Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken
When you need a flavorful, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s as easy as it is delicious, this Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken is it. Juicy chicken thighs simmer in a tangy-sweet sauce made with salsa verde, honey, and a splash of lemonade (yes, lemonade!) for the perfect balance of zesty, bright, and savory flavor.
This is one of those set-it-and-forget-it recipes that’s big on taste and low on effort — perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a hungry crowd.
Serve it in Homemade Tortillas with Restaurant Style Blender Salsa and Easy Guacamole!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Simple ingredients – Just a handful of pantry staples and a jar of salsa verde.
✔️ Packed with flavor – Sweet, tangy, and savory all in one bite.
✔️ Super versatile – Shred it and serve it in tacos, burrito bowls, enchiladas, or over rice.
✔️ Foolproof – The slow cooker makes the chicken tender and juicy every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 4 lbs chicken thighs (boneless, skinless for easy shredding)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ½ tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ cup lemonade (trust me — it adds just the right amount of tang and sweetness!)
- 1 cup salsa verde (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ cup honey
How to Make Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken
- Season the chicken:
Place the chicken thighs in your slow cooker and sprinkle them with chili powder, onion powder, garlic salt, and cumin. - Make the sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together the lemonade, salsa verde, and honey until smooth. - Combine and cook:
Pour the sauce over the chicken, making sure everything is well coated. Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easy to shred. - Shred and serve:
Remove the chicken from the slow cooker, shred it with two forks, then return it to the sauce. Stir to coat and serve warm.
Tips for Perfect Salsa Verde Chicken
- Use thighs for juiciness: Chicken thighs hold up better in the slow cooker than breasts and stay tender and flavorful.
- Balance the flavors: The honey and lemonade may sound unusual, but they complement the tangy salsa verde perfectly, creating a bright, balanced sauce.
- Make it spicy: Want a kick? Add diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce.
- Freeze the leftovers: This chicken freezes beautifully — just store it in an airtight bag with some sauce for up to 3 months.
How to Serve It
This salsa verde chicken is incredibly versatile! Try it:
🌮 In tacos with shredded cabbage, cotija cheese, and lime crema.
🥗 Over rice or cauliflower rice for a healthy, hearty bowl.
🌯 In burritos or enchiladas for a make-ahead meal.
🥪 On sandwiches with melted cheese and avocado.
No matter how you serve it, it’s always a hit!
This Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken is sweet, tangy, and irresistibly juicy — the kind of easy meal that makes weeknights feel special without the extra work. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, it’s one recipe you’ll find yourself making again and again.
Set it, forget it, and get ready for a dinner everyone will ask for seconds of.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
- Slow Cooker Ribs
- Slow Cooker Creamy Italian Chicken and Orzo
- Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast
- Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas
- Slow Cooker Beef Ramen Stir Fry
- Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole
Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken
Equipment
- 1 slow cooker
Ingredients
- 4 lbs chicken thighs
- 1 Tbs chili powder
- ½ Tbs onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ cup lemonade
- 1 cup salsa verde
- ½ cup honey
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Place the chicken thighs in your slow cooker and sprinkle them with chili powder, onion powder, garlic salt, and cumin.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the lemonade, salsa verde, and honey until smooth.
- Combine and cook: Pour the sauce over the chicken, making sure everything is well coated. Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easy to shred.
- Shred and serve: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker, shred it with two forks, then return it to the sauce. Stir to coat and serve warm.
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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