Crockpot Salsa Chicken
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Apr. 27, 2025
I’ve made this Crockpot Salsa Chicken countless times during my 20+ years of feeding an active, on-the-go family. I’ve also made it for potlucks and meal prep, as this recipe boasts bold flavor with minimal fuss.
In This Article
- Video: watch us make this Recipe
- Ideal for Meal Prep
- Why This Recipe Stands Out
- Key Recipe Ingredients
- Substitutions And Variations
- Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- How To Prep Ahead
- What To Serve With Crockpot Salsa Chicken
- Did you make this?
- Crockpot Salsa Chicken Recipe
- Commonly Asked Questions
- More to Cook And Eat
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Video: watch us make this Recipe
Ideal for Meal Prep
This Crockpot Salsa Chicken is perfect for meal prepping. I love tossing everything into the slow cooker earlier in the day and returning 6-8 hours later to a dish that’s super tender and packed with flavor. This crockpot salsa chicken can be portioned out for tacos, burrito bowls, salads, or wraps all week long.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
We love a good slow-cooker recipe, and this Easy Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken is as good as it gets. Here’s why we’re obsessed:
- Set It and Forget It: Let your slow cooker do the work. After you’ve gone about your day, your family will sit down to juicy, flavorful chicken with zero fuss, a lot like our Crockpot Whole Chicken.
- Bold Flavor, Simple Ingredients: This recipe uses everyday pantry staples, but the flavor is bold, bright, and anything but basic. It reminds me of our Salsa Verde Chicken.
- Use it in Multiple Ways all Week: Tacos, burrito bowls, salads – you name it. This chicken works in so many ways, and I never get bored, just like this Pork Carnitas recipe.
- Popular at Potlucks and Gatherings: This is one of my favorites for potlucks, as everyone loves building their own plate. Get ready for people to sing your praises when you serve this up.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs – Thighs tend to stay moist and tender, even after long hours of cooking. You can use chicken breasts, but thighs are always more tender. You can also opt for a combination of both chicken breasts and thighs.
- Salsa – For the best flavor, I prefer using homemade salsa that I’ve made ahead of time, but you can use your favorite brand. Do use a good quality brand, as it affects the flavor of your final dish.
- Ground Cumin – This spice adds a warm, earthy flavor that complements the salsa and chicken beautifully.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:
- Protein: While we love using boneless, skinless chicken thighs in this recipe, feel free to substitute with chicken breasts or a combination of the two.
- Add Veggies: You can add any of your favorite vegetables to this dish. Some great options include bell peppers and onions.
- Spicier: Add one or two chopped jalapeños or 1-2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes to suit your desired spice level.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Thoroughly dry chicken with clean paper towels and place it in the slow cooker.
- Mix salsa and seasonings, and pour over chicken.
- Cook on low for 6 hours if defrosted or 8 hours if frozen.
- One hour before finishing cooking time, carefully shred the chicken.
- Add corn and beans to the slow cooker and finish cooking.
- Serve the chicken with your choice of toppings and enjoy!
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our favorite prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Entirely Make-Ahead: Store this in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for later. When you’re ready to eat, just heat it up, and it’s good to go.
- Double for Later: Serve some tonight and divvy the rest up for this week. Or, freeze in freezer-friendly containers with lids for future meals.
What To Serve With Crockpot Salsa Chicken
Rice Dishes
- We love piling Crockpot Salsa Chicken over a bed of Cilantro Lime Rice. The bright citrus and fresh herbs balance the savory chicken perfectly.
- It also goes great with Coconut Rice if you want something a different, or stick with Easy Mexican Rice for a classic combo.
Burritos and Tacos
- This chicken is ideal for using in burritos and tacos. We load it up with rice, beans, cheese, and all the toppings for a quick and satisfying meal.
Hearty Salad
- We like turning Crockpot Salsa Chicken into a hearty Mexican-style salad. Just toss it over chopped romaine with black beans, corn, avocado, and tortilla strips.
- It also goes great with a drizzle of creamy cilantro dressing or a squeeze of lime for a fresh, flavorful meal.
Did you make this?
Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!
Crockpot Salsa Chicken
This healthy Crockpot Salsa Chicken is incredibly flavorful, tender, and versatile. Serve it in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or in a bowl over rice. It's destined to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 24 oz salsa, your favorite brand, or homemade
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 ½ cups frozen sweet corn kernels
- 14.5 oz black beans, drained, from a can
- salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
Optional for Serving:
- avocado, freshly sliced
- shredded cheddar cheese
- lime wedges
- salsa
Instructions
- Towel dry chicken pieces. Place chicken in the crockpot.
- Mix salsa, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground cumin together. Spoon over chicken.
- Cook on low for 6 hours if chicken is defrosted, 8 hours for frozen chicken.
- 1 hour prior to finishing, remove the chicken and shred it with forks.
- Place the shredded chicken back in the crockpot along with corn and beans. Finish cooking for the last 1 hour. If needed, season with additional salt and pepper.
- Serve salsa chicken with your choice of toppings, with extra salsa on the side if desired.
Notes
- We recommend chicken thighs for tender results. If using whole skinless/boneless chicken breasts, use 4 chicken breasts. Note that chicken breasts tend to be drier.
- Always pat your chicken dry before placing it in the slow cooker. This helps the seasonings and salsa to stick better and also gives the chicken a nicer texture.
- If you’re using frozen chicken, make sure to adjust your cooking time. You’ll need to cook it on low for 8 hours instead of 6.
- Love a little heat? Choose a spicy salsa for this recipe. If you prefer a milder flavor, go for a mild salsa.
- Double the recipe – serve some tonight and divvy the rest up for this week. Or, freeze in freezer-friendly containers with lids for future meals.
- This recipe is part of our Meal Prep Recipes Collection.
- Serve this salsa chicken on top of Cilantro Lime Rice. It’s also great in soft or crunchy tacos, burritos, or in a Mexican style salad.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 26.6g | Protein: 23.9g | Fat: 3.8g | Saturated Fat: 0.6g | Cholesterol: 55.2mg | Sodium: 993mg | Fiber: 7.9g | Sugar: 6.4g
Commonly Asked Questions
Do I need to add any liquid to the slow cooker?
No, you don’t need to add any liquid to the slow cooker. The salsa itself will provide enough moisture for the chicken to cook and become tender.
How do I know when the chicken is done?
The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). If you don’t have a meat thermometer, you can also check for doneness by making sure the chicken is no longer pink in the middle and the juices run clear.
How long does Crockpot Salsa Chicken keep?
This Crockpot Salsa Chicken can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Be sure to store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness.
More to Cook And Eat
- Easy Healthy Chicken Piccata Recipe – This healthy and easy Chicken Piccata recipe is intensely flavorful, with sautéed lemons and garlic. It’s a fail-proof Italian chicken recipe that’s an absolute keeper.
- Easy Jamaican Jerk Chicken Recipe – Try this Easy Jamaican Jerk Chicken Recipe for a deliciously simple version of Caribbean-style roast chicken.
- Thai Chicken and Rice – This Thai Chicken and Rice is a tasty way to twist up the old chicken and rice dish. Not only is it healthy and full of flavor, but it comes together easily and quickly in just one pan – perfect for meal prep!
- Healthy Chicken Chili – This healthy Chicken Chili takes only 30 minutes to cook, uses only one pot, and tastes like a cozy comfort in a bowl. It’s ideal for busy weeknights and meal prep.