This recipe for Crock Pot Salsa Chicken is my favorite go-to healthy dinner that is quick, easy and only requires TWO ingredients!
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Note: This post first appeared on February 3, 2014. It has been updated with bright new photos, but it’s still the same delicious EASY recipe!
When it comes to meal planning for the week, THIS is my absolute favorite thing to make! Salsa is extremely low in calories and is a great way to get those veggies in your diet without even trying. It also just so happens to perfectly coat your chicken in the crock pot making it moist and flavorful while giving you TONS to enjoy all week! Oh and did I mention this entire recipe requires just TWO ingredients, along with a little salt and pepper. That’s it! It doesn’t get much easier than that folks. Simply throw your chicken into your crock pot, top with the salsa of choice and turn it on. Done. I can’t tell you how much of a lifesaver this recipe is for us during busy weeks and the shredded chicken makes perfect leftovers for healthy lunches!
Personally I like to eat my chicken over a salad because the salsa acts as a great dressing, but you could eat this mixed with brown rice, on a whole wheat bun or in a wrap and it also takes great all on its own with some veggies. Any salsa will work too, just use your favorite! THIS recipe just happens to be mine and the one I always use when making shredded chicken. I love making my own at home because there is nothing more tasty then fresh salsa, but if you are looking for something quick, store-bought works perfectly!
Just a quick note, this does get pretty watery after slow cooking for a few hours so I like to remove the chicken, strain out the salsa then throw everything back in to shred. Super easy though! Let me just tell you that this makes a seriously delicious bowl mixed with black beans, peppers, brown rice and lettuce. You could also add a little cumin and chili powder for even more flavor!
Like I said before, this is literally the EASIEST recipe you’ll ever make. Hope you all enjoy it as much as we do!
Crock Pot Salsa Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper
- 2 cups favorite salsa
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in your crock pot, season with a little salt and pepper and cover completely with salsa. Set crock pot on the low setting and cook for 4 1/2 hours.
- Place chicken in a bowl and strain out just the salsa, not the juice. Shred chicken using two forks and mix in strained salsa. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I need to try this recipe stat! Looks easy, simple and delicious!
YUM!! Pinned both this and your salsa! Thanks so much for sharing!
I love you blog – your recipe presentation is so pretty! I am a university student in Melbourne (Australia) and I have just started a blog about beautiful healthy food… I would absolutely love it if you would go and check it out 🙂
xx
I love how simple this is to bring together.
I love salsa chicken! I can’t wait to try this recipe out. Thank you for sharing it 🙂
one of my favorite things to make during the week! so easy… simple… delicious. i love it over salads, quinoa, and brown rice!
Any day that I can use my crock pot makes me happy!!! This looks so easy – can’t wait to try your salsa and make this!
Just curious- would I be able to leave it in the crock pot for longer.. about 9 hours? That’s how long I will be at work during the day and I’d love to have this ready for when I get home from work.
Thanks!
Unfortunately chicken tends to dry out if left in the crock pot too long, which is why I do this recipe on the weekends. I wish I had a better solution for you!
I have NO idea if this would work… but what if you put your chicken breasts in the crock pot frozen? Might buy you a little time… probably not 5 hours though. Some crock pots switch from “low” to “warm” when they are done, that might help a little too? Good luck. Sorry Kel for jumping in, it’s just an intriguing problem!!!!!
Yes this is very true! Frozen chicken breasts might work as they would need to cook longer 🙂
Use a timer and set it to start 4 hours before youre usually home
When I know I have a long work day and don’t want things in my crock pot to overcook I’ll either cook it overnight and then turn the crock pot to “keep warm” during the day. Or with this particular recipe you might try turning it on high while you get ready in the morning for an hour or 2 and then turn it to keep warm for the remainder of the day. There should be enough heat built up during the hour of high heat to cook it the rest of the way through without over drying. I hope?!
Good luck!
Use frozen chicken, this is what I do when I have to be away from home longer that 8 hours. My slow cooker doesn’t have a timer. I cook most of meat in the slow cooker frozen comes out much nicer.
Hey, what I do is add in more salsa and chicken or vegies stock plus water–around 1 more cup of both. Add in extra seasonings to your liking and you should have pretty nice chicken, <3
This is a recipe that has been floating around for a very long time. I’ve been making it for a couple of years now. But I include a packet of taco seasoning (or homemade seasoning), corn and black beans. Some add sour cream.
This looks so simple, yet delicious! I can’t wait to give this recipe a try because I know the hubs will love it.