Easy Tender Crockpot Salsa Chicken Recipe for Busy Weeknight Dinners
A simple, flavorful crockpot salsa chicken recipe that requires minimal prep and slow cooks to tender perfection, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 7 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high
- Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes (low) or 3 hours 5 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 ½ cups salsa (mild, medium, or spicy)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
- ¼ cup chicken broth (optional, for extra moisture)
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry about 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
- In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir well.
- Rub the spice mix evenly over all sides of the chicken pieces.
- Place the seasoned chicken in the bottom of the crockpot in a single layer.
- Pour 1 ½ cups of salsa evenly over the chicken, covering it as much as possible.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easy to shred.
- Remove chicken pieces and shred them using two forks or tongs.
- Return shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir to coat with salsa juices.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired and serve.
Notes
If salsa is thin, the chicken will release extra juices; stir for a saucier dish. For thicker sauce, remove lid during last 30 minutes of cooking. Use thighs for juicier chicken or breasts for leaner meat. Avoid opening lid frequently to maintain cooking temperature. Let chicken rest 5 minutes before shredding.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (220 gra
- Calories: 230
- Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 30
Keywords: crockpot chicken, salsa chicken, slow cooker recipe, easy dinner, weeknight meal, tender chicken, Mexican chicken, healthy chicken recipe