Crockpot Salsa Chicken — with just three main ingredients and a few minutes of prep, you can toss this into your slow cooker and let it work its magic. It turns out shockingly flavorful for being so simple, and you can serve it a dozen different ways.
Crockpot Salsa Chicken
These types of recipes are the reason I got into cooking with a slow cooker in the first place so many years ago! With only 3 main ingredients and a couple minutes you can prepare the main part of dinner. This is a true dump and go recipe which is perfect for busy weeknights. The flavor is surprisingly delicious with the short list of ingredients. I had tortillas, cheese and cilantro to go along with it and then I made rice to go with the leftovers.
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs or Breasts
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper
- Salsa–or picante sauce
- Cream Cheese
Steps
Add chicken into bottom of slow cooker. Sprinkle it with the salt and pepper. Dump in the salsa on top and add in the cream cheese.
Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours.
Slice or shred up the chicken and stir it in with salsa mixture in the slow cooker.
Serve the chicken and sauce over rice, in tortillas, etc.
Notes/Tips
- I used a 6 quart oval slow cooker. You can also make this in a 3, 4, 5 or 8 quart slow cooker.
- This recipe is gluten free.
- Use thighs for the juiciest results, but breasts work great too, just don’t overcook them.
- Spice it up with a pinch of cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder or chopped jalapeños.
- Make it cheesy by stirring in shredded cheddar, pepper jack or a handful of Mexican blend before serving.
- Double the batch. The leftovers freeze beautifully and make great burrito filling for busy nights.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Other recipes you can make with salsa are Instant Pot Salsa Rice and Instant Pot Tender Salsa Beef.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve over rice (white, brown, cilantro-lime, or cauliflower rice).
- Spoon into soft tortillas for tacos, burritos, or enchiladas.
- Pile into crispy taco shells with your favorite toppings.
- Use as filling for quesadillas, taquitos, or nachos.
- Build burrito bowls with rice, beans, corn, avocado, and lime.
- Add on top of a green salad with ranch or chipotle dressing.
- Scoop into lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.
- Serve over spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles.
- Stuff into slider buns for easy sandwiches.
- Mix into mac and cheese or a cheesy rice bake.
- Stir into tortilla soup or fold into your favorite pasta dish.
- Use in breakfast burritos, omelets, or spooned over hash browns.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
Crockpot Salsa Chicken
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours on low
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
With just three main ingredients and a few minutes of prep, you can toss this into your slow cooker and let it work its magic. It turns out shockingly flavorful for being so simple, and you can serve it a dozen different ways.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 3/4 cup salsa
- 4 oz cream cheese
Instructions
- Add chicken into bottom of slow cooker. Sprinkle it with the salt and pepper. Dump in the salsa on top and add in the cream cheese.
- Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours.
- Slice or shred up the chicken and stir it in with salsa mixture in the slow cooker.
- Serve the chicken and sauce over rice, in tortillas, etc.
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Slow Cooker
More crockpot chicken recipes…
Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Slow Cooker Chicken Veggie Korma
A rich and creamy mild curry-like dish with tender bites of chicken and vegetables.
Instant Pot/Slow Cooker Chicken Salad
Chicken is pressure cooked quickly or slow cooked and then tossed with the best chicken salad dressing to make a fantastic topping for a bed of lettuce, a bun or croissant.
Greek Chicken Gyros (Instant Pot or Crockpot)
Seasoned chicken served in a soft pita with lemon dill sauce and cucumber tomato salad. It’s a party in your mouth! Make the chicken in your Instant Pot or the Crockpot.
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
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