It’s no secret that I love my crock-pot. I use it year ’round to cook beef, chicken, pork, farro, and more. And today, I’m introducing you to my most-frequently-made, #1 favorite, absolute easiest crock-pot recipe: Slow-Cooker Salsa Chicken! I have been making this recipe for years, but I’ve never shared it on the blog until now. Why? Because it’s so darn simple that it’s almost NOT a recipe. It has a mere 4 ingredients + a whopping 2 minutes of prep time to get everything layered. That said, I make this recipe frequently for family, friends, parties, and potlucks, and it is the recipe that I get the most requests for. I’ve emailed out this simple little recipe probably 100 times, so I figured it was time to write it up properly, grab a few pictures, and share it with y’all!
Basically, you take boneless/skinless chicken breasts, taco seasoning, diced green chiles, and your favorite salsa. Layer those ingredients as I’ve pictured, cook on LOW for 4-6 hours, and the finished result is a chicken that is wonderfully tender, flavorful, versatile, and crowd-pleasing. I’ve used it for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, rice + bean bowls, and more. Note that there are similar recipes out there for two-ingredient salsa chicken (using only chicken + salsa), which I’ve tried, but I just find them a bit too one-dimensional for me. With the added taco seasoning and green chiles, it kicks it up to a whole ‘nother level, with tons more flavor + depth. I can’t wait for y’all to give this super simple recipe a try – I think you are going to love it!
Slow-Cooker Salsa Chicken
serves 6-8, a Fearless Homemaker recipe
Ingredients
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 packet taco seasoning of your choice
1 small can (4.5 oz) mild diced green chiles, drained
1.5 cups salsa of your choice (I typically use Private Selection Restaurant Style Salsa)Directions
Arrange three chicken breasts side-by-side in a single layer in the bottom of your crock-pot. Sprinkle evenly with half of the taco seasoning. Top with half of the green chiles. Top with half of the salsa.
Do a second layer of the same – three chicken breasts, the rest of the taco seasoning, the rest of the chiles, and the rest of the salsa.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours, until the chicken is fall-apart tender. Shred with two forks and toss with as much remaining cooking liquid as you like. I typically toss it with all the remaining cooking liquid, because my family likes a juicier chicken. If you want a less-juicy chicken, simply toss with less liquid.
Serve in tacos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, rice and bean bowls, and more. — the possibilities are endless!
print this recipe
be a fan on facebook
follow on pinterest
follow on instagram
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
This chicken looks wonderful. And so easy! Sounds like one I’ll definitely have to add to my collection.
Slow cookers are the best thing to ever happen to shredded meats. I had done the salsa and seasoning thing to chicken in the slow cooker before but I never thought to use green chiles too!
love how simple this recipe is! The chicken looks like it tastes great and can be used so many different ways!
Love slow cook, this chicken must taste awesome
This looks like one comforting and hearty dish. Slow cooked meals are so perfect for the cool Autumn weather we have here in Australia now – so thanks for the recipe.
Nothing better during the week, can’t wait to add this one to my list!
This sounds great, I’ve been braising chicken a ton lately while working from home, but I’ll be back in an office soon and I can’t wait to start using my crockpot regularly again! This would make amazing taquitos!!
I love foods like this one. Quick and easy to make and so healthy. 10/10 from me, sweetie :)!
i love quick recipes like this. I made a pork tenderloin like this too
I haven’t tried pork tenderloin in the slow-cooker yet (mostly because I do an oven-roasted recipe that’s so crazy easy + delish that it’s hard to stray from it!) but I have done pork shoulder/Boston butt in the slow-cooker and I love it!
I love how easy this is! I love salsa chicken, this is going to get added to next week’s dinner menu
Love such recipes where the effort is minimal and the end result is finger licking good. Thanks for sharing.
Hey there! Love that you posted this. Can you post your black beans too?? And maybe that clantro rice too … 😉 basically i want your mexican goodness!!!
Ha! Here’s the Cilantro-Lime Rice: http://www.fearlesshomemaker.com/2012/08/cilantro-lime-rice/ and I’ll have to properly measure + type up the black beans, too! Basically, I use sauteed onion/garlic, black beans, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, bay leaf, a bit of tomato sauce, chicken or vegetable broth, + a pinch of nutmeg. Mmmmmm!
I love recipes like this – they are perfect for a weeknight meal and lots of easy work lunch leftovers, too!
All hail the Slow Cooker Queen. All of your recipes sound wonderful, and this is no exception. I have got to try this – I know Bart will flip for it. I hope all is well with you and yours.
You are so sweet, Adri – thank you for your kind words, as always!
looks fabulous! i absolutely love recipes like this… i used to make them all the time but have stopped lately. not sure why! yum!
I love all your slow cooker meals! This chicken looks so flavorful and delicious! Love how simple it is too! Perfect for those busy nights!
Another amazing way to prepare the chicken, something very different and it looks super yummy. Was it spicy? I am not a big fan of spicy food.
Good question – this dish WILL be spicy if you use a spicy salsa or taco seasoning, but if you use a mild version of both, it’s not spicy at all. So, choose accordingly, so it won’t be spicy for you! =)
About how many pounds of chicken is this recipe for?
{ 1 trackback }