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Home / Recipes / Chicken Recipes / Crockpot Salsa Chicken

Crockpot Salsa Chicken

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CP

Author:

Kimber Matherne

Updated:

April 14, 2025

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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.

A silver spoon lifts out a serving of Crockpot Salsa Chicken. this Recipe

Table of contents

Toggle
  • Why I LOVE this recipe!
  • Recipe Notes
  • Ingredients + Substitutions
  • Recipe Variations
  • Recipe Step by Step
  • Recipe Tip
  • Recipe Short Cuts
  • Freezer Meal Instructions
  • What to Serve with Crockpot Salsa Chicken
  • Crockpot Salsa Chicken Leftovers
  • Recipe FAQ’s
  • More EASY Chicken Recipes
  • Crockpot Salsa Chicken Recipe

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

Ingredients for Crockpot Salsa Chicken
  • 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.

Chicken breasts in a slow cooker for Crockpot Salsa Chicken.

Lay the chicken in the bottom of the Crock Pot.

Step 2 of making Crockpot Salsa Chicken: Add the salsa and taco seasoning to the Crock Pot.

Season the chicken with taco seasoning then pour salsa over the top.

Shredding the cooked chicken for Crockpot Salsa Chicken.

Cook on low until the chicken is cooked through, then shred the chicken.

A top view of Crockpot Salsa Chicken in the slow cooker.

Stir the chicken back together with the juices in the crockpot.

Recipe Tip

  1. 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.
Crockpot Salsa Chicken on a white plate with a silver fork. Rice and beans are served alongside.

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

  1. Add the chicken, taco seasoning, and salsa to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag.
  2. Label and freeze for up to 6 months.
  3. 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

  1. Cook the salsa chicken recipe as directed. Let cool.
  2. Transfer to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. You can freeze it in individual portions or all together. Label and freeze.
  3. 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 on a white plate with a silver fork. Rice and beans are served alongside.

Crockpot Salsa Chicken

By: Kimber Matherne
5 from 1 vote
The easiest chicken recipe ever also happens to be the tastiest! This versatile, easy, 3-ingredient recipe is so simple to make and can be served over rice, in tacos, on salads, and in so many other ways.
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 3 hours hrs
Total Time: 3 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
6 servings
Rate this Recipe Print Pin SaveSaved!

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.
Last step!Share a picture on Instagram and tag me at @easyfamilyrecipes!

Recipe Notes

How to Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container or zip-top storage bag in the fridge for 3-4 days. 
How to Freeze: This Crockpot Salsa Chicken recipe freezes well. It can be frozen before or after cooking. See “how to freeze” section in the original post for full instructions.
How to Reheat: This can be reheated in the microwave in 30 second increments, stir in between heating. Or you can cover it with tin foil and place into the oven to reheat. 
How to Scale: This recipe can easily be doubled if you are feeding a crowd (I recommend using a large Crock Pot) or halved for smaller portions.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 196kcal (10%), Carbohydrates: 6g (2%), Protein: 33g (66%), Fat: 4g (6%), Saturated Fat: 1g (6%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 97mg (32%), Sodium: 739mg (32%), Potassium: 754mg (22%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 3g (3%), Vitamin A: 486IU (10%), Vitamin C: 4mg (5%), Calcium: 29mg (3%), Iron: 1mg (6%)

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2 responses

  1. Kelly
    April 23, 2025

    Made for dinner and it was hit with the whole house- soooo easy too! Perfect for a busy ⚾️🥎mom!

    Reply
  2. Sarah H
    April 20, 2025

    5 stars
    Very good! Easy and chicken breast was very moist and I even had it in there more like 4.5 hrs due to getting home later than intended.

    Reply
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I’m Kimber. Mom of 3 and home cook.

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Two images in a collage. The first shows the ingredients for Crockpot Salsa Chicken. The second is a top view of a plate with rice, chicken, and beans. The text reads, "Crockpot Salsa Chicken"
A vertical collage of four images showing the steps for making Crockpot Salsa Chicken
Two images showing Crockpot Salsa Chicken. The text reads, "Crockpot Salsa Chicken"
Two images, the first shows Crockpot Salsa Chicken in a white crock. The second shows the chicken on a plate with beans and rice. The text reads, "Crockpot Salsa Chicken"
Two images, the first shows Crockpot Salsa Chicken on a plate. The second has the ingredients for the dish. The text reads, "Crockpot Salsa Chicken"
Four images showing the steps for making Crockpot Salsa Chicken. The text reads, "Crockpot Salsa Chicken"
Crockpot Salsa Chicken on a white plate with a silver fork. Rice and beans are served alongside.
A silver spoon lifts out a serving of Crockpot Salsa Chicken.

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