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    Home » Crockpot » Crockpot Salsa Chicken

    Crockpot Salsa Chicken

    Published: January 5, 2023 · Jill Baird · 6 Comments

    crock pot salsa chicken ingredients in a slow cooker

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    crockpot salsa chicken

    This Crockpot Salsa Chicken is an easy, flavorful and versatile recipe that is the perfect solution for busy weeknights.  It’s got tender, juicy shredded chicken breasts covered in creamy salsa sauce that tastes great in tacos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, nachos or served over rice.

    Jump to:
    • Easy Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
    • Easy Salsa Chicken Burrito Bowls Video Tutorial
    • Ingredients in Crockpot Salsa Chicken
    • How to Make Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Storing Salsa Chicken
    • Crockpot Salsa Chicken Recipe
    • More of the Best Slow Cooker Recipes

    Easy Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

    If you are looking to add more meal prep ideas into your life, you will love this recipe for Crockpot Salsa Chicken.  It takes just a few minutes to gather your ingredients, toss them into the crockpot and be on your way.  The result is tender, juicy chicken in a creamy sauce made from salsa, cream cheese, green chilis and simple seasoning.

    You can serve this slow cooker recipe in so many different ways that your family will never get sick of it.  Our favorite way to serve Salsa Chicken is in burrito bowls, as seen in the short video below.

    It also works great in tacos, enchiladas, nachos or even just served with a squeeze of lime juice over rice, cauliflower rice, mashed potatoes or pasta.  Any leftovers can be stored in the fridge or frozen for a quick and easy meal whenever you need it.

    Easy Salsa Chicken Burrito Bowls Video Tutorial

    Ingredients in Crockpot Salsa Chicken

    • Chicken - I usually use boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe, but chicken thighs would also taste great.
    • Salsa - you can use your favorite jar of salsa, or you could even make your own Homemade Fresh Salsa.  Green salsa, enchilada sauce or chipotle sauce would all taste great, too.
    • Cream Cheese - this makes the sauce super creamy.  I recommend using full fat cream cheese but you could substitute light.  
    • Green Chilis - canned green chilis add a perfect amount of spice to the dish.  You can feel free to use more or less, depending on how mild or spicy you want your salsa chicken.
    • Seasoning - this recipe calls for onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper.  You could also season the chicken with taco seasoning or a dash of cumin.
    A burrito bowl full of salsa chicken, broccoli, rice, sour cream, and more. salsa chicken crockpot, salsa chicken crockpot cream cheese.

    How to Make Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

    1. Add ingredients to the slow cooker.  Place the chicken in the slow cooker, then top with the salsa, cream cheese, green chilies, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.  Stir gently to coat the chicken with sauce.
    2. Cook.  Cover and cook on high for about 3-4 hours or on low for 5-6 hours.
    3. Shred the chicken.  Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place into a bowl. Use two forks to shred it, then return the chicken to the slow cooker.  Stir the shredded chicken and sauce until the sauce is creamy and the chicken is covered.
    4. Serve.  Serve in tacos, burrito bowls, quesadillas and enchiladas or let it cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.  Enjoy!
    A crockpot with shredded chicken and a creamy salsa sauce. cream cheese salsa chicken, crockpot salsa chicken cream cheese, salsa chicken crockpot recipe.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

    For safety reasons, we don’t recommend adding frozen chicken directly into your crockpot.  It takes too long for it to heat up to a safe temperature from frozen, leaving it in the temperature danger zone for longer than is recommended.  If you want to use frozen chicken, it’s best to thaw ahead of time.

    How do I know if chicken is finished cooking in the crockpot?

    The easiest way to know whether or not your chicken has finished cooking is to try and shred it with two forks.  If it won’t shred easily, toss it back in and keep cooking.  The internal temperature needs to reach 165 degrees F for it to be eaten safely, so you can also use a meat thermometer to check.

    Can I freeze Crockpot Salsa Chicken?

    Absolutely!  This is an excellent freezer meal.  Just make sure it is completely cooled, then toss into freezer bags with a little extra sauce and freeze flat.  It can be stored frozen for up to 2 months, then thawed in the fridge overnight.

    Chicken quesadillas made with creamy salsa chicken cut into wedges. chicken salsa crock pot, crockpot chicken and salsa.

    Storing Salsa Chicken

    • Refrigerator: cool completely then transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
    • Freezer: cool completely then transfer to freezer bags and store frozen for up to 2 months.
    • To reheat: you can reheat in the microwave, or add to a saucepan with a splash of water or chicken stock and reheat over medium low heat until warmed through.
    crockpot salsa chicken in a slow cooker
    Print

    Crockpot Salsa Chicken Recipe

    This Crockpot Salsa Chicken is an easy, flavorful and versatile recipe that is the perfect solution for busy weeknights.  It’s got tender, juicy shredded chicken breasts covered in creamy salsa sauce that tastes great in tacos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, nachos or served over rice.
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Mexican, Tex-Mex
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 6 hours
    Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
    Servings 8 people
    Calories 118kcal
    Author The Carefree Kitchen

    Ingredients

    • 4-6 medium Chicken Breasts
    • 2 cups Salsa
    • 8 oz Cream Cheese
    • 1 4-oz can Green Chilis
    • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • ½ teaspoon Pepper

    Instructions

    • Into the bottom of a crockpot, add the chicken breasts, salsa, cream cheese, green chilis, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.  Stir gently to coat the chicken with sauce.  
    • Cover and cook on high for about 3-4 hours or on low for 5-6 hours. 
    • Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place into a bowl. Use two forks to shred it, then return the chicken to the slow cooker. Stir the chicken and sauce until the sauce is creamy and the chicken is covered.
    • Serve in tacos, burrito bowls, quesadillas and enchiladas or let it cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 550mg | Potassium: 228mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 695IU | Vitamin C: 1.2mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 0.4mg

    More of the Best Slow Cooker Recipes

    • Slow Cooker Spare Ribs
    • Tuscan Chicken
    • Kalua Pork
    • Pork Carnitas
    • Pulled Pork
    • Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
    • Chicken Fajitas
    • Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie
    • More Cold Weather Recipes
    • More Best Chicken Recipes

    If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment on this post. I love hearing feedback from you. It helps me and other readers too! If you love Pinterest,  feel free to leave a comment and photo there too.  Also, if you like to share, use the hashtag #thecarefreekitchen on Instagram and tag me @thecarefreekitchen so I can find you and give your post some love. You can also find me on Facebook at The Carefree Kitchen. Thank you!!

    Pinterest pin for Crockpot Salsa Chicken.

    This Crockpot Salsa Chicken is tender, juicy, creamy, delicious and super versatile. Use in tacos, enchiladas, burrito bowls, quesadillas, toss on pizza or nachos or eat over a bowl of rice.

    « Easy Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken
    Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Angie

      April 30, 2021 at 5:50 am

      OMG! So easy and everyone liked it, from my 18 month old, 6 year old and the adults! It was well liked!! We added black beans and Mexican rice. We will make this again!

      Reply
    2. Lauren

      November 30, 2020 at 4:34 pm

      If I wanted to add rice to this, could I cook it in the crock pot with the chicken? When would you add it in?

      Reply
      • The Carefree Kitchen

        January 22, 2021 at 9:51 am

        I haven't tried it with rice. We usually just cook it seperate. Let me know how it goes!

        Reply

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