Ever suffered through chicken cooked in the slow cooker that tasted like sawdust wrapped in regret? Yup, been there. Slow cooker chicken usually turns out dry and bland. Yuck. And this is usually because it’s WAY overcooked.

Not this recipe. I’ve tested this salsa slow cooker chicken countless times, and trust me, it’s done way sooner than you think and tastes way better.

This is a meal preppers chicken dream —seasoned, shredded, and ready to party in any recipe or even solo. Three ingredients, minimal effort, and a couple hours later, you’re set for dinner magic.

Gather Your Ingredients

Boneless, Skinless Chicken breasts
Salsa – Use your favorite jar of salsa here
Taco Seasoning Packet – Make sure it’s gluten free! I use Siete or McCormick gluten free taco seasoning. You can also mix up your own taco seasoning.

How to Make Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

Spray your slow cooker lightly with cooking spray or oil.
Place chicken breasts (thawed) in the slow cooker.
Sprinkle taco seasoning evenly over the chicken.
Pour salsa right over the top and mix it all up.
Cook on low for 4 hours. Seriously, that’s enough. I don’t recommend cooking chicken breasts on high.
Shred the chicken with two forks, or meat shredders, give it a stir to soak up all the juicy goodness, and serve.

slow cooker salsa chicken before it's cooked.

Recipe Tidbits

Listen, frozen chicken is not your friend today. It has to be thawed for this recipe. And don’t skip greasing your slow cooker—unless you’re into scrubbing burnt bits (spoiler: you’re not).

My slow cooker is the no frills Hamilton Beach model, but it works just fine. Some slow cookers run hot, especially the newer models. If that’s the case, you may find that your chicken is done sooner (even sooner than the 4 hours).

You can test your chicken with a meat thermometer around the 3.5 hour mark, if you want. Chicken should be an internal temp of 165 degrees when it’s fully cooked. You’ll also be able to tell when it’s totally opaque and shreds nicely. I’ve never had to go longer than 4 hours with this amount of boneless, skinless chicken breasts (that is, 1.5-2 lbs).

Variations and Substitutions

Got chicken thighs instead of breasts? Perfect. Thighs work great and stay juicy too. Ran out of taco seasoning packets or want to get fancy? Mix up your own spices—3 tablespoons of your homemade blend is all you need. Dairy-free friends, double-check your spice packet and salsa, but this recipe is naturally dairy-free.

How to Use Shredded Salsa Chicken

This shredded salsa chicken is your weeknight hero. Enchiladas, burrito bowls, pasta dishes, tortilla soup, wraps—or just eat it with a fork and a smile. The chicken doesn’t judge; it’s here to help with dinner.

Storage / Make Ahead Tips

Meal-preppers, rejoice. Cook this chicken once and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Or use it in your favorite meal idea (see above) and freeze it. Just remember to eat frozen meals within 2 months for best taste.