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Yes you can make chicken in the crockpot with salsa! This 2 ingredient slow cooker recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or for when you’re doing meal prep. And you can even start with frozen chicken if you want!
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Easy Salsa Chicken in the Crockpot
Someone told me about making salsa chicken in the crockpot years and years ago and this 2 ingredient recipe has been a staple on my dinner table ever since.
Two ingredients in the slow cooker make Dorothy a happy home cook because it’s easy, fast (even though it’s slow) and delicious. We eat this shredded chicken alone, with rice and vegetables, on salad or in tacos (which is my favorite). You can even add leftovers to casseroles!
Versatile chicken recipes like this make getting dinner on the table so much easier – and this recipe is family approved. Even Jordan eats it!
Crockpot Salsa Chicken cooks chicken and salsa in the slow cooker for an easy family meal!
2 Ingredients Needed
That’s what I love about this recipe – I always have these two ingredients on hand. I never even have to go to the grocery store to make this dinner recipe.
- Chicken: Boneless skinless chicken breasts, thawed or frozen
- Jar of salsa – use red or green salsa, your choice
- Tip: use a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup! You can buy these liners where you find plastic bags and foil and they make cleanup a breeze!
How to make Salsa Chicken in the Crockpot
- Place the chicken in the crockpot and top with salsa.
- Cook on low for 2-4 hours.
- Once the chicken is done cooking, just shred it and stir it up in the salsa. It’s ready to eat!
Cooking Chicken in a Slow Cooker
How long do you slow cook chicken breasts?
Crockpots with chicken breasts are notoriously dry, so you have to be a little careful when making boneless chicken in a slow cooker.
I set my crockpot on high for 3 hours but the chicken is usually done around 2 hours. I check the chicken with an instant read thermometer and when it’s at 165°F it’s done.
Once you make chicken in your slow cooker a few times you’ll know how long it takes and then you won’t have to watch it.
Frozen chicken in the crockpot
Yes you can – I’ve done it a lot in a pinch. Technically I can’t recommend cooking frozen chicken in the slow cooker (liability) but it can be done. If you set it on high for 4 hours, be sure to start checking it at 3 hours and also make sure that the chicken is in a single layer, not all clumped together.
Serving Suggestions
We eat this chicken recipe in so many ways:
- On taco salad
- Served with rice or beans and a vegetable
- Tacos are my favorite way to use salsa chicken. We like crunchy tacos or soft tacos and I always make a selection of toppings like cheese, lettuce, olives and avocado. We do Taco Tuesday like three times a week!
Tip From Dorothy
Expert Tips
- Use a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup
- Make sure to check your chicken after 2 hours. It’s done when it reaches 165°F.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to one month.
FAQs
You can use any kind of salsa you like – use one you love to eat with chips so you know you’ll like it.
Boneless chicken breasts will take about 2-3 hours on high. Be sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken after about 2 hours – once it reaches 165°F it’s done.
Crockpot Salsa Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts see note
- 1 15-16 ounce jar salsa red or green
Instructions
- If desired, line slow cooker with a liner.
- Place chicken and salsa in a 5-7 quart slow cooker.
- Cover and set on high for 3 hours. After 2 hours, check the temperature of the chicken with an instant read thermometer. Once chicken is at 165°F it’s done cooking. (This will take 2-3 hours depending on your crockpot.)
- Alternately, set the crockpot to low for 4-6 hours and start checking it after 3 hours.
- Shred the chicken with two forks and stir it up with the salsa.
- Serve on salad, plain or in tacos. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to one month.
Recipe Notes
- You can use up to 2 pounds chicken breasts for this, just make sure they make a single layer (as single layer as possible) on the bottom of the crockpot.
- Use my homemade salsa recipe if you want!
I love this chicken taco recipe!!! It is a very versatile recipe & so very easy!!!! We made chicken tacos & it was a real hit with the family!!! You can also put it over rice or on a salad. This recipe will be one of our crock pot staple go-to recipes in our family from now on!!!