Skip to Content

Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken

This slow cooker salsa verde chicken recipe is packed with flavor. Shred the chicken down and serve it in tortillas, lettuce wraps, or plated with sides. This shredded chicken is also great re-used in casseroles. Instructions to make this easy chicken recipe in the Instant Pot are also included.

salsa verde chicken

Ingredients For Salsa Verde Chicken

  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • Salsa Verde
  • Garlic
  • Seasonings
overhead shot of salsa verde

salsa verde

How To Make Sala Verde Chicken 

Slow Cooker

  1. Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well.
  2. Cook HIGH 2-3 hours or LOW 4-6.

Instant Pot

  1. Add all the ingredients to the pressure cooker. Stir to mix well.
  2. Close and seal vent. Select high pressure for 15 minutes. When done cooking, natural release 5 minutes then quick release remaining pressure.

Final Step

  1. Remove the chicken from the appliance, shred it, place it back in the slow cooker or pressure cooker.
before pic of raw salsa verde chicken in the slow cooker

before (slow cooker)

What Is Salsa Verde?

Verde means green in Spanish. Salsa verde literally means green salsa. Salsa verde is made with tomatillos as the main ingredient while ‘regular’ salsa is made using red tomatoes as the base.  I always make my own salsa verde to use in this recipe. It’s easy to make and tomatillos are readily available at my local grocery store. Having said that, there’s nothing wrong with using store-bought sala verde. Most brands of store-bought salsa tend to use all-natural ingredients.

after pic of cooked salsa verde chicken in the slow cooker

after (slow cooker)

What Type If Chicken To Use

 I like to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts with this recipe. If you like dark meat, you can swap in chicken thighs. You can also use bone-in skin-on chicken if you prefer. If you do not want to use poultry, pork loin is a good red meat substitute. 

Shred The Chicken

You’ll know the slow cooker or pressure cooker salsa verde chicken is done when it shreds easily with a fork. Seriously, if you take it out and it doesn’t shred easily then put it back in and cook it for another 30 minutes in the slow cooker or another 3 minutes in the pressure cooker. I shred my chicken with two forks. I’ve seen people use a hand mixer, that seems to work well too.

shredded salsa verde chicken in the slow cooker

 

How To Serve Salsa Verde Chicken

You can use this shredded salsa verde chicken in so many different ways. It’s great in enchiladas, tacos, burritos, casseroles, soups, or even as a protein in a dinner salad. The sky is the limit with this chicken. Of course you can just eat the shredded chicken with your preferred sides. To keep things low-carb, paleo, and whole30, I like to serve my shredded salsa verde chicken with mashed cauliflower and a small salad. It’s also great with rice (cauliflower rice, white, or brown).

 

 

side view of shredded salsa verde chicken in a bowl topped with cilantro & jalapeno

FAQs & Tips

  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. 
  • I topped my shredded slow cooker salsa verde chicken with fresh cilantro and sliced jalapeno. 
  • If you use my salsa verde recipe to make this, then this dish is low-carb, paleo, and Whole30 compatible. If you’re using a store-bought salsa verde, be sure to check the labels if you have specific dietary restrictions.
  • I use a 3.5-quart slow cooker.

Salsa Recipes 

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Salsa Verde Chicken

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 4 reviews

This slow cooker salsa verde chicken recipe is packed with flavor. Shred the chicken down and serve it in tortillas, lettuce wraps, or plated with sides. This shredded chicken is also great re-used in casseroles. Instructions to make this easy chicken recipe in the Instant Pot are also included.

  • Total Time: 3 hours 20 mins
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 cups salsa verde
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

Slow Cooker

  1. Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well.
  2. Cook HIGH 2-3 hours or LOW 4-6.

Instant Pot

  1. Add all the ingredients to the pressure cooker. Stir to mix well.
  2. Close and seal vent. Select high pressure for 15 minutes. When done cooking, natural release 5 minutes then quick release remaining pressure.

Final Step

  1. Remove the chicken from the appliance, shred it, place it back in the slow cooker or pressure cooker.
  • Author: Shannon Epstein
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 3 hours

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 323
  • Sugar: 4.2 g
  • Sodium: 1404.7 mg
  • Fat: 7.2 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8.6 g
  • Fiber: 2.5 g
  • Protein: 52.6 g
  • Cholesterol: 165.5 mg

 

 

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive money if you make a purchase using one of the links. For more about my disclosure policy see here: https://fitslowcookerqueen.com/about/disclosure-policy/affiliates

Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken
Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Will kit

Friday 24th of February 2023

Im going to make this myself at the weekend, thank you so much.

Will Kit

Friday 24th of February 2023

Cant wait to make it myself, thank you so much.

Jovan

Monday 1st of February 2021

Awesome recipe! The chicken turned out perfectly and it was super easy to make. I used store bought salsa verde and made burrto bowls with cauliflower rice. Super healthy and delicious!

Elizabeth @ Bowl of Delicious

Thursday 1st of October 2020

This has become my FAVORITE no-fuss, super easy thing to make! I love that it takes only minutes to prep, it's healthy, and it makes a ton so it's great for leftovers. I serve the chicken over rice with sliced avocado, chopped cilantro, cheese, and sour cream, with a squeeze of fresh lime juice. For leftovers, I just reheat the chicken in a corn tortilla and top with cheese for easy tacos. Thanks for such an easy, delicious recipe that's been a lifesaver when things get busy!

Cathy H.

Friday 14th of August 2020

This looks delish! Does it turn out the same w/ both methods? Do you prefer the slow cooker or Instant Pot? I'm a slow cooker veteran but an IP newbie. Thanks!

Fit SlowCooker Queen

Friday 14th of August 2020

Thank you! With the exception of rice, I always prefer cooking it the slow cooker. But to be honest, the result is the same regardless of which appliance you use. This recipe is actually a good one to try in the Instant Pot because it's pretty fool-proof. There's no sauteing, just add everything, stir, and let it cook. Let me know how it turns out!