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Slow Cooker Cheesy Tex-Mex Chicken Recipe

Tex mex chicken

When I need a quick, satisfying dinner, the slow cooker is my go-to. A slow cooker meal is simple: combine the ingredients, leave it to cook, and hours later your home smells wonderful and a flavorful meal is ready to serve.

This Cheesy Tex-Mex Chicken is one of my favorite slow cooker dishes. It’s packed with flavor and works well served in tortillas or over rice. With hearty additions like corn, salsa, and black beans, it’s filling enough that you often don’t need separate side dishes.

The recipe is flexible on heat level. I prefer a medium-hot salsa, but you can use mild salsa to make it more kid-friendly. My favorite part is stirring in cream cheese about 30 minutes before serving; it melts into a rich, creamy sauce that brings the whole dish together.

If mornings are busy, prep the ingredients the night before. Combine everything in the removable slow cooker insert, refrigerate, and in the morning simply place the insert in the cooker and start it. That saves time and makes dinner effortless.

Tex mex chicken

Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 6 hr
Total Time: 6 hr 5 min

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (use 2 if large)
  • 24-ounce jar salsa (or homemade salsa)
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
  • 1 (7 oz) can diced green chiles
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
  • Tortillas or rice for serving
  • Optional garnishes: shredded cheddar, lettuce, green onion, etc.

DIRECTIONS

  1. In the slow cooker, combine the salsa, taco seasoning, black beans, corn, and diced green chiles. Add hot sauce if you like extra heat.
  2. Place the raw chicken breasts into the mixture and coat them with the salsa mixture.
  3. Cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through.
  4. About 30 minutes before serving, cut the cream cheese into cubes and add it to the slow cooker. If needed, set the cooker to low and continue cooking until the cream cheese has softened and blended into a creamy sauce.
  5. Remove the chicken breasts, shred or dice them with two forks, and return the chicken to the slow cooker. Stir to combine so the chicken is well coated with the sauce and other ingredients.
  6. Serve the Cheesy Tex-Mex Chicken in warmed tortillas or over steamed rice. Top with shredded cheddar, chopped lettuce, green onions, or your favorite garnishes.