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How to Make Crockpot Salsa Chicken [Step-by-Step Guide]

Author: Diana
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 6 hours

This healthy Crockpot Salsa Chicken is incredibly flavorful, tender, and versatile. Serve it in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or in a bowl over rice. It's destined to become a family favorite.

Servings 6 servings
Course Main
Cuisine Mexican

Ingredients

  • 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 24 oz salsa your favorite brand, or homemade
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 ½ cups frozen sweet corn kernels
  • 14.5 oz black beans drained, from a can
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
Optional for Serving:
  • avocado freshly sliced
  • shredded cheddar cheese
  • lime wedges
  • salsa

Method

  1. Towel dry chicken pieces. Place chicken in the crockpot.
  2. Mix salsa, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground cumin together. Spoon over chicken.
  3. Cook on low for 6 hours if chicken is defrosted, 8 hours for frozen chicken.
  4. 1 hour prior to finishing, remove the chicken and shred it with forks.
  5. Place the shredded chicken back in the crockpot along with corn and beans. Finish cooking for the last 1 hour. If needed, season with additional salt and pepper.
  6. Serve salsa chicken with your choice of toppings, with extra salsa on the side if desired.

Notes

  • We recommend chicken thighs for tender results. If using whole skinless/boneless chicken breasts, use 4 chicken breasts. Note that chicken breasts tend to be drier.
  • Always pat your chicken dry before placing it in the slow cooker. This helps the seasonings and salsa to stick better and also gives the chicken a nicer texture.
  • If you’re using frozen chicken, make sure to adjust your cooking time. You’ll need to cook it on low for 8 hours instead of 6.
  • Love a little heat? Choose a spicy salsa for this recipe. If you prefer a milder flavor, go for a mild salsa.
  • Double the recipe – serve some tonight and divvy the rest up for this week. Or freeze in freezer-friendly containers with lids for future meals.
  • Serve this salsa chicken on top of Cilantro Lime Rice. It’s also great in soft or crunchy tacos, burritos, or in a Mexican style salad.

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