Description
A hearty Slow Cooker Corn Rice Salsa Chicken Soup that blends tender chicken, brown rice, corn, chickpeas, black beans, and picante sauce for a protein‑packed, Mexican‑inspired bowl. Perfect for meal prep and family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup brown rice
- 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
- 1 (15 oz) can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained
- 1 cup picante sauce or salsa
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with juice
- 4 cups water
- 4 Tbsp taco seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 lime, juiced
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Sour cream (optional topping)
- Shredded cheddar cheese (optional topping)
- Tortilla chips (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, cumin, and smoked paprika.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown the chicken pieces for 2‑3 minutes per side; transfer to slow cooker.
- Add brown rice, corn, chickpeas, black beans, diced tomatoes (with juice), picante sauce, water, and taco seasoning to the slow cooker; stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6‑8 hours or on high for 3‑4 hours, until chicken is tender and rice is cooked.
- Shred the chicken directly in the pot using two forks and stir to incorporate.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lime juice if desired.
- Serve hot, topped with chopped cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheddar, and crushed tortilla chips.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in taco seasoning for 30 minutes before browning. Adjust heat level by choosing mild or hot picante sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: slow cooker, chicken soup, Mexican, easy dinner, one pot, comfort food