If you’re a fan of easy dinner recipes, this 2-ingredient slow cooker salsa chicken recipe needs to get added into your meal rotation. Prepped and ready to cook in your crockpot in minutes, this flavorful chicken can be used to make a variety of dishes your whole family will love!
This easy crockpot chicken is one of our favorite slow cooker recipes because it’s seriously so darn easy to make and turns out great every time!
The versatility of this shredded salsa chicken is the real hero. There are countless ways to enjoy this protein… in tacos, on salads, on nachos… the list goes on and on.
If you love this recipe and are looking for more slow cooker dinners, you’ve got to try my crockpot Hawaiian chicken too!
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients Needed
- Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Possible Dietary Restrictions?
- Ways to Enjoy Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
- Storage
- Expert Tips
- Helpful Equipment
- Recipe FAQs
- Love This Recipe? You May Also Enjoy
- 📖 2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick and easy prep. It takes about 2 minutes of prep time to get your chicken ready to cook. Then you just let the slow cooker work it’s magic. Shred the chicken when it’s done and enjoy!
Only two Ingredients! This recipe uses two simple ingredients to make awesome shredded chicken…it doesn’t get much easier than that!
Dump and go recipe. This crockpot salsa chicken recipe is a low-maintenance, dump-and-go recipe that cooks low and slow while you’re going about your day.
Can be used in so many ways! This shredded salsa chicken can be used in a ton of different ways to create a variety of easy dinners. Check out the ‘Ways to Enjoy Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken’ section below for all kinds of ideas of how to use this delicious simple chicken to create an amazing home-cooked meal.
Ingredients Needed
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 a full list of ingredients and measurements.
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.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add a small layer of salsa to the bottom of your slow cooker.
Step 2: Place the raw chicken breasts into an even layer on top of the salsa.
Step 3: Top with remaining salsa.
Step 4: Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours, or high 3-4 hours until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F.
Step 5: 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.
Step 6: Place shredded chicken back into the crockpot with the salsa and juice and stir to coat.
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
Store any 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
Expert Tips
- 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.
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.
Love This Recipe? You May Also Enjoy
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📖 2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
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!