Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken

Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken is the easiest way to prepare southwest chicken!  Chicken breasts, green chilies and seasoned salsa verde sauce slow-cooked and simmered to perfection.. Perfect for tacos, tostadas, burritos or just served over rice!

When it comes to easy slow cooker meals, this Salsa Verde Chicken is at the top of my favorites list!

Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love their slow cooker for forget-about-it meals?

When life gets crazy and you don’t have time to stop at the store or look for a new recipe to made, firing up that slow cooker and going about your day is the best way to solve that problem. 

That’s what makes this Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken recipe so perfect …

All you have to do add chicken breasts, a few seasonings, a jar of salsa verde, turn that slow cooker ON and go! This is seriously the perfect meal for busy families.

what is salsa verde?

Mexican Salsa Verde or ‘green sauce’ is generally prepared with tomatillos, serrano chiles, cilantro, garlic and onion.

It is very easy to make and can be as spicy or mild as you prefer. The green color mostly comes from the tomatillos, which are a small green fruit. 

You can made homemade Salsa Verde very easily or find a pre-made jar of Salsa Verde where you find taco seasonings and such in your local supermarket.

why this salsa verde chicken is the BEST

• This slow cooker salsa verde chicken recipe is seriously easy!!! You add in a handful of ingredients and let you slow cooker do the work for you.
• Who doesn’t love perfectly seasoned chicken? … anyone? …..
• Salsa Verde Chicken is perfect to add to so many dishes. Tacos? Yes! Burritos? Yes! Salads? Yes!
• Salsa verde can be as mild or spicy as you like. Feel free to experiment with heat levels to really give your slow cooker chicken a punch!
• Perfect slow cooker chicken recipe to make ahead of time and move to the freezer for an easy dinner at a later time.
• Great salsa verde chicken recipe to feed a large group of people. Um .. hello? .. football parties, anyone?

To make this crock-pot Salsa Verde Chicken recipe, you will need:

• Chicken breasts
• Bottle of salsa verde
• Can of green chilies
• Garlic
• Cumin
• Onion powder
• Salt / Pepper
• Cilantro
• Lime

how to make salsa verde chicken in a slow cooker

 Add chicken breasts into the slow cooker (4-7 quart) and pour in your favorite pre-made jar of salsa verde, green chilies, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper.

Cover the slow cooker and cook for 4-5 hours on Low or 3 hours on High. 

Once cooked, move chicken (leave sauce in the slow cooker) to a cutting board and shred chicken with a fork.

Return chicken to the crock-pot and let stew in the sauce another 15 minutes.  

Squeeze lime over chicken and toss with cilantro. Serve warm.

pro tips for perfect salsa verde chicken

• Adding the green chilies gives this slow cooker salsa verde chicken a bit of a kick but not so much the entire family won’t enjoy. Feel free to leave them out for a milder chicken dish.
• Grab your favorite bottle of salsa verde from the ethnic food aisle of your grocery store or make your own if you prefer. I usually find mine next to pre-made taco seasoning packets.
• Use fresh garlic for this recipe instead of garlic powder for a better taste.
• Looking to add some heat? Add in a couple of diced jalapeno or anaheim peppers to your chicken while it simmers in your slow cooker.

serving ideas

• Tacos and burritos: Using shredded chicken for tacos, tostadas and burritos are my favorite way to enjoy them! Add your favorite toppings along with Chipotle Tomato Salsa for the perfect easy dinner.
• Enchiladas:  I also love using this crock pot salsa verde chicken in enchiladas. Add the shredded chicken to large tortillas wraps, roll and place in a baking pan. Cover in cheese, bake at 350 for 20 minutes and enjoy!
• Over rice: I am a burrito bowl lover so this shredded chicken pairs perfectly with cooked rice topped with some black beans, corn, cotija crumbling cheese and a bit of diced jalapeno.
• Salsa Verde Mac n Cheese: Don’t judge! This is perfect in baked macaroni and cheese and since it’s chicken, it makes it healthy… right?

more easy comfort food recipes

• Chicken Tinga Tostadas
• Mexican Stuffed Peppers
• Mexican Street Corn Chicken Tacos 
• Easy Chicken Enchiladas
• Baked Taco Pasta Casserole

Enjoy ♥ Heather

Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken

Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken is the easiest way to prepare southwest chicken!  Chicken breasts and seasoned salsa verde sauce slow-cooked and simmered to perfection.. Perfect for tacos, tostadas, burritos or just served over rice!

4.92 from 12 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 17kcal

Author: Heather - A Wicked Whisk

Ingredients

• ▢ 3 large chicken breasts uncooked
• ▢ 16 ounces salsa verde
• ▢ 4 ounce can chopped green chilies
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ▢ 1 teaspoon cumin
• ▢ 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
• ▢ 1 lime, juiced

Instructions

• Add chicken breasts into the slow cooker (4-7 quart) and pour in your favorite pre-made jar of salsa verde, green chilies, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper.
• Cover the slow cooker and cook for 4-5 hours on Low or 3 hours on High. 

  Once cooked, move chicken (leave sauce in the slow cooker) to a cutting board and shred chicken with a fork.

  Return chicken to the crock-pot and let stew in the sauce another 15 minutes.  

  Squeeze lime over chicken and toss with cilantro. Serve warm.

Notes

• Adding the green chilies gives this slow cooker salsa verde chicken a bit of a kick but not so much the entire family won't enjoy. Feel free to leave them out for a milder chicken dish.
• Grab your favorite bottle of salsa verde from the ethnic food aisle of your grocery store or make your own if you prefer. I usually find mine next to pre-made taco seasoning packets.
• Use fresh garlic for this recipe instead of garlic powder for a better taste.
• Looking to add some heat? Add in a couple of diced jalapeno or Anaheim peppers to your chicken while it simmers in your slow cooker.

Nutrition

Serving: 16g | Calories: 17kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 0.7g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.33g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.33g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.39g | Cholesterol: 0.52mg | Sodium: 266mg | Potassium: 101mg | Fiber: 0.7g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 2.5mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @AWickedWhisk or tag #AWickedWhisk!

Update Notes: This post was originally published in April of 2018 but was republished with an updated recipe, new photos, step by step instructions and tips in October of 2020.