Salsa Verde Chicken in Slow Cooker

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5 from 5 votes

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This Salsa Verde Chicken recipe uses just five ingredients! It’s perfect for tacos, sopes or burritos. Minimal effort, maximum flavor.

A slow cooker bowl with shredded chicken and salsa verde garnished with sliced jalapeños.

Green Salsa Chicken

Portrait of Ana Frias

When you’re short on time but still want something good for dinner, this salsa verde chicken hits the spot.

It takes about five minutes to throw everything into the slow cooker, and by the end of the day, you’ve got tender, juicy chicken with a ton of flavor. No extra steps, no chopping, no babysitting.

I’ve made a lot of versions of salsa chicken over the years, but this one is my go-to. Make sure to use my Homemade Salsa Verde recipe as it adds a little tang. The bouillon and garlic powder give it depth, and the chicken turns out perfectly shredded every time.

I like it because it doesn’t try too hard. No long ingredient list. No pre-searing or fancy equipment. Just solid, good food that works for tacos, sopes, over rice or whatever you’re craving.

🩷 xoxo, Ana

Shredded chicken with salsa verde on top of a sope garnished with an avocado.
Delicious Sopes topped with Salsa Verde Chicken and avocado. Perfect for an easy dinner!

How To Make Salsa Verde Chicken

It’s the kind of recipe I lean on when I know the day’s going to be a lot. Just toss it in, forget about it, and come back to a meal that’s ready to go.

Cooking chicken breast with salsa in a crock pot.

Just toss everything into your slow cooker. Start by laying the chicken breasts at the bottom, then sprinkle the bouillon, garlic powder, and pepper right over them. Pour the salsa verde on top—no need to stir.

A crock pot with cooked salsa verde chicken and salsa verde.

Set it and forget it! Cook on low for about 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 3 to 4, until the chicken is nice and tender and shreds easily.

Shredding chicken with two forks on a bowl.

Once it’s cooked, grab two forks and shred the chicken right in the slow cooker. Let it hang out in the juices for a few minutes—it’ll soak up all that good flavor.

A crockpot with shredded salsa verde chicken and salsa verde.

And that’s it! You’re ready to serve. Super easy.

A crockpot with salsa verde chicken and salsa verde garnished with sliced jalapeños.


Tips and Notes

  • Salsa matters. If your salsa is bland, the whole dish will be flat. Look for one with a good balance of tang and heat. I always make my own Salsa Verde and have it ready in the freezer for recipes like this.
  • Chicken thighs work too. If you like dark meat or want it even juicier, you can swap in boneless thighs.

How to Store

  • Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Freezer: Let it cool completely, then freeze in portions for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Microwave or reheat on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water if it looks dry. You can also add more salsa to bring this Salsa Verde Chicken back alive!

A crockpot with salsa verde chicken and salsa verde garnished with sliced jalapeños.

Print Recipe:

A slow cooker bowl with shredded chicken and salsa verde garnished with sliced jalapeños.

Salsa Verde Chicken in Slow Cooker

This easy slow cooker salsa verde chicken recipe uses just five ingredients and is perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, salads, or meal prep. Minimal effort, maximum flavor.
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 250kcal
Author: Ana Frias

Equipment

  • 1 Slow cooker

Ingredients 

  • 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast
  • 2 cups Homemade salsa verde
  • 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • kosher salt to taste

Instructions

  • Add everything to the slow cooker. Place the chicken breasts in the bottom. Sprinkle in the bouillon, garlic powder, and pepper then pour the salsa verde over the top.
  • Cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easy to shred.
  • Shred the chicken. Use two forks to shred it right in the slow cooker. Let it sit in the juices for a few minutes so it can soak everything up.
  • Serve and enjoy. That’s it. It’s ready.

Notes

  • Salsa matters. If your salsa is bland, the whole dish will be flat. Look for one with a good balance of tang and heat. I usually use Herdez or a homemade version.
  • Chicken thighs work too. If you like dark meat or want it even juicier, you can swap in boneless thighs.
  • Freeze it. Make a double batch and freeze half. It reheats really well.
Serving size: 1/8 of recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 150g | Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 2.5g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 5.3g

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5 from 5 votes

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6 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This recipe is genius! Totally hands-off and SO impressive. Will be in my regular dinner rotation for sure.

  2. 5 stars
    I’ve made this several times! The salsa verde is amazing and makes enough for the chicken and to store for chips!
    Curious how to convert this into a ninja foodi or instant pot.

  3. 5 stars
    This posting is in perfect timing for Cinco de Mayo next Monday! I have some of your excellent salsa verde in the freezer. I never thought of cooking the chicken with it in the slow cooker, but, chicken enchilada verde here we come! Thanks so much for your post!

    1. Yes it’s an excellent dish for Cinco De Mayo as you can do soooo many things with it. The enchiladas sound fabulous! Have a great celebration!

  4. 5 stars
    I hope you like this recipe! Do you have any questions I can help you with? Or if you made it, I would love it if you leave a comment or rating ⭐️ 
    Gracias!!!! xx, Ana