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    Home » Food

    Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken with Queso

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    This easy to make Crockpot Salsa Chicken is a delicious combination of chicken and salsa and then topped with creamy queso.

    It makes an excellent weeknight meal that the entire family will love. You can use this chicken in burrito bowls, tacos, or serve it with rice and beans.

    crockpot salsa chicken with queso topped with cilantro tomatoes and red onion in a bowl

    This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you decide to purchase through my link, I may earn a very small commission at no additional cost to you.

    Why I love Crockpot Salsa Chicken

    This 4 ingredient crockpot dinner is easy to make, works great for meal prep, and requires minimal work. All you need to do is combine the ingredients, cover, and cook.

    Ingredients for Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

    • Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast
    • Garlic Salt
    • Pepper (optional)
    • Salsa
    • Chile Con Queso

    What kind of salsa should I use?

    I always recommend using your favorite salsa, whatever brand and type that might be.

    ingredients for crockpot salsa chicken with queso

    How to Make Salsa Chicken (Crockpot Version)

    Detailed instructions and measurements to make Crockpot Salsa Chicken with Queso are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

    1. Season the chicken breasts on both sides with garlic salt (and pepper if using) and place them in the crockpot.
    2. Pour the salsa over the chicken.
    3. Pour the chile con queso over the salsa.
    4. Place the lid on the crockpot and cook on LOW 4-6 hours or until the chicken is cooked through. Serve and enjoy! You can shred the chicken or leave it whole.
    seasoned chicken in crockpot
    seasoned chicken with salsa in crockpot sleeve
    chicken salsa and queso in crockpot
    crockpot salsa chicken with queso cooked in the slow cooker sleeve

    How to serve Crockpot Salsa Chicken with Queso

    • Shredded over rice
    • In burrito bowls
    • With a side of rice and beans
    • Inside tacos
    • Topped with fresh tomatoes, sour cream, and red onion
    • With a squeeze of lime juice

    Tips for this Salsa Chicken Crockpot Recipe

    Don't overcook your chicken. A lot of crockpot chicken recipes call for cooking on low 6-8 hours. This can often result in tough, overcooked chicken.

    Most chicken only needs 4-6 hours.

    I don't recommend cooking on high. The chicken can become dry and the cheese may burn against the sides.

    Can I make this in the oven instead of the crockpot?

    Yes, you can follow the instructions, but just add it to a casserole dish. Bake in a 375°F oven for 30-40 minutes depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts.

    crockpot salsa chicken with queso topped with cilantro tomatoes and red onion in a bowl

    Salsa Chicken Crockpot FAQ

    Is it safe to slow cook chicken in a crockpot?

    Yes, it is absolutely safe to slow cook chicken in a crockpot as long as you cook it until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

    Can you put raw chicken in a slow cooker?

    You can put raw chicken in a slow cooker. You can leave it whole or cut it into pieces. Either way, just be sure to cook it thoroughly.

    Can I put frozen chicken in the crockpot?

    You can put frozen chicken in the crockpot, but you may not end up with as tender of a result as you would with thawed chicken.

    Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in crockpot?

    It is better to cook chicken on low in the crockpot. The slower it cooks, the more tender the result will be.

    How long does chicken take to cook in crockpot?

    Chicken takes 4-6 hours to cook on low in the crockpot or 2-3 hours on high.

    How long does thin chicken take in crockpot?

    Thin sliced chicken usually takes only 3-4 hours on low in the crockpot.

    Can you overcook chicken in a slow cooker?

    Yes, you can overcook chicken in the slow cooker. It’s a common mistake people make. Chicken only needs about 4 hours on low in the slow cooker. If you leave it cooking all day on low (8 hours), you will likely have overcooked chicken that has a different texture and isn’t as tender.

    Substitutions for this Chicken Salsa Crockpot Recipe

    • Garlic Salt - you can replace the garlic salt with taco seasoning. Just be aware of the amount of chili powder and cayenne pepper in your taco seasoning combined with the salsa and chile con queso.
    • Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast - boneless skinless chicken thighs also work well in this recipe. You will likely need less cooking time depending on the size of the thighs so keep this in mind if you make this substitution.

    Can I substitute chicken thighs for the chicken breasts?

    Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Depending on the size of the thighs, you'll likely need less cook time.

    Can I use garlic powder in place of garlic salt?

    You can, but you'll likely want to add a little salt to the chicken when seasoning it.

    How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat Crockpot Chicken and Salsa

    This chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

    When you are ready to reheat this recipe, you can place it covered, in the microwave for 45 seconds at a time. You'll need to be careful not to burn the queso.

    If you do too much time at once, it'll burn.

    Other Recipes

    • Crockpot Chicken Tacos
    • Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
    • Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken
    crockpot salsa chicken with queso topped with cilantro tomatoes and red onion in a bowl

    Crockpot Salsa Chicken

    This easy to make Crockpot Salsa Chicken is a delicious combination of chicken and salsa and then topped with creamy queso.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 4 hrs
    Total Time 4 hrs 5 mins
    Course Dinner, Main Course, Main Dish, Main Dishes
    Cuisine American, Tex-Mex
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 437 kcal
    Protein 38 g

    Equipment

    • crockpot

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
    • 2 teaspoons garlic salt
    • 14 ounces chile con queso
    • 16 ounces salsa
    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper optional

    Instructions
     

    • Season the chicken breast on both sides with garlic salt (and pepper if using). Place in the crockpot.
    • Pour the salsa over the chicken.
    • Pour the chile con queso over the salsa.
    • Cook on LOW 4-6 hours or until cooked through. Serve and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Crockpot Salsa Chicken
    Serving Size
     
    0.25 of recipe
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    437
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    24
    g
    37
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    14
    g
    88
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    1
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    147
    mg
    49
    %
    Sodium
     
    3719
    mg
    162
    %
    Potassium
     
    988
    mg
    28
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    17
    g
    6
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    11
    g
    12
    %
    Protein
     
    38
    g
    76
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    1225
    IU
    25
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    4
    mg
    5
    %
    Calcium
     
    399
    mg
    40
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Keyword chicken, crockpot, meal prep, slow cooker
    Have you tried this recipe? Please let us know how it was in the comments or tag us on Instagram @sweetlysplendid!

    Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy. It should only be used for estimation purposes and is not a guarantee of any kind. Nutritional information varies widely between brands and types of ingredients used. It is recommended that you calculate the nutritional information based on your own ingredients and brands used. Sweetly Splendid, LLC makes no guarantees as to the exact nutrition information.

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    Kara is a wife & mother living deep in the heart of Texas. She loves all things food and spending time with her family and dogs. She has a passion for cooking and loves making yummy, family-friendly recipes.

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