The Easiest Dinner You’ll Ever Make
Whenever life gets busy and I want something that’s both effortless and delicious, I make my Crockpot Salsa Chicken. It’s the ultimate in dump and go crockpot dinners just toss everything in, turn on the slow cooker, and a few hours later, you’ve got tender, flavorful chicken ready for tacos, rice bowls, salads, or wraps.
What I love most is how adaptable it is. You can keep it simple with salsa and chicken, or dress it up with beans, corn, and cheese. It’s one of those crockpot chicken recipes that’s always a win no matter what day of the week it is.
Why You’ll Want This on Repeat
This recipe hits that sweet spot of easy, healthy, and satisfying. Here’s why it’s become one of my all-time favorites:
- Truly effortless five minutes of prep, then you walk away.
- So versatile perfect for tacos, burritos, bowls, or nachos.
- Protein-packed and naturally gluten-free.
- Family-approved everyone loves the flavor.
- Meal prep dream stores and freezes beautifully.
It’s one of those crock pot chicken breast recipes that proves dinner doesn’t need to be complicated to be delicious.
Related Recipes
Crockpot Salsa Chicken
- Total Time: 5 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
An easy and flavorful Crockpot Salsa Chicken recipe made with tender shredded chicken slow-cooked in salsa and spices. Perfect for tacos, rice bowls, or meal prep.
Ingredients
1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 (16 oz) jar salsa (your preferred spice level)
1 packet taco seasoning
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained (optional)
1 cup corn (optional)
4 oz cream cheese or 1 cup shredded cheddar (optional)
Juice of 1 lime
Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Place chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Pour salsa over chicken, sprinkle taco seasoning, and add beans and corn if using.
- Cover and cook on low for 5–6 hours or high for 3 hours.
- Shred the chicken with two forks and stir to combine.
- Stir in cream cheese or shredded cheese if desired; cook until melted.
- Garnish with lime juice and cilantro before serving
Notes
Use mild or hot salsa depending on your spice preference.
Add bell peppers or onions for extra veggies.
Freezes beautifully store for up to 3 months.
Serve in tacos, over rice, or on nachos.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Dinner / Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 780
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 37
- Cholesterol: 95
What You’ll Need
The Basics
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless and skinless work best for shredding.
- Salsa: Use your favorite jarred or homemade salsa mild, medium, or spicy.
- Taco Seasoning: Adds that perfect Mexican-inspired flavor.
- Black Beans and Corn: Optional, but they make it heartier and more colorful.
- Cream Cheese or Shredded Cheese (optional): For a creamy, cheesy twist.
Flavor Add-Ins
- Lime Juice for brightness.
- Cilantro for freshness.
- Jalapeños for spice.
- Bell Peppers for extra color.
How It All Comes Together
Step 1: Load the slow cooker.
I start by placing the chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot. Then I pour salsa over them, sprinkle in taco seasoning, and add black beans and corn if I’m using them.
Step 2: Let it cook.
I cover and cook on low for 5–6 hours or high for about 3. The slow cooker does all the work by the time it’s done, the chicken is tender and the sauce smells amazing.
Step 3: Shred the chicken.
Once the chicken’s cooked, I use two forks to shred it right in the pot. It absorbs all that saucy goodness, turning into a flavorful, juicy mix.
Step 4: Add creaminess (optional).
If I want a creamier dish, I stir in a bit of cream cheese or shredded cheddar and let it melt for a few minutes.
Step 5: Serve it up.
I serve it over rice, spoon it into taco shells, or pile it onto tortilla chips for the easiest nachos ever. Each bite is smoky, tangy, and just a little spicy pure comfort in every forkful.
If you love simple slow cooker meals, try my hearty Slow Cooker Beef Stew or my flavorful Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup. Both are just as easy and satisfying for weeknight dinners.
Fun Ways to Mix It Up
This crockpot dinner recipe is endlessly flexible. You can change it up a dozen ways and it’ll still taste amazing:
- Use Ground Chicken: Make a ground chicken recipe version by browning it first before adding to the crockpot.
- Add Veggies: Bell peppers, onions, or zucchini blend right in.
- Make It Spicy: Use hot salsa or add chipotle peppers in adobo.
- Cheesy Casserole: Stir in a cup of cooked rice and top with cheese for a full meal.
- Healthy Version: Skip the cheese and serve over quinoa or cauliflower rice.
- Freezer Meal Prep: Combine raw chicken, salsa, and seasoning in a freezer bag dump it straight into the crockpot when ready.
One Last Thought Before You Dig In
This Crockpot Salsa Chicken is proof that you don’t need a long ingredient list or hours in the kitchen to make something incredible. The slow cooker transforms simple pantry staples into a flavorful meal that’s ready whenever you are.
It’s perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or anytime you want a dinner that practically makes itself. And if you’re craving more cozy slow cooker inspiration, check out my Slow Cooker Beef Enchilada Casserole, Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole, or the crowd-favorite Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip.
