With a short list of simple, real food ingredients this slow cooker green chili chicken is an easy and flavorful meal prep protein or easy dinner idea. Plus, there are so many ways you can use this chicken, so you’ll never get bored with this ultra versatile and simple slow cooker recipe.

An overhead shot of shredded chicken topped with cilantro and green chilis in a black slow cooker.

About this Slow Cooker Green Chili Chicken

As an expert in easy and quick healthy meals (especially dump and go slow cooker recipes), I know some finesse is needed to create delicious tasting slow cooker meals that taste fresh.

That’s why I developed this slow cooker green chili chicken recipe that’s incredibly flavorful, and tastes super fresh following my unique slow cooker technique.

The secret? Adding some flavorful ingredients after the chicken is done cooking.

Personally, I was blown away by how incredibly flavorful this crockpot green chili chicken was for how easy it is to make and how few ingredients it contains (similar to my slow cooker enchilada chicken and slow cooker cilantro lime chicken)!

This is a phenomenal protein meal prep recipe for those busy weeks when you want to have protein on hand that can be used in a variety of recipes.

You can make a large batch of this recipe at the beginning of the week and enjoy it for lunch or dinner throughout the week as a taco or burrito filling, in taco bowls, on salads, or in these green chili chicken enchiladas.

This recipe is also incredibly versatile!

You can use chicken breasts, thighs, or a combination of both; add more spice if you like (see tip below); and even leave out the cream cheese if you want (but I highly recommend leaving it in).

I hope you give this easy protein packed slow cooker recipe a try – it’s sure to become a family favorite as it has in my family!

Visual Guide: How to Make Slow Cooker Green Chili Chicken

Jump to Recipe Instructions

Method

Make sure to follow the recipe instructions for this chicken recipe, as I have included my unique method for making slow cooker recipes that don’t taste like slow cooker recipes.

The first step is to add the chicken, 3-ounces of salsa (about a quarter of the jar), and salt to a slow cooker, and stir till everything is coated.

Then, cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours until the chicken is cooked through and shreds easily with a fork.

Once the chicken is cooked, remove from the crock pot and shred it with two forks or dice it into 1-inch cubes.

The next part is the key to making this dish taste fresh (and not like a slow cooker recipe).

Drain the cooking liquid from the slow cooker and turn it to low, then add the cream cheese, green chilis, and remaining salsa and whisk until it’s smooth.

Finally you’ll add the shredded chicken back to the slow cooker and stir everything together to combine.

At this point it’s ready to use however you like.

Make it Gluten Free + Dairy Free

This recipe is naturally gluten free. For a dairy free version, replace the cream cheese with dairy free cream cheese or leave the cream cheese out altogether.

An overhead shot of 3 chicken tacos on a wooden cutting board. The cutting board is surrounded by a bunch of cilantro, lime wedges, a striped kitchen towel, a container with diced onions, and a glass of water.

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

Chicken breast: I used boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe, but you could also use chicken thighs in their place, or a mix of both. If you want to use frozen chicken, be sure to thaw it fully before adding to your slow cooker.

Tomatillo salsa: Sometimes called salsa verde, look for jarred green salsa in the salsa section or refrigerated section. You will need 12 ounces of salsa.

Kosher salt: Look for kosher salt with the regular iodized salt at the grocery store. It has a subtler flavor. Use less iodized salt if that’s what you have on hand.

Cream cheese: Trust me, cream cheese is a key to this recipe. You can’t really taste it, but it adds a wonderful creaminess to this recipe. Use traditional or dairy-free, depending on your dietary preferences.

Diced green chilis: These are key to the recipe so do not skip! Use mild to keep the chili less spicy, or look for hot green chilis to kick up the heat. If you have access to freshly roasted hatch chilis, this recipe would be a great way to use them. If you don’t like green chilis, you can use more tomatillo salsa.

Tip: Make it Spicy!

This chili chicken is very mild, but if you want it spicier, use spicy green chilis and spicy green salsa verde.

Serving Suggestions

This green chili crock pot chicken is incredibly versatile, so feel free to experiment with different toppings and serving suggestions.

It’s delicious as a simple filling for tacos or buritos– simply serve with warm corn or flour tortillas, plus any taco toppings you like (think sour cream, chopped onion, sliced jalapeno, 4-ingredient guacamole, and crumbled cotija cheese!).

If you’re not feeling tacos, the slow cooker green chili chicken is also lovely served over cooked white or brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice and topped with taco toppings.

Or for a super easy dinner recipe, use this shredded chicken as the filling for enchiladas.

Tips for Storing and Freezing Leftovers

Cooked chicken will keep well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, in a sealed container.

This recipe also freezes well, simply store in a sealed freezer friendly container for up to 2-3 months.

This Recipe is…

An overhead shot of shredded chicken topped with cilantro and green chilis in a black slow cooker.
5 stars (5 ratings)

Slow Cooker Green Chili Chicken

With a short list of simple, real food ingredients this slow cooker green chili chicken is an easy and flavorful meal prep protein. Plus, there are so many ways you can use this chicken, you won’t get bored!

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, or boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 (12-oz) jar salsa verde (tomatillo salsa), divided, plus more for serving
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

To Add at the End

  • cup cream cheese, softened
  • 2 (4-oz) cans diced green chilis

Optional Serving Suggestions

  • Warm tortillas
  • Fresh chopped cilantro
  • Finely diced white onion

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Add the chicken, 3-oz salsa (about ¼ of the jar), and salt to a 6-quart slow cooker, stirring to coat the chicken evenly in the salsa.
  • Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours, or low for 5-6, or until the chicken is cooked through and shreds easily with a fork.
  • Carefully remove the chicken to a cutting board, then shred with two forks or dice into 1-inch cubes.
  • Drain the cooking liquid from the slow cooker. Turn to low and add the remaining 9-oz salsa (the remaining ¾ of the jar), cream cheese, and green chilis, whisking until smooth.
  • Add the shredded chicken back to the slow cooker, stirring to combine.
  • Serve as is, or tucked into warmed tortillas and served with toppings of your choice.

Notes

See blog post, above, for substitution suggestions including dairy free, serving suggestions, storage, and more. 

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 (of 8), Calories: 162kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 82mg, Sodium: 308mg, Potassium: 433mg, Fiber: 0.004g, Sugar: 0.4g, Vitamin A: 162IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 15mg, Iron: 0.4mg
Nutrition disclaimer
Did you make this recipe?If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!

Share this Post