Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken – easy 4 ingredient recipe – just 5 minutes of prep! Juicy bold flavored shredded chicken perfect for tacos, burritos, salads or bowls.’
This is hands down the easiest slow cooker recipe. It’s perfect for meal prep, family parties and football watching (*heads up Super Bowl*).
It delivers flavor-packed, tender chicken that can be used in countless ways and calls for just 4 ingredients and one slow cooker.
Just add everything into your slow cooker, turn it on and forget about it for 3-4 hours while you get on with your day.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
- Simple ingredients including your favorite jar salsa.
- Just 5 minutes prep – perfect for taco night – the slow cooker does the heavy lifting!
- Easy recipe for busy weeknights when you’re juggling work, school – life!
- Use boneless chicken breasts OR thighs.
- Easily double – or triple – the recipe to use the rest of the week.
- Your kitchen will smell AMAZING!
WHAT DO I NEED TO MAKE SLOW COOKER SALSA CHICKEN?
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- your favorite salsa in a jar
- canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- fresh lime
HOW TO MAKE SLOW COOKER SALSA CHICKEN:
Trim chicken of any excess fat then place in slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper.
Pour the jar of salsa over the chicken, then finely mince chipotle peppers and add to the chicken plus 1 tablespoon of juice from the can.
Squeeze the juice from half of one lime over the top.
Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low 6 hours or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
Shred the chicken while in the slow cooker using two forks or remove and shred on a cutting board. Blend the chicken with the juices in the slow cooker.
That’s it – you’re ready to eat!
HOW TO ENJOY SLOW COOKER SALSA CHICKEN:
- Taco Night: add to crunchy shells or flour tortillas – Taco Night just got easier!
- Burrito Bowls: add rice (or cauliflower rice), beans, veggies, and a sprinkle of cheese.
- Chicken Tacos: use soft flour tortillas or crispy taco shells.
- Taco Salad: pile it high with lettuce, tomatoes and avocado slices
- Chicken Nachos: layer chicken with plenty of melty cheese and your favorite toppings.
BEST SALSA CHICKEN TOPPINGS:
- shredded cheese
- dollop of sour cream
- a sprinkle of fresh cilantro
- squeeze of lime juice
- extra salsa (or homemade salsa)
- tortilla chips for extra crunch
WHAT GOES WITH SALSA CHICKEN?
- refried beans or black beans
- mexican street corn pasta salad
- grapefruit margarita
- 5 ingredient mexican rice
Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 - 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup jar salsa (your favorite kind)
- 1-2 canned chipotle peppers + 1-2 tablespoons of the juice from the can
- juice from half of one lime
Instructions
- Trim the raw chicken breasts then add them to the slow cooker and season with salt and pepper.
- Pour the salsa over the top of the chicken. Finely mince the chipotle peppers then add along with 1 tablespoon of the juice from the can.
- NOTE: if you like extra spice, add a second chipotle pepper and another tablespoon of juice.
- Squeeze the juice from half of one lime over the top, then cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours OR 6-8 hours on low.
- Using two forks shred the chicken while it’s still in the slow cooker and blend it together with the juices.
- Serve as tacos in flour tortillas or crunchy shells with your favorite toppings or in burritos, salads or bowls.
I made this tonight in the instant pot and it was not only easy, but amazing! I love the flavor of chipolte peppers in adobo and it was the perfect touch. Thanks Bernie!
I’m so glad you made the recipe Melissa and enjoyed it so much! I may be the last person on earth who doesn’t own an instant pot :O ~ good to know the recipe is so versatile! 🙂
I made this tonight in the instant pot and it was not only easy, but amazing! I love the flavor of chipolte peppers in adobo and it was the perfect touch. Thanks Bernie!
Hi there — I don’t own an instant pot – would you believe it? But I love that readers are taking recipes and using their talents to make the recipes IP friendly. That’s awesome. Thank you — and thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the day.
I made this tonight in the instant pot and it was not only easy, but amazing! I love the flavor of chipolte peppers in adobo and it was the perfect touch. Thanks Bernie!
This is my kinda meal! Yum!
Thanks Karly – great minds think alike – it’s one of my favorites. Glad you stopped by 🙂