5-Ingredient Crockpot Salsa Chicken – The Best Easy Dinner
This 5-Ingredient Crockpot Salsa Chicken is the ultimate easy dinner—just toss chicken, salsa, and a few spices into the slow cooker for tender, flavorful shredded chicken perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, salads, or nachos. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it meal that saves busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (on LOW) or 2 hours (on HIGH)
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes (on LOW) or 2 hours 5 minutes (on HIGH)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3 medium breasts)
- 1 (16-ounce) jar of your favorite salsa (thick and chunky recommended)
- 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning (or 2 tablespoons homemade)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Warm tortillas or tortilla chips (optional, for serving)
- Cooked rice or quinoa (optional, for serving)
- Toppings: sour cream, shredded cheese, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, lime wedges (optional)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle the taco seasoning, garlic powder, and cumin evenly over both sides of the chicken. Rub in gently.
- Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker in a single layer. Pour the entire jar of salsa over the top, covering the chicken. Do not stir.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and shreds easily.
- Carefully remove the chicken to a cutting board or large bowl. Use two forks to shred the meat.
- Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir into the salsa mixture. Let sit on warm for 10-15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or lime juice.
- Serve hot in warm tortillas, over rice, or on a salad with desired toppings.
Notes
For a thicker sauce, leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes of cooking. Chicken thighs can be substituted for extra juiciness. To make it creamy, stir in 4 ounces cream cheese or 1/2 cup sour cream during the last 30 minutes. This recipe freezes well for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 c
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 38
Keywords: crockpot salsa chicken, 5-ingredient dinner, easy slow cooker chicken, shredded chicken tacos, dump dinner, weeknight meal, gluten-free, low-carb