Crockpot Salsa Chicken

This 3-ingredient crockpot salsa chicken is a dump-and-go recipe. With tender chicken and salsa in the slow cooker, you can come home to an easy chicken taco dinner.

If you've got chicken breasts, a jar of salsa and spices, you've got an easy slow cooker meal with almost no work. This crockpot salsa chicken recipe is perfect for busy nights when you want a dinner you don't have to think about.

The chicken slow cooks in the salsa until it's tender enough to shred with a couple of forks. Serve it in tacos or use it for burritos or enchiladas. If you have an Instant Pot, you can also make it with frozen chicken thighs when you need dinner faster.

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Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this slow cooker chicken.

• Salsa - Use your favorite jarred salsa with no added sugar. Mild, medium, or hot all work depending on how much heat you like.
• Chicken breasts - Boneless, skinless chicken breasts shred easily once they're tender. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work if that's what you have on hand.
• Chili powder - Adds seasoning without adding another long list of ingredients. I make my own chili powder blend in advance so it's always ready to go, but you can also use store-bought.
• Sea salt - Optional depending on how salty your salsa is.

Step-by-step instructions

Here's how to make crockpot salsa chicken.

Add half of the salsa to the bottom of the slow cooker. Place the chicken breasts on top and sprinkle with the chili powder. Spoon the remaining salsa over the chicken.

Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.

Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the salsa. Taste and add more salt or chili powder if needed.

Serve the shredded salsa chicken with your favorite taco fixings.

Variations

Here are a few easy ways to change up this recipe.

• More heat - Stir in a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce after shredding the chicken.
• Extra chiles - Add a small can of Hatch chiles at the same time you add the salsa to the pot.
• Add veggies - A bag of frozen peppers and onions added to the pot along with the salsa and chicken makes a fajita-inspired version.
• Try salsa verde - Swap the regular salsa for your favorite green salsa for a slightly different flavor.

How to serve

Top the finished chicken with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime before serving. I like to set up a taco bar with tortillas, lettuce wraps, avocado slices, and pico de gallo and let everyone serve themselves.

I use grain-free cassava flour or almond flour tortillas. For a crowd, you can also add this quick ground taco meat for a beef or turkey option.

There are plenty more ways to use this shredded chicken, so you can change it up.

• Burrito bowls - Serve the chicken over cauliflower rice with avocado, salsa, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
• Nachos - Add shredded chicken to your favorite tortilla chips with guacamole and a little hot sauce.
• Quesadillas - Use the chicken and cheese (or dairy-free cheese) as a filling for quesadillas for an easy lunch or dinner.
• Taco salad - Serve the chicken over greens with salsa, avocado, lime, and your favorite taco toppings.

Storing

Refrigerator: Let the chicken cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until hot, adding a little of the salsa to keep it moist.

Freezer: Let the chicken cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze in individual portions so you can pull out just what you need. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

More slow cooker chicken recipes

Crock Pot Whole Chicken - Juicy fall-off-the-bone chicken with plenty of leftovers for easy meals throughout the week.

Slow Cooker Chicken Soup - Classic comfort in a bowl that's easy to make and great for soup season.

Crock Pot Cauliflower Chicken Chili - A no-bean chili loaded with vegetables that's always a crowd pleaser on game day.

Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara - A 5-ingredient dump-and-go recipe made with simple freezer and pantry staples.