Cafe Rio Slow Cooker Chicken and Cilantro Rice Recipe

Name: Cafe Rio Slow Cooker Chicken and Cilantro Rice Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 390 min
Total time: 405 min
Ingredients: 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 8 ounces Italian dressing ((light or fat free) - about half a bottle); 1 Tablespoon cumin; 1 Tablespoon chili powder; 2 cups uncooked brown rice; 2 cups fresh cilantro (chopped); 1 cup salsa verde (green salsa); 1 bunch green onions (sliced); 4 cups water; pinch of salt

Our Cafe Rio copycat recipe for slow cooker chicken and cilantro rice tastes just like the real deal. It's healthy, simple, and delicious.

Cafe Rio Slow Cooker Chicken is a whole family favorite recipe and one made with simple ingredients that make the best burrito bowls with chicken and the best Mexican rice like any other cafe rio recipes you’ve tried.

Cafe Rio Slow Cooker Chicken and Cilantro Rice in a bowl with toppings

This is a personal favorite since it is a healthy delicious chicken recipe that I can pair with my favorite toppings and enjoy the leftovers for an easy dinner or lunch recipe.

For this yummy recipe, serve the chicken and copycat cilantro lime rice with some pico de Gallo and tortilla chips for your next taco Tuesday.

Ingredients used to make Cafe Rio Slow Cooker Chicken:

Chicken

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or chicken thighs)
Italian dressing (light or fat free) – about half a bottle
Cumin
Chili powder

Rice

Uncooked brown rice
Fresh cilantro chopped
Salsa verde green salsa
Green onions sliced
Water
Salt

How to make Cafe Rio Slow Cooker Chicken:

Cafe Rio Slow Cooker Chicken shredded in the slow cooker

Mix cumin, chili powder & dressing in bowl.
Place frozen chicken breasts in crock pot.
Pour mixture over chicken & cover.
Cook on high for 5 hrs or on low for 7 to 8. Shred chicken in the crockpot and mix it well.

Wash and chop the cilantro. Mix the cilantro with 2 cups of water and pour in the pan for cooking the rice. Add two more cups of water, the salt, Salsa Verde, and onion. Bring to a boil. Stir in the rice in the boiling water. Cover and turn down heat to very low; steam for 30 minutes. Makes about 10 servings.
Put it all together with Toppings:
Cook whole wheat burrito tortillas on non-greased skillet 10-15 seconds on each side.
Put Chicken, Cilantro Rice, black beans, avocado, lowfat cheese, cilantro, tomatoes, (I also added red pepper, green onions and spinach) inside of tortilla.
Add anything else you like (fat free sour cream, salsa, etc.).
Roll up your tortilla and eat your delicious and healthy Cafe Rio Burrito!

Cafe Rio Slow Cooker Chicken and Cilantro Rice in a bowl with toppings surrounded by toppings

Can this become a taco?

Of course, it can! Simply use your favorite corn tortillas or flour tortilla and use your favorite toppings for cafe rio chicken tacos.

Toppings for this copycat cafe rio chicken recipe

This copycat recipe does not need too many ingredients to be delicious and the best Mexican flavor. You can keep this a simple recipe or get extravagant with it! Here are some of my favorite things to use with this easy recipe and favorite taco toppings:

Olives
Banana Peppers
Red Onions
Lettuce
Refried Beans
Spanish Rice
Black Beans
Sour Cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
Guacamole
Avocado
Jalapeños
Tomatoes
Bell Peppers

How to store this tasty chicken recipe:

Store the café Rio chicken in the refrigerator in an airtight container. The leftover chicken will be great for dinner the next night or stay delicious for 4-5 days.

What to serve with this cafe rio shredded chicken recipe:

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Serves: 10