Crockpot Salsa Chicken

Crockpot salsa chicken combines chunks of tomato, onion, and chiles with incredibly juicy and tender meat. It’s so easy it just about cooks itself!

This fantastically simple recipe is a great option for a night where you don’t feel like spending hours over the stove. Plus, it’s an easy clean up too!

Whether you use store bought or homemade salsa is up to you, but I guarantee this chicken and salsa recipe will garner a spot in your “what’s-for-dinner?” arsenal.

For more “set it and forget it” family favorite dinners, prepare a large batch of sausage and ravioli or my simple creamy mac and cheese. These dishes are equal parts tasty and easy!

Still have a craving for Mexican flavors? Try out these super fun taco stuffed meatballs! A great way to put a twist on your next Taco Tuesday.

Crockpot Salsa Chicken – Tips and Tricks

• Short on salsa? Use a can of diced tomatoes with peppers, jalapenos, or green chiles. This recipe is super forgiving, so get creative!
  
• Add an extra kick. Stir in a couple tablespoons of your favorite Mexican seasoning to really make it pop.
  
• Make it creamy. Include a few tablespoons of cream cheese or stir in some sour cream after you shred the meat.
  
• Tip for easy shredding: Toss the meat in a stand mixer, then set it to Stir with the paddle attachment. It will be completely shredded in about a minute!
  
• Prefer dark meat? You can easily replace the breasts with boneless thighs instead.
  
  Just be sure to use an equal amount by weight and know that they typically take a bit longer to cook.

Serving Suggestions

This slow cooker Mexican chicken is amazing served on a flour or corn tortilla. Toss some corn kernels or a can of drained and rinsed beans into the crockpot for extra filling!

You can also serve it over rice and veggies for a scrumptious rice bowl! If you’re looking for a healthier option, try a bed of lettuce for an easy salad.

Are you a nacho lover? This could be your new favorite way to prepare them.

Simply lay down a layer of tortilla chips, then your chicken and salsa, and top with cheese, black olives, sour cream, and guacamole. YUM!

FAQ – Common Recipe Questions

Can I put raw chicken in a slow cooker?

Yes, as long as they are thawed. For this recipe, boneless breasts will cook in 3-4 hours on High or 6-8 hours on Low.

How do I store leftover slow cooker Mexican chicken?

Once cooled, leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container.

You can also transfer the shredded poultry to a Ziploc freezer bag and store it in the freezer! Use within 3 months for a variety of meals, and a thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Do I need to add liquid to my slow cooker to cook the chicken?

No liquid necessary! As long as the meat is touching the bottom, your crockpot salsa chicken will cook perfectly.

Enjoy!

With love, from our simple kitchen to yours. 

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Other Easy Crockpot Recipes

Crockpot Salsa Chicken

Donna Elick

Crockpot salsa chicken combines chunks of tomato, onion, and chiles with incredibly juicy and tender meat. Make it tonight in just a few hours!

5 stars from 1 review

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Prep Time 2 mins

Cook Time 4 hrs

Total Time 4 hrs 2 mins

Course Main

Cuisine Mexican

Method Slow Cooker

Servings 8

Equipment

• slow cooker

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
• ▢ 16 ounces your favorite salsa
• ▢ salt and pepper , to taste

Instructions

 

• Place chicken breasts on the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour salsa over top.
• Cover and cook for 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. Once cooked through, use 2 forks or meat claws to shred chicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mine usually needs just a pinch.
• Serve and enjoy!

Donna’s Notes

My family loves flautas (flour taquitos). So, I took the leftover salsa chicken and mixed it with cream cheese and Colby Jack and rolled it up. Froze it and when I am ready to make it, I pop it in a preheated 425°F oven for 20 minutes, until tortilla is crisp and the ends are beginning to brown and cooked through and my family goes crazy over them!

To freeze for later use: Prepare taquitos as described. Place taquitos in a resealable freezer bag (1 gallon works great) and store until ready to use. They keep well for 6 months.

I prefer my Easy Blender Salsa Recipe and Rojo’s Fire Roasted Medium Salsa.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 146cal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 503mg | Sugar: 2g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Originally published August 2015, updated and republished December 2021

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