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This Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken is so easy to make and uses only 4 ingredients. Packed with Mexican flavors and topped with gooey cheese, no one has to know you didn’t spend all day working on it.
5-Star Reader Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I made it this afternoon. OMG! This four ingredient chicken recipe is a keeper! My experience was amazing. I am happy that I have got the same result (at least, external look) as yours:)” – Irina
“Oh wow, what a simple recipe to prepare salsa verde chicken in a crock pot. Minimal ingredients, so perfect when I don’t have much in my pantry. 🙂” – Anita
The Most Versatile Salsa Verde Chicken
Who knew salsa verde chicken could be so easy to make? Really, it is almost TOO easy. I love making this on those days I really just don’t feel like making dinner. I usually serve it over plain white rice, but it’s also delicious shredded in tacos (like these Easy Chicken Tacos), with our Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas, over nachos (try it with these Oven Nachos), or in Taco Soup. I always make extra so I can use the leftovers for quick, easy meals later. This one simple recipe can turn into several effortless dinners!
🩷 Erica
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts – I usually use boneless skinless chicken breasts because it provides a lot of good meat, but chicken thighs also work great. Season with salt for added flavor.
- Salsa verde – I like Herdez or Trader Joe’s brand, but any brand will be fine. Use your favorite to get your preferred flavors.
- Monterey Jack cheese – I always get the block and shred it myself, but you can always use pre-shredded in a pinch.
- Cilantro – This is optional but I love cilantro so I usually add a good handful. You can also add a squeeze of fresh lime to brighten the flavors.
How to Make Salsa Verde Chicken in the Slow Cooker
- Season chicken with salt and place in the slow cooker. Pour salsa verde evenly over the top.
- Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-5 hours or until cooked through and shreds easily.
- About 30 minutes before serving, sprinkle cheese evenly over chicken.
- Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and serve!
Serving Ideas
There are infinite ways you can enjoy this chicken. You can serve the chicken breasts whole over a bed of rice or shred it up right in the slow cooker (with the sauce) and put it in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, nachos, soups, salads… really the possibilities are endless! Serve it one way the first night, then use the leftovers for an easy, second meal.. Honestly, my kids don’t even notice that I am using the same chicken when it is served in a different dish.
Tips and Suggestions
Make it creamy – Try adding a splash of heavy cream to the salsa verde for a creamier sauce. Don’t add milk or half and half because it will separate. If you want it creamy, only use heavy cream.
Don’t lift the lid – Once you get the chicken cooking, avoid lifting the lid until the end of the cooking time. You want to keep that heat in the entire time.
Add a little zing – I actually love adding a squeeze of fresh lime over the chicken before serving. It gives it a nice little citrus boost.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s better to thaw chicken first. Slow cookers heat slowly, so frozen meat can stay in a “danger zone” too long, risking food safety. Plus, any time I have put frozen chicken breasts in the slow cooker, it waters down the sauce.
Yes! Boneless, skinless thighs are a great substitute!
If you find that your sauce is too watery you can always try to drain off the excess liquid or simmer it down on the stove top.
Read More: 75+ Best Mexican Recipes
More Mexican-Style Chicken Recipes
Have you tried this Salsa Verde Chicken recipe? I’d love to hear what you think! Drop a comment below and let me know how you liked it and all the different dishes you have made with it. And don’t forget to take a pic and tag us on Instagram @favoritefamilyrecipes! 📸🍗
Crockpot Salsa Verde Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
- sea salt, (to taste)
- 16 ounces salsa verde , (We like Herdez or Trader Joe’s brand)
- 1 1/2 cups Monterey jack cheese, shredded (or to taste)
- ⅓ – 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Spray Crockpot with cooking spray. Season chicken generously with salt and place evenly over the bottom of the crock pot and cover with salsa verde.
- Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-5 hours or until cooked through.
- About 30 minutes to an hour before serving, sprinkle cheese evenly over chicken.
- Remove individual chicken breasts from Crockpot, sprinkle with cilantro (optional) and serve!
Equipment
- Crock Pot (Slow Cooker)
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Oh wow, what a simple recipe to prepare salsa verde chicken in a crock pot. Minimal ingredients, so perfect when I don’t have much in my pantry. 🙂
Yum! That chicken looks incredible! So easy too! Such a great use of the crock pot.
I made it this afternoon. OMG! This four ingredient chicken recipe is a keeper! My experience was amazing. I am happy that I have got the same result (at least, external look) as yours:)
These pics look absolutely mouth-watering! Making this ASAP thanks for sharing. 🙂
Such an easy recipe and I’m super super it’s going to be delicious. My kids would love to have this for any meal
I make the same thing at home but without the cheese since I do it in my instant pot.
When I make this dish I always add half a chopped union, two bay leaves and I season the salsa verde with cayenne pepper, salt and pepper to spice up the taste. Perfect for taco Tuesday, Delicious!
Cant wait to try this ! How do you make your cilantro lime rice ?
The simple way is we just add a squeeze of lime and a small handful of chopped cilantro to the rice while is it cooking– and we cook in it chicken broth rather than water. Hope this helps!
Do you have a crockpot recipe book out on the shelves? I would love to purchase one!!!
We don’t have one on the shelves but might consider doing an e-book in the future! Thanks for the interest and we will do what we can!
Love love the recipe. So easy and fast. I added onions in mine to add some texture.
We are so glad you liked it! Adding onions is a great idea to add texture and flavor!
The salsa verde from Trader Joe’s wasn’t spicy enough so it could use a little hot sauce. I served it over rice and black beans.
Do you thaw the chicken first, or throw it in the crock frozen? I’ve seen it done both ways…Just curious!
You are SUPPOSED to thaw chicken always before it goes in a slow cooker.. (food safety).. but we will throw it in frozen if we are in a rush. The only drawback is that when it thaws it can make the sauce watery.
This looks so delicious! Easy is what I love!
I just threw this together in my crockpot! Can’t wait!!! Please give me the recipe for the taco soup to use the left overs in!!! I dont want to follow a standard recipe as it already has salsa verde and cheese in it 🙂 Thank you!!