Easy Crockpot Salsa Chicken

This is a really easy slow-cooker salsa chicken recipe that makes a versatile meal. It tastes very similar to the chicken used in Mexican restaurants in their chicken taco salads. My kids eat it plain, but I like it on a large salad with avocado and sour cream!

Crock pot salsa chicken has the flavors of a fajita and tastes great in salads, quesadillas, or on top of burrito bowls. This easy recipe is naturally gluten-free and makes for a simple weeknight dinner. We’ll often eat it for a quick lunch too.

This recipe freezes and reheats extremely well for easy meal prep. It makes a great packed lunch or can be doubled for a quick meal later. I like to pack it as a mason jar salad by placing some at the bottom of a quart mason jar. Top it with sour cream, salsa, cheddar cheese, avocado, and lastly, lettuce. Dump it upside down for a 2-second salad on the go.

Salsa Chicken Ingredients

This chicken dinner is really easy and involves some shredded chicken, spices, and a jar of salsa. I’ve listed out all of the spices in the recipe, but you could even use 3 Tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning mix instead for faster prep. Our family uses chicken breast since that’s what I usually have on hand, but skinless chicken thighs also work and add more flavor.

For an Instant Pot version use the recipe below but add 1 cup of chicken broth while cooking. For frozen chicken cook for 15 minutes and do a natural pressure release. If using thawed chicken reduce the cooking time to 10 minutes with a natural pressure release.

What to Eat With Salsa Chicken

You can eat the salsa chicken as is with a side of veggies (or salad) or use it as the protein in other dishes. Here are a few ideas:

This recipe is simple but it certainly isn’t boring! Here are some ideas for what to mix in or top your salsa chicken.

black beans or pinto beans

cilantro

diced jalapenos

stir in some cream cheese

top with guacamole

add a squeeze of lime juice

There are so many different ways to serve this chicken that I don’t easily get tired of it. To save on time I’ll sometimes make a big batch on the weekend. Then I can reheat it and use it in different dishes throughout the week. Like enchiladas for supper on Monday, then salsa chicken salad on Wednesday. Mix and match the toppings for even more variety!

What are your favorite toppings for salsa chicken? Leave a comment and let me know!