Slow Cooker Salsa Lime Chicken–so you have frozen chicken breasts in the freezer and need to make dinner? Throw them in the slow cooker with some salsa, lime juice and some seasonings and you’ll get perfectly shreddable chicken that you can serve in burritos, enchiladas, tacos, salads or quesadillas. Dinner can’t get easier than this!
Get the INSTANT POT version of the recipe here
Slow Cooker Salsa Lime Chicken
I am one of those people that NEVER have thawed meats. I never remember to put the meat in the fridge the night before to thaw. That means I’m constantly using my Instant Pot and slow cooker to cook frozen meats. Technically you’re not “supposed” to cook frozen meats in the slow cooker but I’m a rule breaker…or maybe I’m just lazy. I am okay with cooking frozen chicken in the slow cooker because it’s not one huge solid chunk of meat. All you do to make this easy slow cooker salsa lime chicken recipe is just add 3 frozen chicken breast halves (about 2 1/4 lbs) to the slow cooker and add in lime juice, salsa, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder and kosher salt. Let the chicken cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours then shred it up and serve.
More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
What Slow Cooker Did You Use?
To cook this Instant Pot Salsa Lime Chicken I used my 6 quart oval Kitchenaid slow cooker. I love this slow cooker (you can see me talking about it in a video here). It cooks low and evenly. I love the medium heat choice because most slow cookers that I’ve seen only have the option of cooking on low or high. If you’re going to buy just one slow cooker, this is the one that I recommend.
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Slow Cooker Salsa Lime Chicken (from frozen)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Total Time: 37 minute
Description
So you have frozen chicken breasts in the freezer and need to make dinner? Throw them in the slow cooker with some salsa, lime juice and some seasonings and you’ll get perfectly shreddable chicken that you can serve in burritos, enchiladas, tacos, salads or quesadillas. Dinner can’t get easier than this!
Ingredients
- 3 frozen* boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (2 1/4 lb)
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 cup salsa or picante sauce
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup snipped cilantro
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except for cilantro into the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until chicken is tender.
- Remove chicken and place on a cutting board. Shred the chicken and then return it back into the crock.
- Stir chicken in with the juices. Add in the cilantro. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
*If your chicken is not frozen just cook it for 4-6 hours instead of 6-8 hours.
- Method: Slow Cooker
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I’m getting ready to make this, and I can’t WAIT. It sounds SO good. I also have a ton of rice, I need to use up. Do you have a tip for how I could possibly just cook the rice right along with this, so I’m not dirtying extra pots? I’ve never done rice in a slow cooker before, but I’m sure there has to be a way to do that, right?
Thanks!
You could try in the slow cooker. I have had mixed results with rice in the slow cooker. Sometimes portions are cooked and other portions are still crunchy. I would cook rice for 2-3 hours on high in the slow cooker with the ratio 1 to 1.5 cups broth
I HATE cooking!!! Like really dislike it…having said that, I still have to do it from time to time (my hubby does a lot). This recipe has SAVED MY LIFE!!! First off, it’s so refreshing to read a CROCKPOT recipe that doesn’t require me to do any work beforehand. I mean, isn’t that why people use crockpots?! Secondly, I never remember to thaw so this is great to be able to use frozen chicken. Third and most importantly, IT’S DELICIOUS!! The whole family loves it and it’s now like the 3rd or 4th time I’m making it. I never write comments on recipes but I just hade to tell you how much I appreciate this golden nugget 🙂
★★★★★
Yay!!!! This is so nice to hear. Thanks Courtney!
I was looking for a quick and easy meal with the frozen chicken I had in my fridge. I had forgotten to do any shopping and had limited ingredients. I threw this in the crockpot in the morning and it was just about ready when we got home from church. Perfect after-church lunch!! I didn’t need to make any adjustments.
★★★★★
Nice! I love when that happens!
This is the best recipe. I make it a few times a month at least, and the flavors are so addictive. Love it with Frontera’s double roasted medium salsa. Thanks!!!
I’ll have to try that salsa! Sounds great!
I found this early this morning and knew I had to give it a try. It is very hot and humid in my neighborhood so an easy slowcooker meal makes the house less hot. I changed things up a bit by adding a jar of green enchilada sauce and fresh pico de gallo. I zest, juiced then sliced the limes up and added to the slowcooker. Made more than enough for two meals. One will be shredded chicken tacos and the other will be chicken enchilada casserole. Can’t wait to dig into this dish tonight!
Sounds amazing Barbara! I love those ideas.
I have picky eaters but all of this is GONE after dinner! I have one daughter who just loves tacos, but not the meat (ground beef) that the ‘box’ calls for. She will typically eat a shell with lettuce, cheese, and sour cream. But I found this recipe when I was looking about cooking frozen chicken. OMG. I’ve made it about five times since this covid-19 shut in has started. This is a perfect recipe and the chicken comes out GREAT every time. All three of my kids eat it – and so do we! I am so glad you posted this. Thank you!!
★★★★★
Yay! Lori, thanks for sharing. Glad they all like it!
Delicious and so easy, and my three year old loved it too. Thank you!
★★★★★
You’re welcome! Glad you both liked it 😊
Fantastic recipe. Everyone loved it at work. My kids loved it too.
★★★★★
Thanks for sharing this 😊
Can I leave this on low for 10 hours?
You can, but the chicken will probably get to the point of being overcooked and stringy. It also depends on how hot your slow cooker cooks. Some of mine cook a lot hotter than others. In addition it will depend on how thick your chicken breasts are. Can you have it switch to warm after 8 hours? That’s what I would do if you can!
Goooood stuff! I used fresh salsa from the farm market and cooked on high about 3 hours. Delicious! Threw it on some salads for weekday lunches and mixed up in a bowl of quinoa and rice. Using it for quesadillas tomorrow. Lots of ways to use this recipe!
Sounds so fresh and yummy!
I don’t have any limes on hand… would lemon juice work well as a substitute?
hmmm. maybe. but it will give it a different flavor profile.
Can I use boneless skinless chicken thighs- dark meat for tacos in this recipe?
heck yes and it will taste amazing
I made this today, after doing a quick internet search for crockpot dishes using frozen chicken, and it was a resounding hit with ALL my three kids, who range from 18-11 – it can be tricky keeping them all happy!! SO EASY to make!!! Thank you!!
After trying this recipe and serving it to my grown sons, their feedback was astounding. Just added some spiced up guacamole and wrap in corn tortillas with a side of homemade salsa, it was all gone in no time. Their only complaint, “not enough”!
★★★★★
I’m going to give this a try tonight. It’s 4 pm so I’m hoping it can cook in 2 hours! Can I use homemade salsa?
yes I bet that would work just fine
Just what I was looking for! Love how you can use frozen chicken! I cooked this on high in my crockpot for 3 hours. Tender and easy to shred chicken. Tasty served on tortillas with avocado, tomatoes, sour cream and cheese! I might use the leftovers for enchiladas or over a salad. So good!
★★★★★
Yum! You’re making my mouth water.
What would this be good to pair with? use chicken for savory tacos? on a bed of rice?
yes either of those would be amazing!
Was looking for a quick way to use what I had at home for dinner last night and found your recipe. It was so delicious I went ahead and made it again today. It’s going directly into my weekly meal prep plan for lunch at work. Try adding fresh avocado slices when you serrve…superb. Thank you for posting.
★★★★★
Nice! So good to hear!
I am going to make this today for dinner. I was wondering if u would be able to cook it on high for less time?
Yes you can cook on high for 2-4 hours
I just made this for dinner and oh boy is it delicious. My whole family loved it!!
★★★★