Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken – This quick and easy, three-ingredient slow-cooker salsa chicken is perfect for simple weeknight meals or meal prep. Use salsa chicken in burrito bowls, simple tacos, on top of mashed potatoes, or in a taco salad.
Making use of your slow cooker if you have own is a great way to ensure you have a delicious dinner on busy weeknights with minimal effort.
This slow cooker salsa chicken recipe requires only a few minutes of prep: simply add the chicken to the crockpot, season it, and pour over your favorite salsa.
You can use homemade salsa or a jar of salsa from the grocery store. Set on high heat for 3 hours and come back to flavorful chicken.
What I love about this easy recipe is that it takes simple ingredients and a little bit of prep and the result is flavorful and versatile.
Use the chicken for anything from rice bowls, sandwiches, quesadillas, and tacos, to salads or wraps.
Pair it with a Mexican Mule, Frozen Strawberry Margarita, or a Jalapeño Watermelon Margarita for an easy and fun summer meal.
Ingredients
See the recipe card for exact amounts.
- chicken: You’ll need 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts for 4-6 servings.
- seasoning: I use my Southwest seasoning because it goes really well with salsa.
- salsa: I use red salsa, and I’ve used both homemade and store-bought salsa in this recipe and both turn out great.
What is Southwest Seasoning?
My southwest seasoning is a blend of chili powder, cumin, coriander, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne powder.
Substitutions
- Seasoning: try taco seasoning instead or my everyday seasoning.
- Salsa: Use your favorite salsa. Try salsa verde!
Instructions
Prep Tips
Step 1. Set the chicken in one layer across the bottom of the slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper and then with the southwest seasoning blend.
Step 2. Pour the salsa on top.
Step 3. Set the slow cooker on high heat for 3-4 hours.
Once the chicken is done, remove it and shred it, and then add the shredded chicken back into the salsa for serving.
Tips for making slow cooker chicken
Can you put frozen chicken in a slow cooker?
No. The USDA recommends thawing frozen chicken before cooking in a slow cooker because frozen pieces will take longer to reach a safe internal temperature which can cause dangerous bacteria to build up.
What to serve with salsa chicken
I love using this easy chicken recipe for chicken wraps. I like to add the chicken, cucumber, red onion, and fresh cilantro to the wrap with some extra salsa and a squeeze of lime juice for a quick dinner.
You can also use this in my taco salad recipe or make a burrito bowl with some Spanish style cauliflower rice, black beans, sour cream, and fresh cilantro, or add your favorite toppings.
Storage
Store cooled leftover salsa chicken in the fridge in an airtight container for about 4-5 days.
FAQs
Salsa chicken takes 3-4 hours on high heat or 6-8 hours on low heat or until the chicken is fully cooked.
Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 16 oz salsa
- 1 tbsp southwest seasoning mix
Instructions
- Lay chicken breasts on the bottom of the slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle with southwest seasoning.
- Top with salsa.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours, or until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove chicken with tongs, to a cutting board. Pull apart with 2 forks, then add back to salsa mix in the crockpot. Serve.
Notes
Nutritional information is an estimate. Values vary based on products used. Read our full Nutrition Disclaimer.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
This post was originally posted on April 6, 2017.
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How simple and delicious does this sound. Perfect to feed a crowd. Awesome to make a batch and have great leftovers for the week too.
Yes, I like leftovers, so this is so perfect!
Believe it or not, I love to add salsa to my chicken dishes though I never tried it in the slow cooker. Looks delish.
I bet it would bake in the oven pretty well too :). I’ll try it next time!
The finish product looks great and I would love to try it since its a few simple steps. I’m sure its delish as well. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Fred, it’s such a simple and rewarding recipe.
Now, THAT’S an easy dinner. Thanks for sharing!
So simple and so tasty 🙂
Only 3 ingredients? I bet it also smells so tasty when you walk in the door at the end of the day, too.
Yes it totally does! 🙂
Looks like my type of wrap! I ll have to find myself some of that seasoning! Is it online?
It’s my own seasoning mix, you can make it yourself in minutes, find it here
That looks so delicious! I love making shredded chicken, my favorite is to put them on top of nachos!
Ya, that would be awesome, great idea!