Go Back

Crock Pot Fiesta Chicken

Crock Pot fiesta chicken with fall-apart tender breasts slow-cooked in a zesty tomato, corn, and taco seasoning salsa. The chicken is shredded right in the slow cooker, then finished with melted cheddar and a fresh cilantro garnish for an easy Tex-Mex dinner.
Prep Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Chicken breasts
  • 4 boneless chicken breasts Use boneless breasts for shredding.
Fiesta salsa
  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles
  • 1 cup corn kernels
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
Cheese and garnish
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Add near the end so it melts smoothly.
  • 2 tbsp chopped cilantro Garnish right before serving.

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Slow-cook the chicken
  1. Place boneless chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
  2. Top the chicken with diced tomatoes with green chiles, corn kernels, and packet taco seasoning so the seasoning distributes evenly.
  3. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours until the chicken shreds easily, with the sauce visibly bubbling around the edges.
Shred and finish
  1. Shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker and stir to combine with the sauce until coated.
  2. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top and let it melt until the surface looks glossy.
  3. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving so the top looks fresh and green.

Notes

For juiciest shredded chicken, shred directly in the slow cooker while it’s hot, then stir until the strands look evenly coated in the tomato-corn sauce. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 4 days; reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop. Freezing is yes—freeze cooled portions up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the fridge; reheat until hot and add a fresh sprinkle of cilantro. For a lower-fat option, use reduced-fat cheddar.