This chicken with salsa in the crockpot uses just two simple ingredients to create tender, flavorful shredded chicken that’s ready when you are! With only 2 minutes of prep time, you can have this versatile protein cooking away while you go about your day. What makes this recipe so great is how many different ways you can use it. Try it in tacos, on salads, on nachos, in sandwiches, and so much more!
As someone who’s developed and played around with dozens of slow cooker recipes over the years, I know that the best crockpot meals are the ones that deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort. This salsa chicken has become one of my most-used recipes because it’s incredibly reliable and always turns out tender and delicious. I’ve tested it with different types of salsa and various cooking times to make sure it works every time.
What I love most about this recipe is how it solves the “what’s for dinner” problem without any stress or planning. You can start it in the morning and come home to a house that smells amazing, with enough shredded chicken to use for multiple meals throughout the week. Whether you’re feeding a busy family or meal prepping for yourself, this dump-and-go recipe makes dinnertime so much easier.
If you love prepping chicken in bulk and would prefer to make shredded chicken without the salsa, give our simple slow cooker shredded chicken recipe a try. For something similar but different, give our slow cooker carnitas a try too (aka Mexican-style pulled pork)!
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love Chicken with Salsa in the Crockpot
- Ingredients Needed for Salsa Chicken
- How to Make Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
- Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Ways to Enjoy Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
- Storage & Reheating
- Crockpot Salsa Chicken Expert Tips
- Helpful Equipment
- Recipe FAQs
- Love This Recipe? You‘ve Got to Try One of These Easy Chicken Recipes!
- 📖 2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
Why You’ll Love Chicken with Salsa in the Crockpot
Only 2 Ingredients Needed. Just chicken and salsa create incredibly flavorful, tender shredded chicken that tastes like you spent hours cooking.
2 Minutes of Prep Time. Simply add both ingredients to your crockpot and let it do all the work while you’re busy with other things.
Incredibly Versatile. Use this shredded chicken in tacos, on salads, with nachos, in sandwiches, or any way you like for endless meal options.
Set It and Forget It. This true dump-and-go recipe cooks low and slow all day, so you come home to dinner that’s already done.
Ingredients Needed for Salsa Chicken
Chicken Breast. Use boneless skinless chicken breasts. Always trim any visible fat, tendons, and connective tissue. Trimming the meat will leave you with perfectly clean and tender chicken breast pieces.
Salsa. You can use jarred salsa from the store or homemade salsa in this easy salsa chicken recipe! You can change the flavor quite a lot by using different varieties of salsas, from red salsa to salsa verde to black bean and corn salsa. I’d recommend starting with your favorite salsa since you know you like it already.
See the recipe card below for all ingredient measurements and full recipe instructions.
How to Make Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
Add a small layer of salsa to the bottom of your slow cooker.
Place the raw chicken breasts into an even layer on top of the salsa.
Top with remaining salsa.
Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours, or high 3-4 hours until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F.
Shred the cooked chicken. Use two forks to gently shred chicken, or use your stand mixer with a paddle attachment (my favorite kitchen hack!) on low to medium speed for 1-2 minutes.
Place shredded chicken back into the crockpot with the salsa and juice and stir to coat.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Use different cuts of chicken. I prefer to use chicken breast because it’s one of the healthiest cuts of chicken. Boneless skinless chicken thighs or chopped chicken tenderloins would also be an option though. I suggest trimming some of the fat off of the chicken thighs if you make this substitution.
- Add taco seasoning. If you want to really pack your slow cooker salsa chicken with flavor, add in 1-2 Tablespoons of taco seasoning when cooking.
Possible Dietary Restrictions?
This slow cooker salsa chicken is gluten free and dairy free as written. Please note, if you are serving this to someone with celiac, be sure to check the ingredient list of your jarred salsa.
Ways to Enjoy Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
You can enjoy this easy slow cooker salsa chicken in so many ways! Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy this versatile recipe:
- Use for salsa chicken tacos. Pack taco shells, flour tortillas, or corn tortillas with your shredded chicken and then add all of your favorite toppings.
- Serve your chicken as the main protein with a side of Mexican rice, beans (try refried beans, black beans, or pinto beans), and a veggie.
- Make burrito bowls. Serve your chicken over a bed of rice (or cauliflower rice for a low carb option) along with your favorite taco toppings to make an easy meal. Using tortilla chips to enjoy a burrito bowl is always fun too!
- Use on salads. Salsa chicken is awesome on salads! I personally love combining it with mixed greens, slices of cucumber, cherry tomatoes, black beans, and fresh salsa as dressing! This easy salad is also great with ranch or salsa ranch dressings.
- Use in lettuce wraps. Make and light and fresh meal by making lettuce wraps with your salsa chicken!
- Use for homemade enchiladas. This juicy chicken is wonderful in homemade enchiladas!
- Make pulled chicken sheet pan nachos. Sheet pan nachos are always a hit in our house, and this pulled chicken is a great addition to them!
Storage & Reheating
Store fully cooled leftover salsa chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat portions in the microwave, or on the stove in a small saucepan over low heat, until the chicken has reached your desired temperature
Crockpot Salsa Chicken Expert Tips
Cook on low for the juiciest results. If you have the time, the low setting will give you more tender, flavorful chicken than cooking on high.
Adjust the liquid to your liking. Some salsas are more watery than others, so if your finished chicken seems too liquidy, simply spoon out some of the cooking liquid or remove most of it before adding the shredded chicken back in.
Easy to double for meal prep. Just double both ingredients and keep the cooking time the same. If your chicken doesn’t fit in a single layer, add a layer of salsa between the chicken pieces.
Helpful Equipment
You will need a slow cooker to make this 2-ingredient crockpot salsa chicken. I use a 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker. An instant read thermometer is also helpful to confirm your chicken has reached a safe temperature.
Recipe FAQs
According to research conducted by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, it is NOT recommended to use frozen meat or poultry when using a crockpot to cook. It is recommended that the meat is thawed prior to cooking.
Yes! Chicken thighs work great in this recipe and will be even more tender and juicy. Use the same amount and cooking time.
The chicken is ready when it shreds easily with two forks and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
You can simply use two forks to pull the chicken apart, use your stand mixer with a paddle attachment (my favorite kitchen hack!) on low to medium speed for 1-2 minutes, or use a hand mixer on low speed.
Love This Recipe? You‘ve Got to Try One of These Easy Chicken Recipes!
📖 2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 16 oz salsa of choice (red salsa, salsa verde, black bean & corn, etc.)
Instructions
- Add a small layer of salsa to the bottom of your slow cooker, and then place the raw chicken breasts into an even layer in the crockpot.
- Top with remaining salsa and cover. Cook on low 6-8 hours, or high 3-4 hours until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F.
- Shred chicken. Use two forks to gently shred chicken, or use your stand mixer with a paddle attachment (my favorite kitchen hack!) on low to medium speed for 1-2 minutes.
- Place shredded chicken back into the crockpot with the salsa and juice and stir to coat.
Notes
- Use different cuts of chicken. Alternatives to chicken breast include boneless skinless chicken thighs or chopped chicken tenderloins.
- Add taco seasoning. Option to add 1-2 Tablespoons of taco seasoning when cooking.
- If you have the time, cook your salsa chicken on low. Doing so will result in juicier chicken!
- Some salsas are more watery than others. If your chicken seems too liquidy after you’ve shredded your chicken and mixed it back into the liquid in your crockpot, simply spoon some of the liquid out. Alternatively, take most of the liquid out of the crockpot when you take the chicken out to shred. Then add back in the amount of liquid you’d like to coat the shredded chicken.
- This recipe is really easy to double. All you have to do is double the ingredients. The recipe steps and the cooking time will not change. I recommend adding a layer of salsa between layers of chicken if they are not in a single layer in your crockpot.
Claire says
Looks great. Can’t wait to make it.
Meredith says
I hope you love it! Can’t wait to hear how it goes.
Jill says
Amazing! I didn’t realize I needed this quick, easy, and delicious recipe in our meal rotation!. Thanks for another great meal recipe
Meredith says
So happy to hear you loved this salsa chicken too Jill! Thanks for the great feedback.
David says
This chicken recipe is so versatile. I’m a big meal prepper, so I’ll usually double (or triple) this recipe on a Sunday afternoon to make sure I’ve got high quality protein for the week. I use it on salads, burritos, tacos, nachos, sandwiches, lettuce wraps, etc.
Meredith says
so happy to hear you love this recipe too!