Crockpot Salsa Chicken is one of the easiest slow cooker recipes ever! Starring chicken and salsa, this ridiculously simple salsa chicken recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Serve the shredded salsa chicken in tortillas, over Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice, or over a bed of greens for a flavorful, filling dinner recipe everyone loves!
![Crockpot Salsa Chicken Crockpot Salsa Chicken served over rice, topped with cheese, and cilantro.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Shredded-Crockpot-Salsa-Chicken.jpg)
The Easiest Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe
While I have shared with you my super easy recipes for Instant Pot Chicken Tacos, Shredded Chicken Tacos, and Perfect Taco Meat, it is well past time I shared with you one of the easiest recipes in my cooking arsenal.
Crockpot Salsa Chicken!
This is the ultimate crockpot chicken recipe when you need a quick and easy family meal on the table, yet don’t want to sacrifice nutrition or taste.
Made with chicken, salsa, taco seasoning, lime juice, and beans, Crockpot Salsa Chicken is low in fat, full of flavor, and made with only a handful of ingredients.
6 Simple Ingredients
![Salsa Chicken Ingredients for crockpot salsa chicken labeled on counter.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Recipe-for-Salsa-Chicken.jpg)
Technically, you only need 3 ingredients to make Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican chicken; chicken, salsa, and taco seasoning. I like to add black beans and corn which bulk up the dish and help to feed more mouths for less money, but those are optional additions. I also highly recommend finishing the shredded Mexican chicken with lime juice to brighten the dish and make the flavors pop.
How To Make Crockpot Salsa Chicken
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Season Chicken. I recommend rubbing taco seasoning over the chicken to ensure the chicken is super flavorful. Once seasoned, place the chicken into the base of your slow cooker. It is fine if the pieces slightly overlap.
![Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken Side-by-side photo showing seasoned chicken on a cutting board and then in the slow cooker.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Slow-Cooker-Salsa-Chicken.jpg)
- Add Salsa (and Optional Beans and Corn). Add the beans and corn on top of the seasoned chicken if desired. Then top everything with salsa to cover.
![Crockpot Salsa Chicken Recipe Side by side photo showing corn beans and chicken layered in slow cooker and then topped with salsa.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Crockpot-Mexican-Shredded-Chicken.jpg)
- Slow Cook Chicken and Salsa. Place the lid on the crockpot and cook on Cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Shred Chicken. Remove the chicken to a clean cutting board and shred it with two forks.
![Shredded Mexican Chicken Side-by-side photo showing cooked chicken on cutting board and then photo of shredded salsa chicken on cutting board.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Shredded-Salsa-Chicken.jpg)
- Finish with Fresh Lime Juice. Return the chicken back to the slow cooker, along with the juice of fresh lime, and stir to combine. The acidity and fresh flavor from the lime juice transforms good salsa chicken into great salsa chicken.
![Salsa Chicken Recipe Side-by-side photo showing shredded chicken added to slow cooker then being mixed into crockpot.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Salsa-Chicken-with-Beans.jpg)
Serving Suggestions
Salsa Chicken can be in endless ways, meaning you will never tire of this simple crockpot chicken recipe. Below are a few of my personal favorites.
- As a Rice Bowl: Serve Salsa Chicken over Instant Pot Mexican Rice, Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice, Instant Pot Brown Rice, or cauliflower rice. Top it with shredded cheese, cilantro, and a scoop of guacamole for a delicious and nutritious burrito bowl.
- Use as filling for Burritos or Tacos: Serve the salsa chicken and beans in store-bought or homemade tortillas, with cabbage, cheese, and avocado.
- Make a Quesadilla: Top a tortilla with shredded cheese, layer the chicken and bean mixture in a thin layer over the cheese, sprinkle an additional layer of cheese over the salsa chicken, top with a final tortilla and pan-fry or bake until golden and the cheese has melted. Slice and serve with sour cream.
- Make Taco Salad: Top shredded lettuce with the Salsa Chicken mixture and your favorite toppings. Serve with a side of tortilla chips or top with tortilla strips.
- Use it to make Chicken Enchiladas: Replace the cooked shredded chicken with equal amounts of this crockpot shredded salsa chicken to make Chicken Enchiladas, Salsa Verde Enchiladas, or Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
![Easy Salsa Chicken Recipe Bowl of rice topped with crockpot salsa chicken garnished with cilantro and cheese.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Easy-Salsa-Chicken-Recipe.jpg)
Recipe Modifications
- Use Salsa Verde: Instead of traditional red salsa, switch things and use store-bought or homemade Salsa Verde.
- Use Chicken Thighs: Swap the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs. No other change needed.
- Make It Creamy: After shredding the chicken, add 8 ounces of cubed cream cheese along with the shredded chicken back to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 20-30 minutes stirring every 10 minutes, until the cream cheese has melted into the chicken and bean mixture.
- Make it Spicy: Use hot or spicy salsa or 1 minced jalapeno for a bold, spicy kick of flavor.
- Lower-Sodium: Omit the salt in the homemade taco seasoning and use a low-sodium salsa.
More Easy Crockpot Dinner Recipes
- Crockpot Chicken Chili
- Crockpot Minestrone Soup
- Crockpot Chicken and Rice
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast
- Crockpot Steak Fajitas
- Slow Cooker Carnitas
If you enjoyed this recipe for Crockpot Salsa Chicken, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.
![Bowl of salsa chicken topped with rice, cheese, and cilantro.](https://amindfullmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Slow-Cooker-Salsa-Chicken-Recipe-360x360.jpg)
Crockpot Salsa Chicken
Ingredients
- cooking spray
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast or boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 teaspoons taco seasoning
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans or pinto beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 2 cups red salsa
- 1 lime juiced
- cilantro, cheese, sour cream, pickled jalapeno, etc for serving
Instructions
- Spray the insert of your slow cooker with cooking spray.
- Trim off any fat from the chicken breasts and then rub the taco seasoning over the chicken evenly to coat.
- Place the chicken in the bottom of your slow cooker and top it with black beans and corn. Pour the salsa over the chicken, corn, and beans.
- Place the lid on the crockpot and cook on Cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours.
- Once the chicken reaches 165° F, remove the chicken to a clean cutting board and shred it with two forks. Return the chicken back to the slow cooker, along with the juice of fresh lime. Stir everything together.
- Serve over rice, on tortillas, and top with cilantro, shredded cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, etc.
Kimmie
Delicious easy to make dish! I love all your recipes! Thanks Kristen!
Kristen Chidsey
You are very welcome, Kimmie! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment and review 🙂
Jessica
We love this classic recipe so much! Definitely a go-to at our house! Thanks for sharing.
Melissa
I love this recipe easy, quick and flavorful. Perfect for busy weeknights!
Kristen Chidsey
I am glad you enjoyed, Melissa! I love turning to this recipe on busy weeknights as well.
Kimmie
This dish is delicious and easy to make! I really love your recipes Kristen!
Thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Kimmie! I appreciate you leaving a comment and always am thrilled to hear you are enjoying my recipes!
jess
this was something new that I have never seen and I cannot thank you enough for sharing this amazing recipe
Kristen Chidsey
You are very welcome! I am actually making this for dinner again tonight myself 🙂