Easy Crockpot Salsa Chicken: The Best Set & Forget Recipe
This crockpot salsa chicken is the ultimate set-and-forget meal. With just five minutes of prep, you can toss everything in the slow cooker and come back to tender, flavorful chicken that’s perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, salads, and more.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1.5 cups (360 ml) salsa (medium-heat chunky recommended)
- 1 tablespoon (7 grams) chili powder
- 1 teaspoon (3 grams) cumin
- 1 teaspoon (3 grams) garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon (3 grams) onion powder
- 1 teaspoon (6 grams) fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon (1 gram) black pepper
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened (optional)
- ¼ cup (15 grams) fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Lime wedges (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to mix.
- Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over the chicken. Rub in if desired.
- Pour the salsa evenly over the seasoned chicken. Do not stir.
- Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and shreds easily.
- About 30 minutes before serving, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Stir to combine with the salsa.
- If using cream cheese, cut it into cubes and stir into the hot shredded chicken. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir until fully melted and incorporated.
- Turn the slow cooker to warm and let the chicken rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
- Serve over rice, in tacos, on salads, or as desired. Garnish with cilantro and lime wedges if using.
Notes
For a juicier result, use chicken thighs instead of breasts. If using frozen chicken, add an extra hour to the cooking time. To thicken the sauce, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir into the slow cooker; cook on high for 10 minutes. This recipe doubles easily; ensure your slow cooker is at least 6 quarts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/6
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 32
Keywords: crockpot salsa chicken, slow cooker salsa chicken, easy chicken recipe, set and forget chicken, salsa chicken, shredded chicken, Mexican chicken