Dinner is easy with this crockpot salsa chicken that is made with only 2 ingredients! Chicken is slow cooked in salsa until tender and perfect to use in tacos, burritos or bowls.
More slow cooker Mexican recipes include slow cooker taco lasagna, slow cooker chicken tinga tacos and easy taco soup recipe!
Table of Contents
Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
This crockpot salsa chicken recipe is constantly on our weekly menu. I like to whip up a batch when meal prepping for the week because of its versatility. Use it for rice bowls, salads, tacos, burritos, enchiladas and quesadillas.
All you need for salsa chicken is 2 simple ingredients: chicken and salsa! Add a few spices if you like. It does not get any easier than that just like when I make my crockpot Mexican chicken!
How to Make Crockpot Salsa Chicken
This is perfect for those days when you just don’t know what to make for dinner. Just pull chicken out from the freezer, dump salsa on top and let the crockpot do the rest!
Place the meat in the bottom of the crockpot and sprinkle with cumin and salt. Then pour the salsa on top. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on slow for 5-6 hours. Once it’s tender, shred with a fork and remove any extra fat. Keep on warm setting until ready to serve.
Instant Pot Method
You can easily make this salsa chicken in your instant pot as well. It’s so easy and is done in 30 minutes! Just place the meat on the rack and add in all the ingredients plus 1/4 cup water. Cook on poultry mode for 18 minutes, then do a natural release.
Favorite Ways to Use Salsa Chicken
- Salads: It’s absolutely perfect for salads. Throw it on top of a Mexican salad or taco salad and add a dollop of guacamole or avocado lime dressing…so so delicious!
- Tacos: We love using it to make tacos. Try using flour/corn tortillas or lettuce wraps. All taste great!
- Burritos: If you’re in the mood for a chicken burrito, this recipe makes it extra easy to make. Just throw it in, wrap the burrito up and bake!
- Bowls: My family loves to make chicken taco bowls. It’s one of our favorites and is a weeknight staple!
- Enchiladas: Whether you’re making creamy chicken enchiladas, enchilada soup or even enchilada pasta, this salsa chicken is the perfect addition.
- Quesadillas: My kids love chicken quesadillas for lunch or dinner. The quesadillas literally take 5 minutes to make when we use this delicious chicken!
Freezing Leftovers
One of the great things about this salsa chicken is that the leftovers are perfect for a freezer meal! Sometimes I’ll double the batch and freeze half just so we have extra on hand. It’s great for busy weeknights and is one less thing you have to worry about when making dinner!
To freeze, simply add to a zip top bag and store in the freezer until ready to use. It will keep for about 2 to 3 months. Then let thaw in the fridge overnight, or run warm water over the bag for a quicker alternative.
Looking for more easy crockpot recipes? Try this crockpot jambalaya, it’s a one pot meal!
More Crockpot Chicken Recipes
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Salsa Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts , about 1 1/2 pounds
- 1 cup salsa
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin or chili powder
- Salt and pepper , to taste
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in the base of your crockpot. Sprinkle the cumin and a little bit of salt onto the chicken. Then pour the salsa over top.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours or slow for 5-6 hours, or until the salsa chicken is tender and easily shreds. Shred and remove any extra fat. Salt and pepper to taste and add more salsa if desired. Keep on warm until ready to serve.
- Use over rice and beans, in tacos, salads, enchiladas, quesadillas, soups and more!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, 5 Ingredients Or Less, Chicken, Cinco De Mayo, Crockpot, Crockpot, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Freezer-Friendly, Freezer-Friendly, Gluten-Free, Low Carb, Mexican, Nut-Free, One Pot, One Pot, Whole 30
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
This was perfect for making burrito bowls with. A great meal prep recipe.
I was short on time for dinner one night and remembered your recipe! I made delicious chicken tacos in no time. My family loved them!
I want to make the salsa chicken in the instant pot.. it say to put in your instant pot on the rack with 1/4 cup water. Do you add the salsa and spices to the pot too?
Yes you will add the salsa and spices to the pot too, just made that more clear. Happy cooking!
Now this is something I could eat all day.
I used to make a salsa chicken dish like this all the time when my husband and I first got married that I haven’t made in years! I should totally add this to the menu plan for next week!
Paige
I love how easy it is! Hope you enjoy! :)
This looks incredible!! I can’t wait to try it!!
This will quickly become a favorite in my house!
This is calling my name! My kind of food!
So adorable! These are just perfect, looks so festive and absolutely delicious!
Wow, I want to eat it every day! I’m sure this is very tasty.
Great recipe. I like all the ingredients in it. This is perfect for me. thank you.
great recipe for my slow cooker, thank you, IO’m already eating a lot of these ingredients pretty regularly but like the extra flavors here, especially slow cooked and the bonus of adding black beans, a bonus to me t least since legumes and proteins like chicken and veg are all a part of the diet I’m on (slow carb)
Being a mom I will always love crockpot meals. Thank you for sharing!