Crock Pot Salsa Chicken
Meal prepping is probably the only way I make it through the holidays (or any month of the year, TBH) without losing it. 😅 So here’s a really easy bulk meal prep protein that you can use for multiple meals throughout the week. This Crock Pot Salsa Chicken recipe is such a classic, it’s incredibly easy (no chopping!), and only takes a handful of ingredients to prepare. Plus, there are several ways you can customize salsa chicken if you want to change it up a bit! Bookmark this one, folks, because you’re going to want to make it again and again!
“This recipe has become my go-to for feeding large groups – so easy to multiply (provided you have a big enough/more than one crockpot), and incredibly versatile. Really takes the stress out of meal prep and is always a big hit!”
JESS
crock pot salsa chicken
Crock pot salsa chicken has been around for ages. In fact, my taco chicken bowls are a fancier version that has been a reader favorite on Budget Bytes since 2011, but you need to know that in its most basic form, it’s still amazing. It’s just too good and too easy to not share. Just wait until you see all the ways you can use this saucy, spicy, super-flavorful shredded chicken!
Crock Pot Salsa Chicken
Cost $9.60 recipe / $1.60 serving
Ingredients
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs.)* ($6.01)
- 2 tsp chili powder ($0.20)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder ($0.05)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder ($0.05)
- 16 oz. salsa** ($3.29)
Video
Instructions
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Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Sprinkle the chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder over the chicken, then pour the salsa on top.
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Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 2.5 hrs or low for 5 hours.
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Test the chicken to make sure it’s tender enough to pull apart with a fork. If not, replace the lid and cook for an additional 30 minutes on high or one hour on low.
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Shred the chicken with two forks and stir to combine with the salsa and liquid in the pot. Serve hot or refrigerate until ready to use. Add the salsa chicken to your favorite tacos, burritos, nachos, salads, and more!
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Notes
**Salsa is the main flavor component for this recipe, so make sure you use a really good salsa. I love to use a smoky salsa to add even more depth of flavor. I used Kroger’s Private Selection brand Taqueria Style Salsa, but you can use different salsa flavors to switch it up!
Nutrition Information
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @budgetbytes or tag #budgetbytes on Instagram!How to Make Crock Pot Salsa Chicken step-by-step photos
Prep chicken: Place three boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a crock pot and sprinkle 2 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, and ½ tsp onion powder over top.
Pour 16oz. of your favorite salsa over the chicken in the crock pot. (I used Kroger’s Private Selection brand Taqueria Style Salsa).
Cook chicken: Place the lid on the crock pot and cook on high for 2.5 hours, or low for 5 hours. Test the chicken to make sure it’s tender enough to pull apart with a fork. If not, replace the lid and cook for an additional 30 minutes on high or one hour on low. After cooking it will look a little watery, but don’t worry! Once the chicken is shredded it turns into a nice sauce that coats everything.
Shred the chicken: Use two forks to shred the chicken and stir it into the sauce in the slow cooker.
Once the chicken is shredded, give it a taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. And that’s it! The crock pot salsa chicken recipe is complete and you’re ready to eat!
Serve and enjoy: A bowl meal with rice, cheese, and any other fun toppings you have on hand is such a great budget-friendly meal!
Add-Ins
The simplicity of Salsa Chicken makes it perfect for customizing with add-ins. Here are some other ingredients you can add to make it different every time:
- Beans: Try adding a drained can of beans, like black beans, pinto beans, or even kidney beans.
- Vegetables: Add more color and texture to the mix with diced onion, jalapeño, bell peppers, or corn.
- Cream Cheese or Sour Cream: Give your salsa chicken a creamy finish by stirring in some cream cheese or sour cream after cooking.
- Lime & Cilantro: Stir fresh lime juice and cilantro into the salsa chicken after cooking for a fresh finish.
- Spices: Switch up the spices and add something smoky like chipotle chile powder, or your favorite taco seasoning mix.
And don’t forget, you can change the flavor of salsa chicken by using different kinds of salsa! Try a spicy mango salsa, salsa verde, or even a smoky peach salsa for fun!
How to Store and reheat
This salsa chicken recipe is perfect for meal prep. It stays good in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, but it can also be frozen! To freeze, chill it completely in the refrigerator first, then transfer to the freezer and store for up to three months. I like to divide it into single portions before freezing so I can thaw only the amount I need each time. Thaw the salsa chicken overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat either in a sauce pan over medium, stirring frequently, or in the microwave.
serving suggestions
One of the reasons I love this salsa chicken so much is that you can make one batch and then use it for multiple meals throughout the week. I love to use this shredded salsa chicken for tacos, bowl meals (with rice, cheese, beans, etc.), chicken nachos, burritos, salads, in casseroles, to top a baked potato, or even as a base for a soup!
Other Crockpot Chicken Recipes
- Ranch seasoning, au jus mix, butter, and tangy pepperoncini turn this Mississippi Chicken into seriously flavorful shredded chicken without any chopping or searing first.
- A batch of this Pulled Shredded Chicken is one of those meal-prep basics that can become quesadillas one night, pasta the next, and chicken salad for lunch.
- For the Buffalo sauce fans, this Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken combines hot sauce, ranch seasoning, and butter with tender shredded chicken.
- Your favorite bottle of BBQ sauce gets to set the tone in this Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken, whether you go smoky, sweet, spicy, honey, or even pineapple!
More Salsa Chicken Recipes
