Today I’m bringing you one of the easiest and most versatile meal prep ideas, my Slow Cooker Southwest Chicken. It only requires 5 basic ingredients and about 5 minutes of hands-on time, then you just let the crockpot do its thing. And, my entire family rated it 5 stars!
It’s that time of year when we fire up the slow cooker about once a week. We’ve had some real hits in the past, with our Tuscan Chicken and Crack Chicken being two of our most popular recipes ever. And lately, our Cajun-inspired Swamp Potatoes have been trending big time.
This recipe may be the easiest one yet. No browning, no chopping, and no hard to find ingredients. But it’s so, so good.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
I have included exact ingredient amounts in the recipe card at the end of this post. Here are the things you will need:
- Chicken – I like boneless skinless thighs. They stay juicier and more tender when slow cooked. You can use boneless skinless breasts if you prefer.
- Taco seasoning – I use, and recommend, our homemade Taco Seasoning. It just takes 5 minutes to measure and mix up the spices. If you do use store bought, I suggest you look for a low sodium variety, or adjust the amount down to 2 tablespoons, otherwise the dish can become too salty.
- Canned beans – Drained and rinsed. I use black beans, because they have the most southwest vibes. Pinto beans are a great alternative.
- Corn kernels – Frozen or canned are fine. You can use fresh if it’s in season.
- Salsa – Whichever jarred or fresh salsa you prefer. Use mild, medium or hot depending on how spicy you want it.
Slow Cooker Southwest Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Place all ingredients in slow cooker. Mix well.
Step 2: Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours, or high for 3-4 hours.
Step 3: Shred cooked chicken with two forks. Toss everything together. That’s it, it’s ready to serve!
Serving Suggestions
One of the things I love about this recipe is its versatility. Here are some different ways to serve southwest chicken:
- Burrito bowls – Fill up a bowl with rice (Cilantro Lime Rice being a great option), a generous scoop of the chicken mixture, and your favorite toppings like cheese, avocado and sour cream.
- Tacos – Load up corn or flour tortillas for a fun and easy handheld meal.
- Nachos – Scatter the chicken mixture over tortilla chips, add cheese, and broil until bubbly. Great game day idea.
- Stuffed vegetables – For a healthier option, spoon the chicken into baked bell peppers, zucchini halves or even sweet potatoes.
- Salads – Make a hearty Tex-Mex salad with romaine, tomatoes, avocado, and a limey dressing. If you can find one of those crunchy edible taco salad bowls that used to be so popular, all the better.
- Sliders – Always a hit at parties.
- Omelet – Fold the shredded, warmed chicken along with cheddar or pepper jack into a fluffy omelet.
Have more ideas? We’d love to hear them, just drop your serving suggestions in the comments!
Leftovers and Storage
This Tex-Mex slow cooker chicken stores beautifully, which makes it great for meal prep. Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or salsa if it seems a little thick.
It also freezes extremely well. Store in freezer bags or containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
A Few Variations
- Add some cheese: After shredding the chicken, sprinkle on 1-1.5 cups of shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese. Replace the lid for a few minutes until the cheese melts. This version makes a great party dip alongside tortilla chips.
- Make it creamy: Again, after shredding, stir in some sour cream. Start with ¼ cup, and add from there until you get your desired creaminess.
- Give it some more kick: In addition to using spicy salsa, add in a couple of diced jalapeno or serrano peppers before cooking.
- Turn it into a soup: Add 4-6 cups of chicken broth before cooking to make a hearty and flavorful soup.
There you go, one more can’t-miss recipe for slow cooker season. Give my Southwest chicken a try, and watch it become a new family favorite.
More easy slow cooker meals:
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Crockpot BBQ Ribs
Hawaiian Kalua Pig
Ground Turkey Chili
Barbacoa Pork
Slow Cooker Pork Chops
Recipe Video
Crockpot Southwest Chicken
Make this easy Crockpot Southwest Chicken for the simplest weeknight dinner. Just five ingredients and endless ways to serve it.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (see note 1)
- 1 (15oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1.5 cups frozen corn
- 2 cups salsa
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning (see note 2)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in slow cooker. Mix well.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours, or high for 3-4 hours.
- Shred cooked chicken with two forks. Toss everything together, and serve.
Notes
- You can also use chicken breast, if you prefer.
- I use, and recommend, our homemade taco seasoning, which is as follows:
1 tablespoon chili powder
½ tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
If using store bought taco seasoning, I suggest low sodium.
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 473Total Fat 21gSaturated Fat 6gUnsaturated Fat 15gCholesterol 141mgSodium 890mgCarbohydrates 29gFiber 5gSugar 10gProtein 42g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former worldwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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