Easy Tender Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken Recipe for Perfect Weeknight Dinners
A fuss-free slow cooker recipe that transforms chicken breasts into juicy, tender, and flavorful salsa verde chicken, perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1½ cups salsa verde (homemade or store-bought)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for sautéing onion and garlic)
Instructions
- Mince garlic and finely chop onion. Optionally, sauté them in olive oil over medium heat for about 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- In a bowl, combine salsa verde, sautéed or raw onion and garlic, ground cumin, lime juice, and chopped cilantro. Stir well.
- Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker and season with salt and pepper.
- Pour the salsa verde mixture evenly over the chicken, coating well.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until chicken is tender and shreds easily.
- Shred the chicken in the slow cooker using two forks or shredder claws, mixing it with the salsa verde juices. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve warm or cool and refrigerate for meal prep. Optionally, reduce sauce by cooking uncovered on high for 15-20 minutes if too thin.
Notes
Sautéing onion and garlic mellows sharpness and adds richness but can be skipped for a quicker prep. Use boneless skinless chicken thighs for juicier meat, adjusting cooking time accordingly. If sauce is too thin after shredding, reduce by cooking uncovered on high for 15-20 minutes. Add jalapeños or chili powder for extra heat. The recipe freezes well for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 35
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, salsa verde chicken, easy chicken recipe, tender chicken, weeknight dinner, meal prep, Mexican chicken