Easy Tender 3-Ingredient Crockpot Salsa Chicken Recipe for Busy Weeknights
A simple and comforting slow cooker recipe using just chicken breasts, salsa, and cream cheese that yields tender, flavorful chicken perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 7 hours on LOW or 3 to 4 hours on HIGH
- Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes (LOW) or 3 hours 5 minutes (HIGH)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 ½ cups salsa (chunky, medium-spiced recommended)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Set aside.
- Pour 1 ½ cups of salsa into the bottom of the slow cooker, spreading evenly.
- Place the chicken breasts on top of the salsa.
- Cut 8 ounces of softened cream cheese into chunks and scatter over the chicken and salsa. Do not stir.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours until chicken reaches 165°F and is tender enough to shred.
- Remove chicken breasts with tongs to a plate and shred finely using two forks or a stand mixer paddle attachment.
- Return shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir until cream cheese melts fully into the salsa, creating a creamy sauce.
- Cook uncovered on LOW for 15-20 minutes to thicken the sauce. Optionally, thicken with a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of cold water if needed.
Notes
Use softened cream cheese to avoid lumps. Choose chunky salsa for texture or blend for smooth sauce. Adjust salsa heat level to taste. For frozen chicken, add about 1 hour extra cooking time on LOW. Optionally add cumin or chili powder for extra flavor. To thicken sauce, use cornstarch slurry if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Protein: 35
Keywords: crockpot chicken, salsa chicken, slow cooker recipe, easy dinner, 3-ingredient recipe, tender chicken, creamy salsa chicken