When time is short but flavor is a must, this creamy crockpot salsa chicken is your ticket to a satisfying meal with almost zero stress. With just a few everyday ingredients and minimal prep, you can have a rich, cheesy, slightly spicy dish that’s perfect for everything from tacos to rice bowls.
This recipe is a busy cook’s dream. Chicken breasts go into the slow cooker with chunky salsa and a block of cream cheese—no chopping or searing required. After a few hours, the chicken is so tender it practically shreds itself, and the salsa and cream cheese combine into a smooth, velvety sauce that clings to every bite.
The result is a flavorful and versatile shredded chicken that works well in tacos, burritos, quesadillas, over baked potatoes, or even in a sandwich. It’s the kind of recipe you can rely on for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, especially when you’re feeding a hungry crowd with minimal effort. You can even adjust the heat level depending on your salsa choice or add jalapeños if you like it hot. Whether served fresh or used as a leftover meal base, this dish is both convenient and delicious.
Ingredients (Serves 6)
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6–8 ounces each)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
24 ounces chunky salsa (1 jar)
8 ounces cream cheese (1 brick)
Instructions
Spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot in an even layer. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the chicken.
Pour the salsa evenly over the chicken, then place the block of cream cheese on top.
Cover and cook on high for 3½ hours or on low for 6–8 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Once cooked, stir everything together to combine, then shred the chicken using two forks directly in the pot. Mix well so the shredded chicken is coated in the creamy salsa sauce.
Serve in tacos, over rice, on nachos, in burritos, or however you like.
Nutritional and Dietary Notes
This dish offers a good source of protein from the chicken and includes calcium and healthy fats from the cream cheese. Depending on the type of salsa and cream cheese used, the dish can be adjusted to be lower in fat or sodium. Opting for a low-fat cream cheese can reduce the calorie content. This recipe is naturally gluten-free if your salsa and cream cheese are certified gluten-free, but it is not dairy-free or vegan. For a spicier version, feel free to add hot sauce or jalapeños.
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