Printable 4 Ingredient Salsa Chicken
This crock pot salsa chicken recipe makes tender shredded chicken with just a handful of ingredients. It’s one of the easiest slow cooker chicken recipes for tacos, burrito bowls, taco salad, and other quick weeknight dinners.
Servings: 6 people
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts boneless skinless
- 1 packet taco seasoning or 2–3 teaspoons homemade taco seasoning
- 16 ounces jar of salsa chunky salsa or smooth salsa both work
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Instructions
Slow Cooker Chicken Salsa
- Place chicken in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning over the chicken.
- Pour the jar of salsa over the top.
- Add fresh lime juice.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
- When the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, remove it and shred chicken using two forks.
- Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir into the sauce before serving.
Instant Pot Salsa Chicken
- Place chicken, salsa, seasoning, and lime juice in the Instant Pot.
- If the salsa is very thick, add ½ cup water.
- Cook on High Pressure for 12 minutes.
- Allow 10 minutes natural release, then do a quick release.
- Shred chicken and return it to the sauce.
Stovetop 4-Ingredient Salsa Chicken
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken and cook until lightly browned.
- Add salsa, seasoning, and lime juice.
- Reduce heat and simmer 30–40 minutes, until chicken cooks through.
- Remove and shred chicken, then return to the sauce.
Oven Baked Chicken Salsa
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Place chicken in a baking dish.
- Top with salsa, seasoning, and lime juice.
- Cover with foil and bake 30–45 minutes until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature.
- Shred chicken before serving.
Freezer Meal Salsa Chicken
- Place raw chicken, salsa, seasoning, and lime juice in a freezer bag.
- Seal and freeze for up to 2–3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking in the slow cooker.
Video
Notes
If you prefer to skip store-bought seasoning packets, this simple blend works great in this recipe. It’s made with common pantry staples and simple seasonings.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Yield: about 1 packet Ingredients: • 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper • pinch cayenne pepper for extra heat (optional) Instructions:
• sour cream
• fresh cilantro
• green onions
• lime wedges
Yield: about 1 packet Ingredients: • 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper • pinch cayenne pepper for extra heat (optional) Instructions:
- Mix all spices together in a small bowl.
- Use immediately or store in an airtight container for later use.
- This seasoning mix equals about one store-bought taco seasoning packet and works perfectly in this crockpot chicken recipe.
• sour cream
• fresh cilantro
• green onions
• lime wedges