Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken is the easiest way to prepare Mexican chicken! Chicken breasts in tomatillo green chili salsa slow-cooked and simmered to perfection. This wonderfully simple, perfectly seasoned, juicy, crazy flavorful chicken is ideal for tacos, tostadas, burritos or just served over cilantro lime rice!

Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken

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.

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.

Traditional salsas are usually red because their main ingredient is tomatoes. With Salsa Verde, it’s green color 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 tomatillo green chili salsa 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?
This is a dump and go dinner. No heavy lifting here.. just add your ingredients to your slow cooker, hit the ON button and go about your day.

Tomatillo Green Chili Salsa Ingredients

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – Perfect tender chicken every time and shreds easily.
Bottle of Salsa Verde – You can find a jar of pre-made salsa verde usually where you would pick up packets of taco seasoning and tortillas.
Can of green chilies – Easy way to add some heat to this slow cooker chicken recipe.
Garlic – All things good start with fresh garlic.
Cumin – Smokey earthy flavors
Onion powder – Flavor
Salt / Pepper – Enhances the flavors of your dish
Cilantro – If you don’t like cilantro, feel free to substitute it for parsley.
Lime – Zesty, citrus flavor

Step by Step 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.

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.
The green salsa is the star of the show so be sure to use a salsa with tons of flavor. I look for salsas with little charred bits and slightly chunky.
Use fresh garlic for this recipe instead of garlic powder for a better taste.
Green salsa does not usually pack much heat. Add in a couple of diced jalapeno or Anaheim peppers to your chicken while it simmers in your slow cooker.

Salsa Verde Chicken Storage

Any leftover Salsa Verde Chicken can be stored inside an airtight container and moved to the fridge for up to 4 days.

What Kind of Chicken Should You Use?

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – I prefer to use boneless chicken breasts for this recipe because they are easy to shred and the meat always comes out juicy and tender.
Chicken Thighs – If you prefer dark meat, substitute the chicken breasts for chicken thighs.
Chicken Tenders – This crock pot salsa chicken recipe can be made with chicken tenders, just be sure to reduce your cooking time down to about 3 hours or so.

Serving Ideas

Tacos and burritos: Using Mexican 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 cilantro lime 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 Foods

Enjoy ♥ Heather