This five ingredient Salsa Verde Chicken is an easy weeknight slow cooker meal the whole family will love! It's made with jarred salsa verde, chicken, bell peppers, onions and rice and it's ready in a matter without even thinking about it.
When you need a quick weeknight meal, this Salsa Verde Chicken comes to the rescue. You just dump everything into your slow cooker and dinner is ready without even tending to it.
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It's taken me a while to get into slow cooker meals. But now that I have two kids, they are an essential for me to have in my back pocket for crazy weeknights or nights that I just don't feel like cooking (which happens more than you'd think for a food blogger).
If you love slow cooker meals, you already know that they make dinner time so much more simple because you can just pour everything in and cook it the morning of.
I've found that it's even better for me to pour everything in the night before, leave the slow cooker pan in the fridge and take it out the next morning. Then I have NO excuses for not making dinner.
We have had this Salsa Verde Chicken so many times.
For days where I'm out of the house all day, or just your average busy day, those are the days for slow cooker meals like this Salsa Verde Chicken.
Most slow cooker meals are easy. I mean, that's kind of the whole point, right?
But this one takes the cake for being super easy. Why? Well, it only has FIVE ingredients.
I'm all for homemade sauces, but this recipe doesn't need a homemade sauce-- your favorite jar of salsa verde is perfectly fine.
How do you make Salsa Verde Chicken?
This recipe cooks chicken breasts covered in salsa verde, bell peppers and onions in a slow cooker for about 3 hours on high.
For more firm vegetables, add them into the pot in the last 30 minutes.
For a spicier dish, add in jalape?os or green chiles or use a hot version of salsa verde.
Serve over rice, chips or a big pile of saut?d veggies.
One of the great parts about this slow cooker meal is that you don't have to have 8 hours to make it. Half of the time that I think about doing a slow cooker meal, it's too late to get it started.
With this one, you only need 3 hours, but you can definitely leave it cooking for longer if you're leaving it for the day while at work.
What is Salsa Verde?
Salsa verde is a Mexican salsa, literally meaning "green sauce" usually made from tomatillos.
Is Salsa Verde Chicken spicy?
There are a bunch of variations of salsa verde varieties, so you can choose one that fits your family's tolerance of spiciness.
For us, we stick with a mild version so our kids can happily eat it - then we'll add some green chiles on top if we want ours spicier! You could add these in when cooking if you want to have a spicier Salsa Verde Chicken.
Do you need to make homemade salsa verde?
Nope! This recipe uses the jarred stuff. Check the label to see if there are spicy peppers added to it if you want a more spicy version or look for a hot versus mild one.
Can you double this recipe?
Absolutely. It's perfect for doubling for a potluck, bringing a meal to someone or making and freezing half for later!
What can you serve with Salsa Verde Chicken?
We love serving this over a bed of white rice. Serve with chips for a fun twist on nachos! We've even had this on taco boats and wrapped in tortillas for slow cooker tacos. For a low carb, paleo option, serve over a bed of satu?d bell peppers and onions!
Other Mexican Weeknight Meals:
Chicken Enchilada Bruschetta (Instant Pot)
Recommended Tools for Salsa Verde Chicken:
Salsa Verde Chicken (Slow Cooker)
This five ingredient Salsa Verde Chicken is an easy weeknight slow cooker meal the whole family will love! It's made with jarred salsa verde, chicken, bell peppers, onions and rice and it's ready in a matter without even thinking about it.
Ingredients
Salsa Verde Chicken (Slow Cooker)
- 1 lb chicken breasts
- 8 ounces salsa verde (~half a jar)
- ½ cup of diced orange bell pepper
- ½ cup of diced green bell pepper
- 1 onion, diced
To Serve
- 1 cup uncooked white, long grain rice
- Shredded Mexican cheese, optional
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in slow cooker, lined with a cooking liner or sprayed with cooking spray.
- Top with salsa verde, bell peppers and onions.
- Cook on low for 3 hours.
- Cook until chicken is at least 165 degrees internal temperature.
- Cook rice according to package instructions.
- Serve shredded chicken over rice, using a ladle to pour extra sauce and vegetables over rice.
- Top with shredded cheese, if desired.
Notes
For more firm vegetables, reserve them and add to the pot in the last 30 minutes.
For a spicier dish, add in jalape?os or green chiles or use a hot version of salsa verde.
Serve over rice, chips or a big pile of saut?d veggies.
Nutrition information for chicken only does not include rice.
Hayley Navey says
This Salsa Verde Chicken recipe is so simple and flavorful--the perfect quick and easy family dinner recipe! I found this recipe ages ago and have since used it countless times. It's so simple to change up, too, based on what you have in your pantry! We love it in tortillas with a little sour cream!
foody schmoody says
This looks wonderful. I'm an East Coast girl and still feel like I haven't had any good authentic Mexican food. We just don't get it right over here 🙂 Looks like you've got things right! We are featuring this today on The Wednesday Roundup! http://foodyschmoodyblog.com/chicken-tomatoes-artichokes-capers-plus-link-party/
Megan Walker says
Oh Madison, Mexican food (both Tex Mex and the real deal) is one of the things I miss the MOST about Texas. I almost cried the other day when Jared and I found an authentic Mexican food restaurant in-town! This sounds like a great meal to add to my repetoire, especially since salsa verde is one of my favorite things!
Madison says
I know that feeling! I've just learned not to compare the two types of Mexican (real and NOT real haha) and just accept them individually! You'd love this meal I think!
Beckey says
So simple! And I looooove salsa verde! :0) I also always have a bunch of chicken breasts in the freezer.
Beckey
http://www.etsy.com/shop/queenbsbusywork
Jess Elyse says
Oh, this sounds so good. Definitely keeping this one around. I literally think I could eat Mexican food every day. I NEVER tire of tacos! And I once picked up a friend at the airport with tacos in hand. It was a great surprise for her. 🙂
Madison says
Thanks Jess! I hope you'll try it sometime. I like anyone who likes tacos so we can definitely be friends 🙂
Anne says
I've done a crock pot chicken dish in which you just throw in a whole chicken plus a jar of salsa, but this sounds like a great twist on it. Will have to try - I always forget about the crock pot in the summer because most of the recipes I do in it are more savory/hearty type things for winter, but obviously it's a great tool to have on hot summer days in the kitchen!
Madison says
I have always wanted to cook an entire chicken in the crock pot but I don't think it would fit in ours! Do you have an extra large crock pot? Haha
Anne says
No, actually I have a smaller than normal one! Sometimes I really have to cram the thing in, but mostly I just try to buy the smallest sized whole chicken I can find (which works fine anyway because there's only 2 of us to eat it!).
Jana Tolman says
YUM! Oh goodness gracious, I'm seriously in need of a green chile fix now. I think this is going to be my solution. 🙂
Madison says
This'll do the trick! Your whole house will smell like green chile!
Jana Tolman says
That's a happy bonus! 🙂
Jenna Griffin says
I'm drooling! This looks so incredible. Pinning and saving for later this week!
Madison says
You'd love it!! Almost as good as the enchiladas I was going to make you!
Jenna Griffin says
mmmm, enchiladas!!
Madaline says
That looks amazing! And easy. Andddd I have all that in my parents fridge!
Madison says
That's awesome! I'm sure they don't have a lot of salsa verde in Rome, so it's good you're back in the States so you can enjoy this meal! 🙂
Kelly says
This looks and sounds delicious, yum!
xx Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
Madison says
Thanks Kelly! I hope you'll try it 🙂
jbuggica says
Oh yes, I'm right with you on the cuisines I can make all the time. Mexican and Italian are my favorites! This dish looks great too!
Jennifer @ The Foodie Patootie says
Oh yes, I'm right with you on the cuisines I can make all the time. Mexican and Italian are my favorites! This dish looks great too!
Madison says
It's really tasty! 🙂
Gina Alyse says
Yum!! I'm not a big spicy eater, but I love anything with salsa and has the mexican flavor 🙂 Thanks for sharing this! xo, gina
Madison says
I bet you could dilute the sauce somehow or get less spicy salsa verde 🙂
Becca Davis says
I love slow cooker meals in the summer! Thanks for sharing!
Madison says
They're the best! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
FabEllis says
Looks yummy and best of all, EASY!
Madison says
You could skip the peppers and onions and it would be even easier! 🙂
Madison says
Well, I knew I liked you too! 😉 Food soul mates! Cheese dip is the best!! Now I'm wanting Mexican for lunch 🙂
Delia says
SO SIMPLE. I love it. Now I'm wishing I had thrown this in the crock pot before heading to work this morning. Sigh. Pinning it for later 🙂
Madison says
DANG that totally reminds me I did not plan anything for dinner. Womp, womp. You'll have to make this sometime real soon though cause it's so good!
Amy Hodgdon says
This looks SO delicious! I am with you Madison...that I could eat Mexican food like everyday and not grow tired of it....I just LOVE it!
Thanks for sharing a simple recipe that sounds more complicated than it is!
🙂
Amy Hodgdon says
This looks SO delicious! I am with you Madison...that I could eat Mexican food like everyday and not grow tired of it....I just LOVE it!
Thanks for sharing a simple recipe that sounds more complicated than it is!
🙂
Madison says
Don't you love those recipes? Doesn't have to be fancy to be delicious! Let me know if you try this! 🙂
Teresa says
I could eat Italian and Mexican food for the rest of my life and be completely satisfied! haha This looks amazing. I love simple crockpot meals and this one looks right up my ally. Pinning it and putting it on the meal plan for the next week!
Madison says
This is why we are friends 😉 Whenever we do get together, we'll definitely be getting Mexican or Italian for lunch 😉
Teresa says
Definitely! 🙂
Kaitlin Rose says
This looks wonderful! I love Mexican food so much. Husband...not a big fan...but if it comes with white rice he will devour it! And I love that this is a slow cooker recipe! I've been trying to actually use the Crockpot I was so thrilled to get for our wedding and still haven't touched!
Madison says
My husband loves rice, too!! We didn't get a Crockpot for our wedding, but after about a month, I bought one cause I knew we needed it! When you do start using it, get the crock pot bags, they're lifesavers!!
Kelli B says
Sounds delicious! I've made something similar. We're big green chili people! 🙂
Madison says
I swear this salsa verde sauce had green chile in it, because when we walked in after it had been cooking for a while, the whole house smelled like green chile! One of my other favorite parts of using a crock pot 🙂
Logan Cantrell says
Yum!!! Definitely pinning this! It looks delicious!
Madison says
Thanks Logan! It's one of my favorite meals now!
Ursula says
These are great pictures! makes it look tasty
Madison says
Thanks Ursula! It sure was delicious 🙂
Megan Pace says
This looks delicious! I love salsa verde, and the slow cooker is pretty much my best friend! It makes it so easy to get dinner on the table without tons of time or a huge mess.
Madison says
So so true! I'm notoriously bad at using a lot of dishes, so I think my husband enjoys his cleanup duty a lot more when I use the crock pot 😉
Megan Pace says
I pinned this forever ago and finally tried it last night. It was sooo easy and delicious! I made extra to take to a couple of friends who just had babies, and it was a great recipe for packing up and taking to others too!
Alli Smith says
I, too, could eat Italian and Mexican food forever! Pinning!
Madison says
Thanks for pinning Alli! I love this dish so much 🙂
Rachel Walker says
I knew I liked you--italian and Mexican are my favorites, too. Especially Mexican. Cheese dip, salsa, beans...yum. This seems as easy as can be and yet SO delish! I can't wait to make it. Thanks for sharing, sweet friend!
Madison says
Well, I knew I liked you too! 😉 Food soul mates! Cheese dip is the best!! Now I'm wanting Mexican for lunch 🙂
Rachel Cox says
I LOVE mexican, it is my go to for a quick dinner and here is another recipe I can add to my list! So good, salsa verde is a favorite in our house also!
Madison says
It's so so good and I love that it's so easy!
Robyn Black says
oh yum! we are going to make this at the retreat, right?! 😉
Madison says
Haha, it would actually probably be perfect for that! :))
Kaitlin Rose says
I am in full agreement. This has to happen at the retreat!
Hayley says
This looks sooo good! I cook WAY too much "mexican" around these parts, but it's always so easy and tastes SO good!
Madison says
It is so easy! I could live on tortillas I'm pretty sure. I had this meal like four times in a row and it was amazing each time!