Slow Cooker Pinto Beans and Chicken
21 CommentsUpdated Sep 11, 2026
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Slow Cooker Pinto Beans and Chicken recipes are delicious, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights or weekends. This dump-and-go recipe makes prep time minimal and you’ll have enough cooking time to get everything done just before dinnertime.
When you're looking for quick and tasty food to cook, the last thing you want is to prepare something that calls for many ingredients. With this chicken and pinto beans recipe, there are only two main ingredients, and the rest is water and seasonings.
I love that there's no need to cook the chicken first or even soak the beans overnight. Not to mention, this is a great recipe when you want something healthy for dinner. We also make chipotle chicken bowls, which have fewer ingredients.
Key Ingredients
Here is all you need for these pinto beans and chicken. Find the full recipe in the recipe card below the images.
- Chicken: Boneless skinless chicken breasts are added directly into the crock pot and shredded there as well.
- Pinto Beans: As I mentioned earlier, you don't have to soak the beans prior. You will need to give them a good wash to rinse off any dirt and debris. We also make Slow Cooker Frijoles Puercos with these beans.
- Water: Used to create a broth-like base for the dish.
- Seasonings: A white onion is diced, fresh garlic minced, along with oregano, cumin, and chili powder - all added before cooking. The salt is added later.
How to Make Pinto Beans and Chicken
Step One - Add the rinsed beans, chicken, onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and oregano to the crockpot. Do not add the salt yet.
Step Two - Pour in the water and give it a little stir. Cover and cook on HIGH for 6-7 hours or until the beans are very tender.
Step Three - After cooking time is done, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker with 2 forks.
Step Four - Add the salt to taste. Serve, eat, and enjoy!
My Serving Suggestions
Here is how we serve this chicken and pinto beans:
- The best way to serve this is as "burrito bowls" and top with your favorite burrito toppings such as shredded iceberg lettuce, shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions (diced or chopped), fresh cilantro, salsa, and diced tomatoes.
- This pinto beans and chicken recipe makes an amazing addition to rice and nachos. If drained of the sauce, you can place some inside of tortillas.
More Slow Cooker Recipes with Pinto Beans
For bold, flavorful meals, Crockpot Spicy Pinto Beans and Charro Beans bring the heat with smoky spices and savory add-ins like bacon or jalapeños—perfect for taco night or as a hearty side.
Easy Refried Bean Soup is creamy, comforting, and easy to make, ideal for a cozy dinner or meatless meal. My Slow Cooker Pinto Beans recipe is made from scratch and has plenty of pinto beans.
Hearty options like Slow Cooker Pinto Beans and Ham or Pinto Beans and Beef turn pantry staples into filling, protein-packed dinners with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. dried pinto beans
- 2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, (can use 1.5 - 2 lbs.)
- 1 white onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 2 Tbsp. chili powder
- 2 tsp. cumin
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 7 cups water
- 1 tsp. salt, (WAIT TO ADD)
Toppings
- shredded iceberg lettuce
- shredded cheddar cheese
- sour cream
- sliced green onions
- diced tomatoes
- tortilla chips
Instructions
- Rinse the beans, and sort through them, making sure there are no rocks or dirt clumps. (No need to soak). Add the chicken, onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, oregano and water. Wait to add the salt.
- Stir. Cook on HIGH for 6-7 hours or until the beans are ultra tender.
- After cooking time is done, shred the chicken, you can do this right in the slow cooker with 2 forks.
- Add the salt to taste. For creamier beans, take one cup of the beans and mash with a fork, add back to the slow cooker and stir.
- Spoon into bowls, and top with desired toppings.
- Enjoy!
Sarah's Notes
- Nutritional values do not include toppings.
- Add any remaining soup to an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat it on the the stove top over medium high heat until warmed throughout. You don't want to bring it to a boil.
- You can substitute the pinto beans for white beans or black beans.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
All I have is canned pinto beans. Could I use those?