Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken (Easy 3-Ingredient Recipe)

This Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken is made with just 3 ingredients—chicken breasts, salsa, and taco seasoning—for an easy, flavorful meal that practically cooks itself!

Listen up, busy bees! If you’re looking for a recipe that’s so easy it practically cooks itself, you’re in for a treat. Meet Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken, the simplest and most delicious dinner you’ll ever make with just THREE ingredients—yep, you read that right. 

You need just chicken breasts, your favorite salsa, and taco seasoning. That’s it. No extra fluff, no complicated steps, just pure flavor with minimal effort.

This dish is perfect for those days when adulting is hard and the last thing you want to do is slave over the stove. Toss everything into your slow cooker in the morning, and by dinner, you’ll have a juicy, flavorful, and incredibly versatile meal. 

Not to mention, it makes it look like you put in way more work than you actually did. So go ahead, kick back, relax, and let your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting.

If you love easy dinner ideas you may also enjoy my Easy Ground Turkey Enchiladas or my Buffalo Chicken Caesar Wraps.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS SLOW COOKER SALSA CHICKEN RECIPE

• Three Ingredients, Baby! I mean, come on. You can’t get simpler than chicken, salsa, and taco seasoning. The flavor is off the charts with literally no extra effort.
• Set It & Forget It: This is the definition of a dump-and-go meal. Just toss everything in, walk away, and come back to a meal that tastes like you’ve been cooking for hours. Slow cooker recipes for the win.
• Flavor Explosion: Between the salsa and taco seasoning, your chicken gets soaked in all the spicy, tangy, and smoky flavors that make this dish a total winner.
• Super Versatile: Use it for tacos, burritos, salads, quesadillas, or even just with tortilla chips! The possibilities are endless, and it’s perfect for meal prep.

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS YOU NEED FOR THE CROCK POT SALSA CHICKEN

You will need the following ingredients listed below to make this shredded salsa chicken (the detailed instructions, nutritional information and full recipe are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post):

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts (because we’re keeping it light and juicy)
• Your favorite salsa (go mild, medium, or spicy—it’s your fiesta)
• Taco seasoning – bringing the big flavor with zero effort. Can use a combination of chili powder, ground cumin, sea salt, black pepper, sweet paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper.
• Optional – black beans, sour cream, fresh cilantro, lime juice, green chiles, bell peppers, etc. 

HOW TO MAKE THE CROCKPOT SALSA CHICKEN RECIPE

1. Dump & Go: Place your chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the salsa over the top and sprinkle the taco seasoning all over. Give it a little shimmy to make sure the chicken is coated with all that salsa goodness.
2. Set It & Forget It: Cover your slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. That’s it. No stirring, no babysitting—just let your slow cooker work its magic.
3. Shred & Serve: When the chicken is done, grab two forks and shred it right in the pot. The chicken will be so tender, it’ll practically shred itself! Stir it around to soak up all that juicy salsa-taco seasoning flavor.
4. Serve It Your Way: Serve this salsa chicken over rice, pile it into tacos, wrap it in burritos, or throw it on a salad. It’s so versatile, you can enjoy it a different way every night!

STORING LEFTOVER SALSA CHICKEN

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BEST RESULTS

• Use Thick Salsa: A thicker salsa helps prevent the chicken from becoming too watery as it cooks. This keeps the flavor rich and concentrated.
• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs: While chicken breasts work great, chicken thighs are another option if you prefer extra juiciness and tenderness.
• Don’t Overcook the Chicken: For perfectly tender chicken, keep an eye on the cooking time. Cooking on low for 6 hours or high pressure for 3-4 hours is ideal to avoid drying it out.
• Shred with Ease: Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. For quicker shredding, you can also use a hand mixer to break it up faster.
• Let the Chicken Soak: After shredding, let the chicken sit in the salsa for an extra 10-15 minutes to really absorb all that delicious flavor.
• Double the Recipe: Make extra salsa chicken and freeze it for future meals. It’s great for meal prep and reheats beautifully!
• Spice it Up: Want more heat? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, chopped jalapeños, or a splash of hot sauce to the slow cooker for an extra kick.
• Customize the Toppings: Elevate your salsa chicken with toppings like avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, or a squeeze of lime juice for added flavor and freshness.

FAQS

WHAT ARE SOME DELICIOUS WAYS TO ENJOY YOUR SHREDDED CHICKEN?

There are endless ways to enjoy your slow cooker salsa chicken! Stuff it into taco shells, flour tortillas for burritos or quesadillas for a quick and tasty meal, or serve it over rice for flavorful burrito bowls. 

You can also use it as a topping for nachos, add it to a taco salad for a protein boost, or even mix it into soups for a hearty dish. 

Try making enchiladas or stuffed peppers for a fun twist, or whip up a taco pizza for a unique dinner idea. This versatile chicken works for almost any meal!

CAN I USE FROZEN CHICKEN FOR THIS SLOW COOKER RECIPE?

Yes! You can use frozen chicken, but it may take longer to cook. Just ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe eating.

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO SHRED CHICKEN?

The easiest way to shred chicken is to use two forks, or if you want to save time, use a hand mixer for quick shredding!

CAN I USE HOMEMADE SALSA FOR THIS RECIPE?

Of course! Homemade salsa works just as well as a jar of chunky salsa and adds a personal touch to this family favorite recipe.

HOW DO I SERVE THIS WITHOUT IT GETTING TOO WATERY?

When serving, use a slotted spoon to avoid excess liquid, especially if using the chicken for tacos or nachos.

WHAT SHOULD I SERVE WITH SALSA CHICKEN?

Pair it with Mexican rice, cauliflower rice for a low-carb option, or use it in rice bowls with beans and veggies for a filling meal.

Other Easy Recipes For Dinner You May Want To Try!

• Zesty Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
• Keto Greek Salad Recipe
• Low Carb Big Mac Salad Bowl
• Low Carb Spaghetti Squash Recipe With Meat Sauce
• Shrimp Rice Paper Rolls With Easy Peanut Sauce
• Peach Tomato Feta Salad
• Easy Air Fryer Hamburgers (Quick And Juicy)
• Crispy Air Fryer Sesame Chicken Bites
• Easy Creamy Coconut Shrimp Recipe
• High Protein Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza
• Caprese Pasta Salad
• Mediterranean Baked White Fish Recipe
• Healthy High Protein Egg Salad
• Strawberry Quinoa Salad Recipe

IF YOU TRIED THIS MEXICAN CHICKEN RECIPE PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT AND STAR RATING. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN PIN THIS SLOW-COOKER RECIPE ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING @basicswithbails and #basicswithbails