Crockpot Salsa Chicken might just be the EASIEST chicken you ever make! We’re talking just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes prep (yes, you read that right!) Serve it over rice, stuffed in tacos, on top of loaded nachos … the possibilities are endless.
This Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken is one of my most frequently made recipes! I love how it’s so easy to whip up a huge batch of flavorful chicken with hardly any effort. And the result is juicy shredded chicken that tastes amazing.
All you do is add your chicken to the slow cooker, top it with taco seasoning, and pour salsa over the top. Then cook it, shred it, and that’s it – the easiest salsa chicken, slow cooker style!
This salsa chicken Crockpot recipe is so great for prepping ahead. Make it over the weekend or on Monday for easy lunches and dinners all week long. I love that this easy salsa chicken recipe can be served up so many different ways, so it never gets boring.
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Easily customizable – Prefer a milder salsa chicken recipe? Use a salsa with mild or no heat. Like it spicy? Grab the spiciest salsa you can find for loads of heat.
- Perfect for busy weeknights – Slow cooker dinners are the best thing to happen to weeknights! Just some quick prep earlier in the day and this chicken with salsa in slow cooker dinner practically serves itself.
- Family friendly – This tender, saucy shredded chicken is always a hit with everyone, young and old.
- Excellent meal-prep/freezer meal – This slow cooker salsa chicken is so perfect for meal prep. Whip up a batch over the weekend then use this easy salsa chicken in tacos, burritos, tostadas, nachos … sky’s the limit! It’s super freezer friendly, too.
Recipe Notes
This Crockpot Salsa Chicken recipe is as simple as promised! Just three ingredients for a family friendly meal.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Crockpot Salsa Chicken to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Chicken – Two pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
- Taco seasoning – Pick up your favorite taco seasoning at the store, or try my homemade taco seasoning recipe (it’s so easy!)
- Salsa – You’ll need one 16-ounce jar of salsa. Grab mild, medium, or hot – whichever heat level you prefer.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Crockpot Green Salsa Chicken– Use a tangy green salsa such as salsa verde for slow cooker salsa verde chicken.
- Creamy Crockpot Salsa Chicken– Stir in a cup of sour cream after shredding the chicken.
- Cheesy Crockpot Salsa Chicken– Stir in 4 ounces of cream cheese and 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar after shredding the chicken.
- Crockpot Southwest Salsa Chicken– Add 1 can of drained, rinsed black beans with the salsa. Stir in 1 cup of frozen corn kernels after shredding the chicken.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Crockpot Salsa Chicken.
Lay the chicken in the bottom of the Crock Pot.
Season the chicken with taco seasoning then pour salsa over the top.
Cook on low until the chicken is cooked through, then shred the chicken.
Stir the chicken back together with the juices in the crockpot.
Recipe Tip
- Use two forks to shred the chicken – Hold on to the chicken with one fork, and shred the chicken with the other. You can do this to the chicken right in the Crock Pot – super easy!
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Prep ahead – Add the ingredients to your slow cooker Crock the day before and refrigerate. A few hours before you’re going to be eating, pull it out and turn it on.
- Freeze it – This Crockpot chicken and salsa can be frozen before or after cooking it. See “Freezer Meal Instructions” for more info.
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this Crockpot Salsa Chicken recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze before cooking
- Add the chicken, taco seasoning, and salsa to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag.
- Label and freeze for up to 6 months.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge then transfer to the Crock Pot in the morning. Cook as directed.
How to Freeze Crockpot Salsa Chicken After Cooking
- Cook the salsa chicken recipe as directed. Let cool.
- Transfer to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. You can freeze it in individual portions or all together. Label and freeze.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge. Warm in the microwave or gently on the stovetop before serving.
What to Serve with Crockpot Salsa Chicken
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of salsa and taco seasoning, it will pair well with many of your favorite Tex-Mex and southwestern side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
- Easy Mexican Rice or Southwest Rice
- Mexican Style Crock Pot Refried Beans or Crock Pot Black Beans
- Mexican Corn Salad
Crockpot Salsa Chicken Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Crockpot Salsa Chicken Tacos– Stuff hard taco shells or soft taco-sized tortillas with this salsa chicken recipe plus avocado, cheese, lettuce, and cilantro.
- Salsa Chicken Burritos– Add rice and chicken to the middle of a large flour tortilla. Top with salsa and cheese, then wrap up and serve.
- Salsa Chicken Quesadillas– Add salsa chicken and cheddar cheese to a flour tortilla and fold it over. Fry on both sides until golden brown and melted through.
- Salsa Chicken Enchiladas– Roll salsa chicken inside tortillas and line them up in a baking dish. Cover with enchilada sauce and shredded cheese. Bake until warmed through.
- Chicken Taco Salad– Use Crockpot Salsa Chicken for the taco meat in this Classic Taco Salad recipe. The swap is delicious!
Recipe FAQ’s
How long should chicken be slow-cooked?
Chicken should be slow-cooked for 3-3.5 hours at least. You can check for doneness by inserting an instant read thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. If the temperature reads 165°F, it’s done.
Does crockpot chicken get more tender the longer you cook it?
Chicken cooked low and slow does become more tender the longer it’s cooked. However, it can also become more dry, which is why a recipe like this Crockpot Salsa Chicken is great because the chicken is kept moist due to the liquid it’s cooked in.
More EASY Chicken Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy chicken recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Slow Cooker Chicken with Potatoes & Green Beans
- Crockpot Green Chile Chicken
- Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken
- Crock Pot BBQ Chicken
Crockpot Salsa Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, or chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 16 ounces salsa, 1 jar
Instructions
- Place the chicken in the bottom of the crockpot.
- Season chicken with taco seasoning, then pour the salsa over the chicken.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-3½ hours, or until chicken is cooked through.
- Once done, shred the chicken and mix back into the juices in the crockpot.
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