Easy Crockpot Salsa Verde Shredded Chicken: Best 3-Ingredient Meal
This incredibly simple recipe uses just three ingredients to create tender, flavorful shredded chicken perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, salads, and more. Set it and forget it in the slow cooker for a versatile, budget-friendly meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes to 6 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 (16-ounce) jar salsa verde (preferably Herdez or Frontera)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional garnishes: fresh cilantro, lime wedges, diced white onion, sliced jalapeño, crumbled cotija cheese
Instructions
- Prep the chicken: Place chicken on a cutting board. Trim excess fat and pat dry with paper towels.
- Season the chicken: Sprinkle cumin, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper evenly over both sides. Rub in gently.
- Add to the slow cooker: Place seasoned chicken in the bottom of a 4-6 quart slow cooker in a single layer.
- Pour the salsa verde: Pour the jar of salsa verde evenly over the chicken. No need to stir.
- Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until chicken shreds easily and reaches 165°F.
- Shred the chicken: Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred with two forks.
- Return to the sauce: Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir into the juices. Let sit 5-10 minutes.
- Season and serve: Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve warm with desired toppings.
Notes
Don’t lift the lid too often during cooking. If chicken is dry, it likely cooked too long. Save the juices after shredding to keep chicken moist. For crispy edges, broil shredded chicken on a baking sheet for 3-5 minutes. Season at the end as salsa verde saltiness varies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 ounces shredded ch
- Calories: 180220
- Sugar: 23
- Sodium: 400600
- Fat: 69
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2832
Keywords: crockpot salsa verde chicken, shredded chicken, 3-ingredient meal, slow cooker chicken, salsa verde, easy dinner, meal prep