Don’t you love that feeling you get when 3 o’clock rolls around and you think, “What on earth should I make for dinner?” and then you remember that you actually remembered to throw a little something in the crockpot, turn that little knob to LOW, and then went about your day. YES! I just love it when I know that dinner is well on its way, even when I’m out and about!
This is a crazy easy, crazy simple crockpot recipe that is really versatile. We’re talking five ingredients for the taco filling counting the chicken. One of the ingredients is my favorite salsa verde from Trader Joe’s. You can find it by the chips!
You can use it in tacos of course, or you can use it to top your nachos, fill your enchiladas, or even to add some protein to your salad. If you have leftovers, you’ll be so happy to see them waiting for you in your fridge the next day. We went with some old school crunchy taco shells, and topped the Creamy Salsa Verde Chicken filling with romaine lettuce, monterey jack cheese, diced avocado and a drizzle of sour cream. The whole family loved them!
So do yourself a favor this week, and let dinner practically make itself! And by the way, wouldn’t it be awesome if someone would invent a self-cleaning crockpot? Sorry if my laziness is showing again!
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Easy Creamy Crockpot Salsa Verde Chicken
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
Five simple ingredients plus your crockpot and dinner is done!
Ingredients
- 4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 5–6 large)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 2 cups salsa verde (I love Trader Joe’s)
Instructions
- Add chicken to the crockpot, and then top with seasonings, cubed cream cheese, and salsa.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Shred the chicken with two forks. Use a whisk to mix the remaining sauce in the crockpot. The cream cheese may look a little lumpy, but it will smooth out as you stir.
- Add the shredded chicken back to the crockpot. Cook on low for another half hour to allow the chicken to absorb the creamy salsa verde sauce. I usually turn my crockpot to the “warm” setting at this point. The sauce will thicken up slightly as it cools.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 665
- Sugar: 4.2g
- Sodium: 823mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10.1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7.7g
- Fiber: 1.6g
- Protein: 97g
- Cholesterol: 295mg
Marla Meridith says
This recipe looks wonderful!! Pinned & trying soon 🙂
Julie says
Thank you Marla. Hope you love it too!
Melanie @ Garnish & Glaze says
I love crockpot meals! And creamy chicken with salsa verde sounds like a dream. I don’t think you can ever go wrong with adding cream cheese to food.
Julie says
So true Melanie! Thanks!
Matt Robinson says
Perfect flavors, love everything in these and beautiful pictures too. Wow!
Julie says
Thanks Matt 🙂
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
These look incredible! I love coming home to a cooked meal in my slow cooker and can’t wait to try these… the creamy salsa verde sounds (and looks) delicious!
Julie says
It really is the best feeling! Thanks Amy!
Stephanie says
This is my kind of dinner! I love making chicken for tacos in the crockpot!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
I love the simplicity of this. We recently got a Trader Joe’s in our area. I still haven’t gone. But now I will have to and add this salsa to my list.
Julie says
Thanks Katie! You’ll love Trader Joe’s. So many fun things to buy plus great flowers and fresh produce too.
Valerie | From Valerie's Kitchen says
I love the simplicity of this dish. I have a pork chili verde post in the works but love the idea of using chicken. Looks wonderful, Julie!
Julie says
Thanks Valerie! And why do I always forget about pork? Sounds delicious!
Katya @ Little Broken says
I love the simplicity of this recipe and that it’s crockpot! I love crockpot food, esp in the colder days. Beautiful pics btw 🙂
Julie says
Thank you Katya. I’m hoping to really make good use of my crockpot this year!
Alyssa (Everyday Maven) says
I love dishes like this that can be used a zillion different ways!
Dominica says
Love how easy this recipe is! Any suggestions for omitting the cream cheese for a dairy free version?
Julie says
Hi Dominica, I’m really not sure of a dairy free sub for cream cheese.
Crystal says
I used fake cream cheese. Found next to real cream cheesecr
Laura says
I’ve made this with only the salsa verde and it’s still delicious.
Karen says
Oh wow! I am so putting this in the rotation! Love crock pot meals — and with being self employed and a mama and on the go what could be better! One question–do you think that regular red salsa would work?
Julie says
Hi Karen! Yes, you can use red salsa, but it will have a different flavor and kind of a pinkish color when mixed with the cream cheese 🙂
Karen says
Thank you for the quick reply! I well be making this tomorrow and I will let you know how it turns out! Been craving chicken tacos!
marni says
Made this tonight for dinner. The only change I made was to replace the garlic powder for garlic salt. As my dh is gluten free, I served on a bed of cilantro scallion slaw topped with a dollop of homemade guac. Delish!!! This one is going into my regular rotation… tastes like a lot more work than it is. Thank you for the recipe!
Julie says
Hi Marni, I’m so glad you like it! That’s so funny that you mentioned the garlic salt. I originally made it that way and felt it was a bit too salty so changed it to garlic powder 🙂
Gayle says
We are about to dive into this dish and it smells fantastic. The kids can’t wait. Try using a crock pot liner, much easier clean-up. It is sold near the plastic wrap in the grocery store.
Julie says
Love it. Thanks for the tip Gayle!
Karina says
Hi! This sounds & looks delicious. Might seem like a silly question, but is the chicken raw or cooked when we first put it in the crockpot? Thanks in advance (:
Julie says
Hi Karina! The chicken is not cooked before going into the crockpot, and you can even use frozen. Thanks for your question!
sophie says
So I can put frozen chicken right in the crock pot? How many does this feed? I’m cooking for about 60 people
Julie says
This recipe serves 6-8 people. I have used frozen chicken breasts before. In that case, turn your heat on high for the first 2-3 hours and then turn it to low for the next 5-6 hours.
Monica says
Saw this recipe on Pinterest and made it a few days later…my family and guests loved loved loved it! Super easy, and super yummy! Thank you for sharing!
Julie says
I’m so glad you liked it! You are very welcome!
Callan says
I already know this is going to be delicious. I do salsa chicekn tacos a lot which is similar (chicken, salsa and taco seasoning) and top it with avocado, cheese, sour cream. Any suggestions on what to top these Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos with?? Thanks for the recipe! Like everyone else, i LO VE crockpot meals!
Julie says
We liked ours topped with shredded lettuce, cheese, avocado, cilantro and sour cream. You could also add red onions and tomatoes. Hope you enjoy!
Stephanie says
I finally made these tonight and loved them! Such a fun change of pace for tacos. They were great topped with avocado and quesadilla cheese.
Julie says
So glad you enjoyed!
Jessica S says
Have you ever done this on the High setting? I totally read the recipe wrong and will need it in less time than the 6-8 on low…
Julie says
I haven’t done it on high yet. I would guess around 4 hours?
Jessica S says
Thanks! I looked at a few websites and they said for 6-8 hour dishes it;s around 3-4 hours. I’ll try it at 4 and see how it turns out! Very excited to try it!
Meghan W says
Hi!
It’s in the crockpot now- my first experiment with my new crock pot and I am SO excited! Quick question- if I halved the recipe, will it take less time to cook? Thanks!
Julie says
It might take a little less time but all crockpots are a little varied when it comes to temp so you might have to just see how yours does. Hope you enjoy!
Melanie says
self cleaning crockpot….? Sounds like you need to try crock pot bags! They’re amazing!! Line the crockpot and cook everything then throw it away when you’re done. Sometime I don’t even have to wipe it it afterwards!
Julie says
Melanie, I really DO need to remember to use those liners! You are so right.