Easy Slowcooker Salsa Chicken Over Rice
A quick and easy slow cooker recipe featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in salsa, served over fluffy rice. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners with simple ingredients and bold flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours on LOW or 2 to 3 hours on HIGH
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes (LOW) or 2 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes (HIGH)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds / 680 grams)
- 1 cup (8 fl oz / 240 ml) salsa (medium heat recommended)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt (to taste)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1.5 cups (9 oz / 270 grams) uncooked long-grain white rice
- 3 cups (24 fl oz / 720 ml) chicken broth or water
- Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
- Lime wedges (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts and pat dry with paper towels (about 5 minutes).
- In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Rub the spice mix evenly over both sides of each chicken breast (about 3 minutes).
- Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker in a single layer.
- Pour 1 cup of salsa evenly over the chicken, coating each piece.
- Rinse the rice under cold water until water runs clear, then mix with 3 cups of chicken broth or water.
- Spread the rice mixture evenly over the chicken and salsa in the slow cooker. Do not stir.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and is tender.
- Once cooked, shred the chicken with two forks and gently mix with the rice and salsa juices. If excess liquid remains, leave the lid off for 15 minutes to thicken.
- Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice before serving.
Notes
Use thicker salsa to avoid soggy rice. Rinsing rice prevents gummy texture. Layer rice on top without stirring for even cooking. Cooking times may vary by slow cooker model. If rice is undercooked, cook on HIGH for an additional 15-20 minutes with lid slightly ajar. Leftovers taste better the next day. For gluten-free, ensure salsa and chili powder are certified gluten-free. Can substitute chicken thighs or turkey breasts. Vegetarian options include tofu or beans with adjusted cooking times.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: slow cooker, salsa chicken, chicken over rice, easy dinner, weeknight meal, Tex-Mex, slowcooker recipe, healthy chicken, one pot meal