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Four Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

This easy Four Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken recipe is simply the best choice for a busy day! Take a few minutes to throw everything into your Crock-Pot, then come back in a few hours and shred for a savory, family-pleasing taco filling.

Today, let’s update an ancient post with one of these oh-so-easy recipes that should be in every family’s back pocket: Four Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken! 

I did first post this recipe way back in 2014, but it seemed high time to update that old post with slightly better photos and the addition of black beans. 🙂 This super simple salsa chicken recipe is my go-to for busy days, since it takes just two minutes to throw everything in the Crock-Pot and forget it — and everyone here looooves it.

Honestly, I have been making salsa chicken probably every couple of weeks for the past six years or so, per the kids’ ongoing request.

salsa chicken tacos

Use either boneless skinless chicken breast or chicken thighs to make your salsa chicken, and substitute any kind of salsa you prefer in order to change up the flavors and the spice level. (Salsa verde sometimes makes a nice change of pace, and thighs will come out slightly juicier than chicken breast.)

You can also stir in a can of corn and/or a little sour cream to taste after shredding the chicken at the end, but I tend to keep mine simple so that everyone can adapt their add-ons to their own taco taste.

Four Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

salsa chicken taco ingredients

Ingredients

2-3 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, trimmed
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 Tbsp taco seasoning (or one packet)
16 oz salsa

Directions

Trim chicken and place it in the bottom of your Crock-Pot.

Rinse and drain the black beans, then add them to the Crock-Pot. 

salsa chicken ingredients in Crock-Pot

Top the chicken and beans with taco seasoning and salsa.

Cook on low for 5-5.5 hours, then shred.

shredding the salsa chicken

Serve the finished salsa chicken with your own favorite taco accoutrements.

Note: Use two or three (or a little more…) pounds of chicken, depending on what you have on hand, how many leftovers you want, or how “saucy” you like your chicken. This recipe is super forgiving.

Adapt salsa chicken to your own family’s needs

four ingredient slow cooker salsa chicken tacos

This basic easy recipe is extra awesome because of its infinite adaptability. Want it spicier? Use hot salsa and taco seasoning when cooking, and/or add jalapeño slices and hot sauce when assembling. Want it milder? Use mild salsa and seasoning. Gluten free? Use corn tortillas rather than flour, and make sure to use gluten free or homemade taco seasoning. Dairy free? Skip the cheese and sour cream when assembling your tacos. Low carb? Serve yours on a low carb wrap, lettuce wrap, or in a bowl. Hate tortillas? Serve yours over rice or use it in a taco salad.

Play with the basic recipe and fixings to suit your own family’s tastes and dietary needs, and enjoy a super easy dinner that should please everyone in the house — it surely does here.

Got salsa chicken leftovers?

loaded baked chicken nachos

Here’s a thought: Why not use your leftover salsa chicken to make a batch of loaded baked chicken nachos, a big pot of leftover chicken taco soup, or some chicken avocado taquitos or the next day? You’re welcome. 😉

Four Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken, printable recipe

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5 from 3 votes

Four Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

This easy Four Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken recipe is simply the best family-pleasing choice for a busy day!
Course dinner
Cuisine slow cooker
Keyword chicken, crock-pot, easy recipe, salsa chicken, slow cooker, slow cooker salsa chicken
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 5 hours 50 minutes
Servings 8

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2-3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs trimmed
  • 1 can black beans rinsed and drained
  • 2 Tbsp taco seasoning (or one packet)
  • 16 oz salsa

Instructions

  • Trim chicken and place it in the bottom of your Crock-Pot.
  • Rinse and drain the black beans, then add them to the Crock-Pot.
  • Top the chicken and beans with taco seasoning and salsa.
  • Cook on low for 5-5.5 hours, then shred.
  • Serve the finished salsa chicken with your own favorite taco accoutrements.

Notes

Note: Use two or three (or a little more…) pounds of chicken, depending on what you have on hand, how many leftovers you want, or how “saucy” you like your chicken. This recipe is super forgiving.

Recipes in the real world

weekly ALDI meal plans from Mashup Mom -- six complete dinners for four, $60 out the door! MashupMom.com, every Wednesday.

Be sure not to miss the free ALDI meal plans, which show you how to use these easy family recipes to meal plan affordably and realistically for your family. Or, find more recipe ideas with the Recipe Search!

Recipe Rating




Jeanne Pyrz

Tuesday 23rd of July 2019

Delicious and easy! I did it in my pressure cooker for 30 minutes and the chicken was easily shredded. I was worried about needing extra liquid but it did fine. I think you vould add 1/2 cup of broth or water and it would still be perfect. I used 2.5 pounds of chicken and we had more than enough for 3 people for dinner and then for loaded nachos the next night.

Katherine

Saturday 20th of July 2019

My family loved this. My husband asked that next time I also add in a can of corn - he thought it would add some nice texture and crunch!

Tricia Rasmussen

Wednesday 17th of July 2019

How would you change this for instant pot? Thank you!!

Jeanne Pyrz

Tuesday 23rd of July 2019

Delicious and easy! I did it in my pressure cooker for 30 minutes and the chicken was easily shredded. I was worried about needing extra liquid but it did fine. I think you vould add 1/2 cup of broth or water and it would still be perfect. I used 2.5 pounds of chicken and we had more than enough for 3 people for dinner and then for loaded nachos the next night.

Liz

Monday 22nd of July 2019

I'm giving it a go with 1 cup of strained salsa and the reserved liquid from the salsa topped up to 1 cup with water. 10 minutes on high pressure with a 10 minute natural release.

rachel

Wednesday 17th of July 2019

I haven't made it in the Instant Pot because it works so well in the Crock-Pot for me, lol. But if I were to do so, I'd set it for high pressure for 12-14 minutes, then do 10 minutes natural release before venting. (If you use a really chunky salsa, you might thin it out with just a bit of broth or water so that there is enough liquid.)

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