Description
A flavorful and easy Crockpot Salsa Chicken recipe featuring tender chicken thighs cooked slowly with salsa and spices, combined with sweet corn and black beans for a hearty and versatile meal. Perfect for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or served over rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
Salsa Mixture
- 24 oz salsa (your favorite brand, or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Vegetables and Beans
- 1 1/2 cups frozen sweet corn kernels
- 14.5 oz black beans (drained, from a can)
Seasoning and Toppings
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Avocado (freshly sliced)
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Lime wedges
- Extra salsa (optional for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Towel dry the chicken thighs thoroughly to remove excess moisture. Place all the chicken pieces evenly in the crockpot.
- Make Salsa Sauce: In a bowl, combine salsa, garlic powder, onion powder, and ground cumin. Mix until well blended, then spoon this salsa mixture evenly over the chicken thighs in the crockpot.
- Cook Chicken: Cover and cook on low heat for 6 hours if using defrosted chicken, or 8 hours if using frozen chicken, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to become tender.
- Shred Chicken: About 1 hour before cooking time is finished, remove the chicken pieces from the crockpot and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot.
- Add Corn and Beans: Add the frozen sweet corn kernels and drained black beans to the crockpot with the shredded chicken. Stir to combine, then continue cooking uncovered for the last hour. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.
- Serve: Spoon the finished salsa chicken into bowls or use as a filling for tacos, burritos, or enchiladas. Top with sliced avocado, shredded cheddar cheese, and lime wedges. Offer extra salsa on the side if desired for added flavor.
Notes
- Use thick, chunky salsa for a more robust flavor and sauce texture.
- Shredding the chicken before the final hour helps it absorb flavors better and improves texture.
- Serve with tortillas, rice, or as a salad topping for versatile meal options.
- Adjust the spice levels by selecting mild, medium, or hot salsa depending on your preference.
- This recipe freezes well for meal prep; simply cool completely before storing in airtight containers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 234 kcal
- Sugar: 6.4 g
- Sodium: 993 mg
- Fat: 3.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26.6 g
- Fiber: 7.9 g
- Protein: 23.9 g
- Cholesterol: 55.2 mg
