Dump recipes are my favorite as a busy mom of four. They save me time and money and can be amazingly delicious.
This Crockpot Chicken Verde is one of my favorite recipes for taco night; I’ve all but said goodbye to ground beef tacos now!
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time to spend on cooking.
It only takes a few minutes to prep, and then you can let your crockpot do all the work while you go about your day.
So, let’s get into it, and let me show you how to get this simple Salsa Verde Chicken on the table in a flash!
Key Takeaways
- Cook Time: High – 4 hours; Medium – 6 hours; Low – 8 hours
- Main Ingredients: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs, chicken bouillon (or chicken broth), green tomatillo salsa, and more
- Servings: 6
- Extras: Tortillas, cheese, sour cream, avocado, and other taco toppings of choice; try making rice bowls, tacos, or quesadillas with salsa verde chicken!
- Tip: Use a hand mixer or standing mixer to shred the chicken quickly and let it simmer in the salsa verde sauce before serving it up
Simple Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken Dump Recipe
This homemade salsa verde chicken is so good and so easy to make. Yes, it’s green, but my kids ate it up without a problem!
Now, I could have used the usual boneless skinless chicken breasts for this dish, but to be honest, I’m kinda over that.
I do have plenty of recipes that use boneless skinless chicken breasts, but chicken thighs are just better, IMO, and they really made this salsa verde chicken tender and juicy.
Chicken thighs are cheaper, have more flavor, and are much harder to overcook than chicken breasts!
That’s why they’re perfect for the slow cooker, especially a bold, Latin-inspired dish like this salsa verde chicken. In case you couldn’t guess, it’s called verde chicken because it’s green.
Green tomatillo-based salsa, cilantro, and lime juice—all green and all very good, too. Add some minced garlic (or garlic powder), chicken bouillon, and cumin, and that’s all she wrote, folks.
Oh – and the absolute best part of this recipe? It’s part of an AMAZING slow cooker meal plan where you will create 20 meals for about $160 in under 3 hours!
Top your salsa verde chicken however you’d like, serve it in tortillas, over rice, top with tortilla chips, or just eat it plain. It works in so many ways.
Ingredients
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- Juice from 1 large lime or 1-2 Tbsp
- 3 cloves garlic (1 tbsp) or 3-4 tbsp of garlic powder
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro measured prior to chopping, chopped finely
- 12 oz. green tomatillo salsa
Instructions
- Place chicken thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add all other ingredients on top.
- Cook on high for 4 hours (or medium for 6, low for 8)
- Break apart chicken and serve however you'd like (in tortillas, over rice, with tortilla chips).
Recipe Substitutions
Want to change up your Salsa Verde Chicken? I have quite a few recommendations for things you can try and change to make a flavorful dish that’s more your style:
The Meat
As mentioned before, chicken breasts can be used instead of chicken thighs in my salsa chicken verde recipe. Chicken breasts are a leaner option, but you must be careful not to overcook them.
However, give the chicken thighs a chance! They add more flavor and hold up better in the slow cooker. I wasn’t as impressed when I did a tester with chicken breast.
You could also substitute pork for the chicken in this recipe. Pork shoulder or tenderloin would work well with the sauce for salsa verde chicken.
The Salsa & Seasonings
If you don’t have green tomatillo salsa on hand to make a true salsa verde dish, you can substitute regular red salsa to achieve a similar result.
It will still give the dish a delicious flavor, but it won’t have the same tang and green color that is characteristic of this recipe.
Red salsa is sweet whereas the green is more herby and earthy since the chiles are picked when unripe.
You can also try making your own tomatillo salsa at home!
If you don’t have cumin on hand, you can substitute it with chili powder or taco seasoning for a similar flavor profile.
If you want to heat up this dish, try adding diced jalapenos, hot sauce, or red pepper flakes.
Adding In Veggies
This recipe is great as-is, but if you want to add some extra veggies, try adding some bell peppers or onions.
For a healthier alternative, you can also serve the chicken over some roasted vegetables. They take no time in the oven and add a crunchy side to this saucy chicken dish.
Serving It Up
The classic way to enjoy Salsa Verde Chicken is to serve it in warm tortillas, creating delicious and flavorful tacos.
Simply spoon the tender, shredded chicken into soft tortillas and top with your favorite taco fixings—think chopped onions, fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, and a squeeze of lime.
You can also add some crumbled queso fresco or a dollop of sour cream to elevate the flavors even more.
For something different, use the chicken to make a vibrant and tasty burrito bowl.
Layer the shredded chicken with black beans, corn, tomato salsa, and avocado slices, then top with a drizzle of lime crema and a handful of crushed tortilla chips for crunch.
Another exciting option is to create Salsa Verde Chicken enchiladas.
Roll the chicken inside corn tortillas, place them in a baking dish, cover with more green salsa and shredded cheese, and bake until bubbly and golden.
For a lighter and low-carb twist, serve the chicken in lettuce wraps. Simply spoon the chicken into crisp lettuce leaves and garnish with your choice of toppings.
Other Slow Cooker Recipes
And if you like this slow cooker salsa verde chicken recipe, you might be interested in 40 other slow cooker dump recipes that are AMAZING!
Here are a few of my family favorites:
Crockpot Texas RoadHouse Pot Roast
FAQs
What does salsa verde taste like?
Salsa verde is a tangy, spicy, and slightly sour sauce.
The tomatillos give it an earthy flavor, while cilantro adds freshness and zing. Lime juice adds a bright citrusy note that ties all the flavors together.
Could I use frozen chicken in the slow cooker?
I don’t recommend using frozen chicken in this recipe. It’s important to use thawed chicken so that it cooks evenly and reaches a safe internal temperature.
Some recipes call for adding more cook time, but it still doesn’t guarantee that the chicken will cook thoroughly.
Can I make salsa verde chicken ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare all the ingredients for this dish in advance and store them in the refrigerator until ready to cook.
You can even freeze it and thaw it the night before you want to pop it into the slow cooker.
You can also make the entire dish ahead of time and reheat it when ready to serve.
What can I use to shred the chicken for salsa verde chicken?
You can use two forks to shred the chicken or a stand mixer for an easier and faster process.
I think the stand mixer is faster, and the whisk was the best attachment for it. However, I don’t always like cleaning up the mixer, so the forks save on washing time!
What sides go well with salsa verde chicken?
This dish pairs well with a variety of sides, including rice, beans, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad.
You can also serve it with tortilla chips or use it as a filling for tacos, burritos, and enchiladas.
For added freshness and crunch, top the chicken with diced avocado or shredded lettuce before serving.
Make a salsa verde chicken salad by shredding the chicken and mixing it with some greens, bell peppers, corn, black beans, and a tangy dressing.
Can I make this salsa verde chicken recipe in the Instant Pot?
You can adapt this recipe to make it in an Instant Pot by cooking it on high pressure for 25 minutes with a quick release (about 10 minutes after cook time).
Then shred the chicken and serve it however you like.
You can also make a salsa verde chicken bake if you like.
Lay the chicken thighs in a 9X13 baking dish, cover it with the sauce and seasonings, top it with cheese, and bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
Could I use red salsa instead of green salsa for this chicken dish?
Yes, you can substitute red salsa for the green tomatillo salsa in this recipe- it won’t be salsa verde anymore, but salsa chicken is still a great dish.
Just keep in mind that the flavors will be different, and it won’t have the same tangy and earthy taste as using green salsa.
Final Thoughts
Isn’t it just wonderful when a dish like Salsa Verde Chicken can come to our rescue on those busy weeknights and special gatherings?
So easily whipped up and with so many ways to serve and enjoy! It’s like a magic trick we all wish we had up our sleeve.
With this dish in your back pocket, you can say goodbye to stressful meal planning and hello to a versatile, belly-pleasing masterpiece.
Tacos, salads, burrito bowls – oh my! The endless possibilities, just a salsa jar away.
So go ahead and let the vibrant, zesty flavors of Salsa Verde Chicken add a sprinkle of joy to your next meal. Happy cooking, and even happier eating!
Have you grabbed my Chaos to Control Starter Guide yet? I might be biased, but I think it’s pretty amazing! Check it out!
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[…] Slow Cooker Verde Chicken – Verde means green. So this one is kinda green. It’s from the tomatillo salsa. That’s also one of the reasons this is so easy. Chicken, salsa, cilantro, and a few spices. That’s it. So much flavor in this one. […]
Can you place frozen chicken or dose it have to be thawed
I use this recipe for chicken enchiladas twice a month, and it is DIVINE. When I’m in a rush, I sub 1 tbsp cilantro paste for chopped cilantro.