Ultimate Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos: Your Easy & Flavorful Summer Meal Solution
Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos offer an incredibly easy and flavorful solution for those busy weeknights, especially when the summer heat makes oven cooking unbearable. This simple crockpot chicken tacos recipe keeps your kitchen cool while delivering tender, succulent chicken bursting with zesty salsa verde flavor. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are slow-cooked to perfection in a vibrant blend of salsa verde, diced green peppers, and mild green chilies, transforming into a shreddable, mouth-watering filling that’s ideal for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, or even as a versatile enchilada base.
Beyond its delicious simplicity, this recipe brings a unique joy that perfectly complements the season. Speaking of seasonal joys, before we dive into the full details of this fantastic Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos recipe, I have to share something that always fills me with immense happiness this time of year: the glorious return of farmers market season!
Here in the Cleveland/Akron area, the farmers markets are now in full swing, brimming with the freshest produce and artisanal goods. While our immediate local market isn’t quite open yet, there are numerous larger markets nearby that are already bustling with activity. This past weekend, my family and I had the pleasure of visiting the Countryside Farmers Market, nestled within the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and it was truly an incredible experience. The vibrant atmosphere and abundant offerings made for a delightful outing.
It was, without a doubt, the most expansive farmers market I’ve ever encountered. The stalls stretched seemingly endlessly, showcasing a remarkable variety of homemade delights and farm-fresh produce. We saw everything from artisan breads baked fresh that morning and ethically sourced cage-free eggs, to crisp, leafy greens like butter lettuce, and an array of homemade popsicles that caught my youngest’s eye immediately. There were also numerous stands featuring handcrafted salsas, gourmet cheeses, locally raised meats, and so much more. The sheer diversity and quality of the products available were simply amazing, reminding me of the simple pleasure of eating well and supporting local growers.
That head of butter lettuce, for instance, was an absolute work of art – so fresh, so green, and just plain pretty. It’s details like these that elevate everyday cooking and bring a touch of nature’s beauty to our plates. Imagine the crunch and freshness it could add to any meal!
And then there were the strawberries. Oh, the strawberries! Piles and piles of ripe, juicy strawberries, ready to be enjoyed in countless ways. These are absolutely perfect for making a refreshing batch of Strawberry Sangria, or simply enjoyed as a sweet, healthy snack straight from the carton. It’s hard to beat the taste of freshly picked berries in the summertime!
And right there, captured in that moment, is my son Will’s absolute favorite part of the farmers market: the homemade strawberry rhubarb popsicles. For a child, especially during the warmer months, that’s truly a dream come true – a sweet, tangy, and refreshing treat that beats anything store-bought. It’s moments like these, savoring simple pleasures and fresh flavors, that truly define summer.
As you can clearly see from our delightful farmers market trip, summer is not just approaching; it’s practically here! With longer days, sunshine, and the desire to spend every possible moment outdoors, our routines shift. Many people often express surprise, even confusion, about using their slow cooker during the summer months. They typically associate slow cookers with hearty, comforting fall and winter dishes, like cozy soups and rich stews. I was once among those who held this same perception, until a couple of summers ago when I truly embraced the summer slow cooker revolution.
Now, I am completely convinced that summer and a slow cooker can, and should, be the best of friends. The slow cooker is a powerful ally for maintaining a cool kitchen, especially when temperatures soar. Unlike your oven or stovetop, which radiate heat throughout your home, the slow cooker operates efficiently with minimal heat emission, keeping your living space comfortable. This makes it an invaluable tool for preparing delicious meals without contributing to the indoor heat.
Beyond temperature control, the slow cooker offers unparalleled convenience during the active summer season. Imagine spending your day at the pool, enjoying a lake day, or simply relaxing with a cold beverage in your backyard, knowing that dinner is quietly cooking itself. This hands-off approach is a lifesaver, especially for busy parents like myself with two young boys under the age of three. Last summer, life was a beautiful whirlwind of keeping up with their endless energy and maximizing our outdoor time – Midwesterners understand that inherent desire to be outside all the time when summer finally arrives! Quick and easy dinner ideas weren’t just a preference; they were a necessity. The slow cooker truly came to the rescue, allowing us to enjoy our summer days to the fullest without sacrificing a delicious, home-cooked meal.
For example, my Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos recipe perfectly exemplifies why the slow cooker is ideal for summer. It’s light, incredibly simple to prepare, and wonderfully versatile. Plus, it yields a generous amount, making it perfect for freezing half for another meal later in the week or month. This kind of meal planning and prep is invaluable when you’re juggling summer activities and family life. These types of easy chicken recipes made in the slow cooker during the summer are not only good because they don’t heat up your house, but also because of the endless possibilities they provide for using the prepared chicken.
While today’s star recipe is for these delectable Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos, the beauty of this shredded chicken mixture lies in its adaptability. You can effortlessly transform it into a variety of other dishes. Think savory quesadillas, loaded nachos, vibrant salads, hearty enchilada fillings, or even as a base for quick burrito bowls. The possibilities are truly endless, making this recipe a phenomenal staple for meal prepping and minimizing cooking time during busy periods.
Recipes that effortlessly create more than one meal are always winners in my culinary playbook. They save time, effort, and often money, making them invaluable for efficient home cooking.
Salsa verde holds a special place in my heart as one of my absolute favorite salsas. I often pick up a large jar from the grocery store and find myself putting it on just about everything. Alternatively, if I find fresh tomatillos at the farmers market or grocery store, I love to whip up a batch of homemade salsa verde. The bright, tangy, and sometimes slightly sweet flavor profile, with a hint of smokiness depending on the brand or preparation, is simply irresistible. This distinctive flavor, derived from roasted tomatillos, jalapeños, onions, and cilantro, adds a layer of depth and freshness that red salsa often can’t match.
The ample amount of salsa verde used in this recipe is key. It ensures that the chicken remains incredibly tender and juicy throughout the slow cooking process, preventing the dry texture that can sometimes occur with slow cooker chicken dishes. The chicken breasts slowly absorb the vibrant flavors of the salsa, becoming infused with its zesty goodness and resulting in a moist, shreddable protein that’s perfect for any Mexican-inspired dish. The added green peppers and diced chilies further enhance the flavor and provide a subtle, pleasant kick.
Storage Tips
To keep your leftover salsa verde chicken fresh and delicious, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, reheating is simple: you can gently warm it in a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat until heated through, or quickly microwave it in short intervals until it reaches your desired temperature. This makes it an excellent option for meal prepping and enjoying delicious leftovers.
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Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos
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Ingredients
- 2 lbs. chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
- 1 – 16 oz. jar of salsa verde {about 2 cups}
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 1 – 4 oz. can of diced chilies
- 1 jalapeño, seeds removed, chopped {optional for spice}
- Tortillas or hard shell tacos for serving
- Garnish ideas: fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, sour cream, extra salsa, avocado slices
Instructions
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Pour approximately half of the jar of salsa verde (about 1 cup) onto the bottom of your slow cooker. Spread it evenly to create a flavorful base. Carefully place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts on top of the salsa layer. Cover the chicken completely with the remaining salsa, chopped green peppers, diced jalapeños (if using for an extra kick), and the canned green chilies, ensuring all chicken pieces are well coated in the delicious sauce.
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Cook the chicken on the LOW setting for 5-6 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is incredibly tender and easily shreds with a fork. About 30 minutes before the total cooking time is complete, carefully remove the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it thoroughly to ensure it is completely covered and mixed with all the flavorful juices and vegetables. Continue cooking for the remaining 30 minutes.
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Once finished, serve the hot, shredded salsa verde chicken in warm tortillas or crispy hard-shell tacos. Garnish generously with your favorite toppings, such as fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, a dollop of sour cream, extra salsa, or creamy avocado slices. This versatile chicken can also be used for salads, sandwiches, burrito bowls, quesadillas, and more!
Notes
When preparing this recipe, I often make a double batch and freeze half of the shredded chicken in a ziplock bag, laid flat to save space. To use it later, simply defrost it in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave when you’re ready for a quick and easy meal.
The versatility of this salsa verde chicken mixture is truly remarkable. Beyond tacos, it makes an excellent filling for quesadillas, a savory topping for nachos, a flavorful base for burrito bowls, a delicious component in salads, a hearty addition to sandwiches, or even a robust enchilada filling. Get creative and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.