This amazing crockpot salsa chicken comes together super fast! You\u2019ll add pantry staples like beans, salsa, and corn to chicken and fresh cilantro for an easy meal bursting with flavor.<\/p>\n
![\"Ingredients](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Slow-Cooker-Salsa-Chicken-Cover.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nMy family loves anything that remotely resembles Mexican food.<\/p>\n
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- Slow Cooker Carnitas<\/a>? The best thing since sliced bread (which is saying a lot, since they\u2019ll devour a loaf of No-Knead Artisan Bread<\/a> in one sitting!).<\/li>\n
- Restaurant-Style Salsa? I\u2019ve never bought salsa since I first made this recipe<\/a> years ago.<\/li>\n
- Crockpot salsa chicken? My go-to taco night dish when the pantry looks sparse and the grocery budget<\/a> doesn\u2019t reset for a few more days.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Yes, we love home-cooked Mexican food! By the way, when I say Mexican food, it\u2019s not really. I\u2019ve never been formally trained in Mexican cuisine. I\u2019ve never been formally trained in any cuisine, for that matter\u2026<\/p>\n
BUT I know that when I combine chicken in a crock pot with salsa, corn, black beans, and garbanzo beans for this salsa chicken, the family never complains about dinner.<\/p>\n
WHY MAKE CROCKPOT SALSA CHICKEN<\/h2>\n
Your family will love this chicken with salsa in the crockpot meal, too!<\/p>\n
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- Frugal. <\/strong>One of the main components of this meal is beans, a frugal favorite!<\/li>\n
- Uses mostly pantry staples. <\/strong>Besides beans, you\u2019ll also use salsa and corn from the pantry.<\/li>\n
- Works with any cut of chicken. <\/strong>From chicken breasts to thighs to drumsticks, use whatever you have. Even shredded chicken!<\/li>\n
- Freezer-friendly.<\/strong> This is one of my favorite meals to meal prep for the freezer because it\u2019s so easy!<\/li>\n
- And of course, it\u2019s full of delicious zesty flavor<\/strong> with just the right amount of heat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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CHICKEN CROCK POT SALSA INGREDIENTS<\/h2>\n
You only need 7 ingredients for this simple chicken crock pot salsa recipe!<\/p>\n
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- Garbanzo Beans.<\/strong> Aka chickpeas. You\u2019ll need 1 \u00bd cups, which is equivalent to one can.<\/li>\n
- Black Beans.<\/strong> Just like the garbanzo beans, you\u2019ll need the equivalent of one can. I like to cook a big batch of dried beans (it\u2019s cheaper<\/a>!) and use some of the extra for Black Bean Brownies<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Corn.<\/strong> Use canned corn to keep this a pantry-focused meal, or go with frozen corn or corn cut right off the cob.<\/li>\n
- Red Salsa.<\/strong> You can use this Homemade Restaurant-Style Salsa<\/a> or just throw all of those salsa ingredients in the slow cooker. Kick up the heat with a hot salsa if you like things spicy!<\/li>\n
- Salsa Verde. <\/strong>Using two types of salsa gives an extra depth to the flavor. Try my Salsa Verde Recipe<\/a> and use any extra in Chicken and Spinach Enchiladas<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Chicken. <\/strong>Use whatever cut you have \u2013 chicken breast and boneless skinless chicken thighs are the easiest to shred at the end of the cooking time, but you can use bone-in chicken thighs or chicken drumsticks if that\u2019s what you have.<\/li>\n
- Cilantro. <\/strong>Using chopped herbs makes the whole dish taste fresh (even though you made it from the pantry). If you\u2019re not a cilantro fan, you can leave this out. If you like cilantro, garnish your finished salsa chicken with even more!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
I don\u2019t usually add any more seasoning, but you can add taco seasoning, or a blend of salt, chili powder, onion powders, cumin, and garlic powder for an additional kick.<\/p>\n
I typically buy my chicken at Costco since they have great prices on organic chicken. But I\u2019ve also tried organic chicken from Butcher Box. If you can\u2019t find high-quality chicken locally, Butcher Box is a great option.<\/p>\n
Butcher Box delivers grass-fed beef, pasture-raised and organic chicken, and heritage pork directly to your front door each month. You can read my honest review of Butcher Box here<\/a>, and my post on how to make Butcher Box worth the cost<\/a>!<\/p>\n
Exclusive for Crumbs Readers<\/a><\/p>\n
The search for high-quality meat ends here. Amazing taste. Humanely raised and delivered to your door. Sign up today! Click this link<\/a> to claim the current offer!<\/p>\n
HOW TO MAKE SLOW COOKER SALSA WITH CHICKEN<\/h2>\n
This crock pot chicken recipe is SO easy to make! Here are the instructions:<\/p>\n
Step 1. Place all ingredients in a large slow cooker<\/a>* <\/strong>and place the lid on top. Cook on low for 4-6 hours.<\/p>\n
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Step 2. Shred chicken with a fork and serve salsa with chicken over rice<\/a><\/strong>, Homemade Cornbread<\/a>, or tucked into Homemade Tortillas<\/a>. Garnish with fresh lime juice, additional cilantro, and your favorite taco toppings (shredded cheddar cheese is a must)!<\/p>\n
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Note: I have this 6-quart slow cooker<\/a>, and this recipe fits with room to spare. I don\u2019t recommend using a slow cooker any smaller than 4 quarts for this crock pot chicken recipe.<\/em><\/p>\n
EASY SALSA CHICKEN IN SLOW COOKER TIPS<\/h2>\n
1. It\u2019s kind of messy.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Like, everything just kind of mixes up together when it\u2019s cooked in the slow cooker. That\u2019s fairly typical of a slow cooker recipe, but just a heads up since not ALL the pictures don\u2019t necessarily show that. (Messy pictures aren\u2019t as nice to look at.)<\/p>\n
2. Boneless chicken is easier.<\/strong><\/p>\n
You can really use any cut of chicken in this recipe. However, I do suggest skinless and boneless since you\u2019ll be shredding up the meat once it cooks. In the pictures, I used thighs, but boneless, skinless chicken breasts work too.<\/p>\n
The chicken releases some liquid as it cooks, so combined with the liquid of the salsa, it\u2019s going to look like there\u2019s too much when it\u2019s finished cooking. But by the time you finish shredding the chicken, you\u2019ll have a sauce that nicely coats everything, perfect for spooning onto your plate.<\/p>\n
If you only have cooked, shredded chicken<\/a> on hand, add that close to the end of cooking to sop up all the good juices.<\/p>\n
3. Save money and use ingredients in multiple recipes.<\/strong><\/p>\n
My Homemade Tortilla Soup Recipe<\/a> uses garbanzo beans and black beans, as well as red salsa.<\/p>\n
Spinach and Chicken Enchiladas<\/a> use salsa verde and sour cream, which isn\u2019t an official ingredient in salsa chicken, but I always dollop some on top.<\/p>\n
By repeating the same ingredients in different meals, it\u2019s easy to stock up on sales, and I never worry about how I will use up what I have.<\/p>\n
Stocking up on sales is one of the concepts I teach in my eCourse, Grocery Budget Bootcamp. Enrollment is currently closed, but for more tips on lowering your grocery bill, check out the FREE Fight Inflation Workshop<\/a>. These three video sessions focus on saving money on groceries NOW, despite the rising cost of food. Find out more here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n
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SERVE WITH CHICKEN CROCKPOT SALSA RECIPE<\/h2>\n
The very best way to serve this salsa chicken recipe is scooped over Cast-Iron Skillet Cornbread<\/a>. Something about the cornbread mopping up the juices from this recipe is just heaven in your mouth.<\/p>\n
However, I typically serve crock pot salsa chicken with rice because it\u2019s easy to make and I always have it on hand.<\/p>\n
You can also add a side of refried beans to stretch the meal even further. My favorite Refried Beans Recipe<\/a> also cooks in the slow cooker, so if you want to make those as your side dish, you\u2019ll have to cook them the day before.<\/p>\n
Leftovers are delicious tucked into a Homemade Flour Tortilla<\/a> with some shredded cheese and sour cream! Or make salsa chicken nachos with tortilla chips. Yum! Plus, since it\u2019s not EXACTLY the same thing as dinner, leftover haters need not complain.<\/p>\n
TRACKING MACROS FOR SALSA ON CHICKEN<\/h2>\n
Mexican food and tacos are one of my favorite types of meals to eat, not only because of the flavor, but also because they\u2019re so versatile when I\u2019m tracking my macros. I can make salsa chicken fit with whatever I need!<\/p>\n
This salsa chicken already has plenty of protein from the chicken and the beans. Having that protein along with the carbs I usually serve this with (the cornbread or rice) helps keep my blood sugar stable.<\/p>\n
What about fat? A dab of sour cream, a sprinkle of cheese, and a touch of avocado will all add healthy fats to your plate. On the flip side, if you need a lower-fat meal, the salsas in this crock pot chicken recipe provide plenty of flavor, so you won\u2019t be missing out if you need to skip the higher-fat condiments!<\/p>\n
Watching your carbs? Enjoy cornbread (or flour tortillas, or rice) in moderation, and fill your plate with fresh veggies. Salsa chicken plus taco toppings like diced tomatoes, avocado, and lime crema on a big pile of shredded lettuce makes a yummy taco salad.<\/p>\n
Need more high-protein dinner ideas? Check out these High Protein Dinner Ideas<\/a>. Each one has 40g+ per serving!<\/em><\/p>\n
CHICKEN \u2013 SALSA RECIPE FAQS<\/h2>\n
\n\n\nCan I use frozen chicken in the crockpot?<\/h3>\n
\nI do NOT recommend using frozen chicken in the crockpot. The reason is that there is a risk of bacteria contaminating the chicken before it reaches a safe temperature. Try thawing your frozen chicken first (you can use a microwave for a few minutes or leave the chicken in the fridge overnight) and then add it to your slow cooker<\/a>.<\/p>\n
If you forgot to thaw your meat, you can make Instant Pot Salsa Chicken. Put all these ingredients, plus half a cup of chicken broth, in the Instant Pot. Cook on high for 10 minutes until cooked through. Let the pressure naturally release for ultimate tenderness.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nCan I use chicken thighs or drumsticks for chicken \u2013 salsa recipes instead?<\/h3>\n
\nAbsolutely! Thighs take a bit longer to cook. Adjust the cooking time to cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nHow long does salsa chicken last in the refrigerator?<\/h3>\n
\nMake sure the salsa chicken is in an airtight container<\/a>, and it will last in the fridge for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 4 months.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nCan you make the recipe salsa chicken in the oven?<\/h3>\n
\nYou probably could, but this dump-and-cook crockpot method is so easy that I haven\u2019t tried to cook it any other way!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
MORE CROCK POT CHICKEN RECIPES<\/h2>\n
FREEZER-FRIENDLY DUMP AND COOK DINNERS<\/h2>\n
This salsa chicken is PERFECT for the freezer \u2013 dump everything in a gallon freezer-safe bag and seal it up! When you need dinner, dump it into the slow cooker! This is exactly why I included it in my Freezer Cooking Meal Plan<\/a>, along with 4 more super easy dinner recipes:<\/p>\n
- Black Beans.<\/strong> Just like the garbanzo beans, you\u2019ll need the equivalent of one can. I like to cook a big batch of dried beans (it\u2019s cheaper<\/a>!) and use some of the extra for Black Bean Brownies<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Uses mostly pantry staples. <\/strong>Besides beans, you\u2019ll also use salsa and corn from the pantry.<\/li>\n
- Restaurant-Style Salsa? I\u2019ve never bought salsa since I first made this recipe<\/a> years ago.<\/li>\n
![\"Corn,](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Slow-Cooker-Salsa-Chicken-1.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"Raw](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Slow-Cooker-Salsa-Chicken-5.jpg.webp)
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\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"Slow](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Slow-Cooker-Salsa-Chicken-2.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n![\"Having](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Freezer-Cooking-Meal-Plan-Dump-Dinner-Recipe-Cover.jpg.webp)
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