This easy-to-make Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken is super juicy, tender, and packed with delicious savory and tangy flavors. It's the perfect addition to tacos, salads, casseroles, and so much more.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Salsa Verde Chicken Recipe
• 🛒 Ingredients for Crockpot Salsa Verde Chicken
• 🔪 How to Make Salsa Verde Chicken in the Slow Cooker
• 💡 Tips for Making This Salsa Verde Chicken Recipe
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 Ways to Serve This Authentic Salsa Verde Chicken Recipe
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• Can I Make This Baked Salsa Verde Chicken?
• Can I Double This Recipe?
• Is This Shredded Chicken Salsa Verde Healthy?
• How Can I Make This Creamy Salsa Verde Chicken?
• 🍽️ More Delicious Chicken Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Salsa Verde Chicken Recipe

• Tender, juicy chicken
• Slowly cooked in homemade salsa verde
• Shredded and served with fresh lime and cilantro
• Use in tacos, casseroles and more
• Easy to make and family friendly

This easy recipe begins with chicken breasts seasoned with warm, earthy spices before being slow-cooked to perfection in a homemade zesty salsa verde sauce. What makes the super flavorful chicken so wonderful is its versatility. You cook once, but you can create many delicious dishes to enjoy throughout the week. 

Whether served over rice, tucked into tacos, or added to the top of a salad, this savory shredded chicken offers endless possibilities for delicious meals. You can even add leftovers to lettuce wraps or grain bowls for a quick, healthy, and satisfying lunch.

With its incredible, robust flavors and easy prep, this salsa verde chicken is sure to become a staple in your kitchen rotation. If you need other easy crockpot dinner ideas, make sure you check out this Spinach Artichoke Chicken Soup and this Mississippi Crockpot Chicken.

🛒 Ingredients for Crockpot Salsa Verde Chicken

• Chicken
• Salsa Verde
• Garlic
• Cilantro
• Lime
• Ground cumin
• Smoked Paprika
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Slow cooker

🔪 How to Make Salsa Verde Chicken in the Slow Cooker

Prepare the Salsa Verde and set it aside while you get your chicken ready.

Trim any fat off the chicken, then sprinkle the salt and ground black pepper all over the chicken and place them in the insert of your slow cooker.

Pour 2 cups of the salsa verde over the chicken, reserving about ⅓ cup that is left over to use later.

Sprinkle the ground cumin, smoked paprika, and minced garlic over the tops.

Mix up the chicken, making sure that the garlic, spices, and salsa are covering all sides, then cook on high for 2 hours or on low for 4 hours, or until tender.

Remove the chicken, shred it using 2 forks, then add it back into the slow cooker.  Add in the fresh cilantro and lime juice, mix to combine, and serve with the reserved salsa verde over the top.

💡 Tips for Making This Salsa Verde Chicken Recipe

• Homemade is best. While you can easily buy a jar of store-bought salsa verde, the flavors cannot compare to making it from scratch. So seriously, try to make mine, it's easy and you won't regret it!

• For the best flavor, let the shredded chicken soak in the sauce for a few minutes before serving.

• If your chicken breasts are really large, you can slice them lengthwise down to the middle so they'll cook a little quicker.

☑️ Storage Instructions

• Fridge: Store leftovers for 4 to 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
• Freezer: Make an extra batch and freeze for easy meal prep! It’ll stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Thaw it in the fridge overnight, then reheat it in the microwave or the crockpot until warm.

🍴 Ways to Serve This Authentic Salsa Verde Chicken Recipe

• Tacos: Fill warm these Homemade Tortillas with shredded chicken salsa verde. Top with chopped onions, cilantro, sliced avocado, or any of your favorite taco toppings.

• Enchiladas: Roll shredded chicken salsa verde in tortillas, place them in a baking dish, and cover with additional salsa verde sauce and cheese. Bake until bubbling and golden.

• Rice or grain bowls: Layer cooked rice or quinoa in a bowl and top with shredded chicken salsa verde, black beans, corn, avocado slices, and a dollop of sour cream.

• Quesadillas: Spread shredded chicken salsa verde between two flour tortillas along with cheese, diced peppers, and onions. Cook in a skillet until golden and crispy on both sides.

• Salads: Spoon some of the chicken mixture over mixed greens, diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, black beans, and corn for a refreshing and protein-packed salad.  

• Wraps: Pile some shredded chicken salsa verde onto lettuce leaves or wrap it in a tortilla along with, tomato, and sliced avocado for a quick and satisfying meal option.

• Stuffed peppers: Fill halved bell peppers with shredded chicken salsa verde and rice or quinoa, then bake until the peppers are tender.

• Nachos: Layer the Homemade Tortilla Chips on a baking sheet, and top with shredded chicken salsa verde, black beans, diced tomatoes, jalapenos, and cheese. Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly.

• Soup: Add shredded chicken salsa verde to a batch of home Chicken Stock. Throw in some carrots, celery, or other diced vegetables for a hearty and comforting soup option.

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Vegetables: Feel free to add other veggies like diced onions, bell peppers, or jalapenos to the slow cooker along with the other ingredients.

• Beans: Stir in a can of drained and rinsed black beans or pinto beans during the last hour of cooking. They add extra protein and fiber.

• Corn: Add frozen or canned corn kernels to the slow cooker for a hint of sweetness.

• Tomatoes: Mix in diced fresh tomatoes or canned diced tomatoes with green chilies for added flavor.

• Cheese: Sprinkle shredded Monterey Jack, cheddar, or crumbled queso fresco over the shredded chicken before serving for a cheesy twist.

• Spices: Experiment with different spices such as chili powder, oregano, or coriander to customize the flavor profile to your liking. Red pepper flakes or a little bit of cayenne pepper add a kick of heat.

• Protein options: Instead of chicken breasts, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. You can also use shredded cooked pork for a different twist on the dish.

• Toppings: Serve the shredded chicken salsa verde with a variety of toppings such as diced avocado, sour cream, sliced radishes, fresh lime juice or chopped fresh cilantro.

For another flavorful chicken dinner with a Mexican flair, try this Chicken Fajita Casserole or this Chicken Tinga!

If you're more of beef fan, try this Mississippi pot roast or this Beef Barbacoa that are also both made in the slow cooker and are low carb!

Can I Make This Baked Salsa Verde Chicken?

You sure can. Add the seasoned chicken to a baking dish, cover with salsa verde sauce. Bake in the oven at 375°F for about 45 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165°F when checked with a meat thermometer.

Can I Double This Recipe?

Sure! If doubling the recipe, plan on adding about an hour to an hour and a half cooking time.

Is This Shredded Chicken Salsa Verde Healthy?

You bet! Yes, this recipe is very healthy, especially when compared to many other slow cooker recipes. It's made with lean chicken breasts, which are a good source of protein, and homemade salsa verde, which is low in calories and packed with flavor from fresh ingredients like tomatillos, onions, and cilantro.

How Can I Make This Creamy Salsa Verde Chicken?

If you prefer a creamier sauce, you can add a little heavy cream, a half block of cream cheese, or a little Greek Yogurt. The flavors will change and mellow some, but it will still have wonderful flavor.

🍽️ More Delicious Chicken Recipes

• Southwest Chicken Salad
• Lemon Pepper Chicken Drum Sticks
• Chicken Corn Chowder
• Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
• Greek Sheet Pan Chicken