↑

Classic & Original Homecooking Recipe

The Best of Homecooking

  • Home
    • About Me
    • Work With Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Subscribe!
  • Recipes
    • Popular Posts
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Healthy Dishes
    • Soup
    • Salad
    • Sandwich
    • Cauliflower
    • Drink
    • Cocktail
  • How To
  • Instant Pot
    • Instant Pot Main Dishes
    • Instant Pot Side Dishes
    • Instant Pot Soups
  • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Chicken
    • Beef
    • Seafood
    • Pork
    • Chili
    • Pasta
    • Slow Cooker
    • Vegetarian
  • Dessert
    • Cheesecake
    • Cake
    • Cookies
    • Chocolate
  • Holidays
    • Easter
    • Cinco de Mayo
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • BBQ
    • 4th Of July
    • Fall Recipes
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas Dinner
    • Christmas Baking
    • Holiday Leftover Recipes
    • New Year’s
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Super Bowl Recipes
    • St. Patrick’s Day
Home » Dinner » Chicken » Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

Created: March 23, 2020 Updated: June 4, 2020 by Lyuba Brooke 9 Comments

5.1K shares
Jump to Recipe

Amazing Crock Pot Salsa Chicken that’s perfect to use for sandwiches and dinners. Juicy, tender, shredded chicken cooked in the crock pot with fresh mix of salsa vegetables like tomatoes, onions, peppers, herbs, and spices. You can also make this shredded chicken in an Instant Pot.

cooked salsa chicken in a cast iron bowl with lime

SALSA CHICKEN

I have a new tasty shredded chicken recipe for you! It is amazing, so easy, and full of fresh vegetable flavors and herbs. I love making a big batch of shredded chicken so I can save it for the week. BBQ chicken is great, buffalo chicken is great, but this new Salsa Chicken is now my favorite. This chicken is full of bright, fabulous flavors and a great texture to fall in love with.

What’s not to fall in love with here? This tender, juicy chicken is slow cooked with a fresh salsa mixture. Lots of fresh veggies, herbs, and spices to add more flavor. It’s a versatile chicken too with so many possibilities, you can eat this chicken all week and not have the same meal once.

Crock Pot is not the only way to make this chicken. Try to use Instant Pot and you will have the same tender and delicious results much, much faster than Crock Pot. Whichever method you will choose, the chicken will be equally delicious. It’s also great to save for later and use through the week. So feel free to make a double batch!

vegetables diced for salsa chicken

HOW TO MAKE THIS CHICKEN IN A CROCK POT

This is a very easy, “throw it all in and cook” kind of dish. (Aren’t those the best?!)

Dice and slice all the veggies and cilantro, and combine them in a mixing bowl. Mix in salt, chili powder, and cumin and mix everything well. Spread half of the vegetable mixture in the bottom of the Crock Pot.

Layer chicken breasts on top of the vegetables and top it off with remaining vegetable mixture. Close the lid and cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours.

Take chicken out once it’s cooked and shred it using two forks. Strain veggies from the juices and add veggies to the chicken. Add about 1/2 cup of juice back in with the chicken. (Broth that remains from cooking chicken is actually very tasty. Save it and use it in soup or to make a sauce.)

ingredients combined in an Instant Pot before cooking

CAN I MAKE THIS CHICKEN IN AN INSTANT POT?

Absolutely!! The only difference is that you will need a cup of chickens stock to cook the chicken and will have extra juices leftover. 

Dice and slice all the vegetables and cilantro and mix it together in a bowl with herbs and seasoning. 

Spread half the vegetable mixture in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Place chicken over the vegetables and spread remaining vegetable mixture over the chicken. Pour a cup of chicken stock all around.

Close the lid of Instant Pot and make sure it is latched.Turn the steam valve to “seal” and set the pressure cooker to cook at high pressure for 16-18 minutes. (18 minutes for larger chicken breasts.) Let the pressure cooker do a natural release for about 10 minutes and then carefully do a quick release. (Make sure to consult your pressure cooker manual for exact buttons and instructions.)

Take chicken out once it’s cooked and shred it using two forks. Strain veggies from the juices and add veggies to the chicken. Add about 1/2 cup of juice back in with the chicken.

cooked and shredded chicken and vegetables in instant pot

BEST WAYS TO STORE SHREDDED CHICKEN

Store cooked chicken in an air-tight container with a lid, in the refrigerator. Properly stored, it will last 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.

If you made a double batch or it’s just too much, you can also freeze it.

To freeze salsa chicken, portion it into freezer zip-lock bags, get as much air out as you can, and seal. Make sure to label the bags and freeze for 2-3 months. 

It’s best to portion the chicken in separate bags instead of everything in one large bag. This way you defrost just enough for what you’re making. 

shredded chicken wrapped in a taco shell

HOW TO SERVE IT

Tacos, with some cheese, shaved lettuce, guacamole, and sour cream.

Enchiladas, wrapped in tortillas and baked with sauce and cheese.

Breakfast Burritos, wrapped in tortilla with scrambled eggs (so tasty).

As a sandwich, on a soft bun with some lettuce and tomato.

As a main dish, with a side of grilled veggies.

Nachos, piled on top of crispy tortilla chips with extra jalapenos, lettuce, tomato and cheese.

Quesadillas, grilled inside a tortilla with gooey cheese. 

There are just too many delicious possibilities to list them all. I’m sure you can come up with many other ways to use this delicious Shredded Salsa Chicken and will keep making it again and again!

MORE CHICKEN RECIPES TO TRY

Creamy Pulled Chicken Tacos

Instant Pot Buffalo Ranch Chicken

Chicken Enchiladas

Tequila Chicken Tacos

Crock Pot Salsa Chicken Recipe. Juicy, tender, Salsa Chicken cooked in the crock pot with fresh salsa mixture. #chicken #crockpot #salsachicken #shreddedchicken #tacos

If you made any of my recipes and shared them on Instagram, make sure to tag me @willcookforsmiles and #willcookforsmiles so I can see all the things you tried!

Connect with Will Cook For Smiles!

Be sure to click below and follow me on my social media, so you never miss a recipe.

   

Don’t forget to sign up for email, so you won’t miss any new recipes.

PIN FOR LATER

Black skillet filled with crock pot shredded salsa chicken on a wooden cutting board with a lime garnish along the side of the skillet

Crock Pot Shredded Salsa Chicken

Amazing Crock Pot Salsa Chicken that's perfect to use for sandwiches and dinners. Juicy, tender, shredded chicken cooked in the crock pot with fresh salsa mixture.
4.67 from 6 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 (Makes about 7 cups)
Calories: 192kcal
Author: Lyuba Brooke

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 3 large tomatoes on a vine
  • 1 red onion
  • 2 red bell peppers
  • 3 jalapenos seeded
  • 5 garlic cloves
  • 2 Tbsp fresh minced cilantro
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder more if you want spicier
  • Salt
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Cooking In Crock Pot:

  • Dice and slice all the veggies, mince cilantro, and combine them in a mixing bowl. Add salt, chili powder, and cumin and mix everything well.
  • Spread half of the vegetable mixture in the bottom of the crock pot.
  • Layer chicken breasts on top of the veggies.
  • Spread remaining vegetable mixture on top of chicken.
  • Close the crock pot and cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours.
  • Take the chicken out once it's cooked and shred it using two forks.
  • Strain veggies from the juices and add veggies to the chicken. Add about 1/2 cup of the strained juices to the chicken and mix well. (Broth that remains from cooking chicken is actually very tasty. Save it and use it in soup or to make a sauce.)

Cooking In Instant Pot:

  • *You will need a cup of chicken stock in addition to other ingredients.* Dice and slice all the vegetables and cilantro and mix it together in a bowl with herbs and seasoning. 
  • Spread half the vegetable mixture in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Place chicken over the vegetables and spread remaining vegetable mixture over the chicken. Pour a cup of chicken stock all around.
  • Close the lid of Instant Pot and make sure it is latched.Turn the steam valve to “seal” and set the pressure cooker to cook at high pressure for 16-18 minutes. (18 minutes for larger chicken breasts.)
  • Let the pressure cooker do a natural release for about 10 minutes and then carefully do a quick release. (Make sure to consult your pressure cooker manual for exact buttons and instructions.)
  • Take chicken out once it’s cooked and shred it using two forks. Strain veggies from the juices and add veggies to the chicken. Add about 1/2 cup of juice back in with the chicken.

Video

Notes

All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe. Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have a slight variation.

Nutrition

Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 467mg | Potassium: 753mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1539IU | Vitamin C: 54mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @willcookforsmiles and tag #willcookforsmiles

long collage of steps and cooked salsa chicken

Originally published On Will Cook For Smiles April 4, 2016. Updated March 23, 2020.

LYUBA

ABOUT LYUBA

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read more...

5.1K shares

Filed Under: Chicken, Cinco de Mayo, Dinner, Instant Pot, Instant Pot Main Dishes, Mexican and Tex-Mex, Popular Posts

All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe. Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.

Comments

  1. Joye H says

    August 28, 2020 at 9:51 pm

    5 stars
    OMG this was good, made it today. Served it over Lime-Cilantro rice and fiesta corn. My husband told me to put it in the rotation.

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      August 31, 2020 at 4:54 pm

      Hi Joye,

      I love hearing that you loved it!!! Thank you so much for letting me know!

      Reply
  2. Jen says

    July 23, 2019 at 3:10 pm

    Can you make this with frozen chicken or is it best to defrost first?

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      July 25, 2019 at 7:12 pm

      Hi, Jen! You can make this with frozen chicken just make sure that the internal temperature gets up to 165 degrees.

      Reply
  3. Sean says

    August 10, 2018 at 6:44 pm

    When do you add the cilantro?

    Reply
    • lyuba says

      August 17, 2018 at 11:29 am

      Hi Sean,
      I’m so sorry, I must have missed it. You mix it in with all the veggies in the beginning. Thank you for bringing it to my attention!

      Reply
  4. Av says

    November 11, 2017 at 6:51 pm

    5 stars
    Looks yummy

    Reply
    • lyuba says

      November 13, 2017 at 4:00 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Well, hey there!

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read More.

Easter Recipes

closeup squared view of several potato rolls in a bowl.

Potato Rolls

closeup of scooping out mashed potatoes.

Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

closeup of sliced prime rib with sauces around.

Prime Rib

squared closeup of baked ham with orange ham glaze.

Baked Ham with Orange Honey Ham Glaze

squared image of scooping out creamy brussels.

Creamy Baked Brussels Sprouts

closeup squared image of scooping out creamed spinach.

Creamed Spinach

pulling part a dinner roll to show the cheesy center.

Cheesy Dinner Rolls

closeup whole vanilla cheesecake with whipped cream.

Vanilla Bean Cheesecake

Our Popular Recipes

Caipirinha

Chicken Alfredo

Greek Tortellini Salad

closeup of scooping guac with a chip.

Guacamole Recipe

White BBQ chicken sub on a wooden table with a small glass dish holding white BBQ sauce in the background as viewed close up

White BBQ Chicken Subs

Stuffed Mushrooms

Top Rated Recipes

The Best French Toast

Cauliflower Parmesan Crisps

Christmas Cheesecake (Cranberry Jam White Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake)

Avocado Salmon Rice Bowl

round decorative bowl filled with apple pie bread pudding topped with ice cream and a fork leaning on the side of the bowl viewed close up.

Apple Pie Bread Pudding

Smores cheesecake on a wooden table

S'Mores Cheesecake Recipe

Sides

30 Min

Pasta

Salads

Breakfast

Drinks

Soups

Gluten Free

FEATURED ON:

featured on

[cp_popup display="inline" style_id="32674" step_id = "1"][/cp_popup]
Buffalo Chicken Wrap with Homemade Ranch

Buffalo Chicken Wrap with Homemade Ranch

January 30, 2023
Delicious,...
The Best Classic Tiramisu

The Best Classic Tiramisu

January 14, 2023
Tiramisu...
Baked Ham with Orange Honey Ham Glaze

Baked Ham with Orange Honey Ham Glaze

December 2, 2022
This...
Chicken Piccata

Chicken Piccata

August 11, 2022
Chicken...
Pad See Ew

Pad See Ew

August 10, 2022
Pad...
Chicken Meatballs

Chicken Meatballs

July 15, 2022
These...
Baba Ganoush

Baba Ganoush

July 1, 2022
Baba...
Painkiller

Painkiller

June 30, 2022
A...
Truffle Fries

Truffle Fries

June 28, 2022
Truffle...
Thai Pineapple Fried Rice

Thai Pineapple Fried Rice

June 21, 2022
Thai...
Privacy Policy
©2023, Classic & Original Homecooking Recipe. Design by Pixel Me Designs