Easy Weeknight Dinner: 5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
If your weeknights are busy (work, school, sports… all of it), this Easy Weeknight Dinner was made for you. This is the definition of low effort, big payoff: you toss in 5 ingredients, turn on the slow cooker, and come back to tender, flavorful chicken you can use for tacos, bowls, or nachos.
Why You’ll Love This (Easy Weeknight Dinner Win)
- It’s truly “dump and go”: No browning or sautéing required. Just dump it in and move on with your day.
- Budget-friendly: Chicken plus pantry staples like beans and corn makes for a very affordable 5 Ingredient Dinner.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: One batch can turn into taco night on Tuesday and burrito bowls for lunch on Wednesday.
The 5 Ingredients You’ll Need
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Chicken breasts (boneless) | 1.5 lb |
| Jar of Salsa | 16 oz |
| Black beans (drained) | 15 oz can |
| Corn (drained) | 15 oz can |
| Cumin | 1 tsp |
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Layer the Ingredients
Place the chicken in the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the salsa over the top and sprinkle on the cumin. Add the drained black beans and corn.
2. Cook Low and Slow
Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours (or HIGH for 2-3 hours) until the chicken is tender enough to shred easily.
3. Shred and Serve
Using two forks, shred the chicken right in the pot and stir everything together so the chicken soaks up all that salsa goodness. Serve in tortillas or over rice!
Serving Suggestions
This Easy Weeknight Dinner is incredibly versatile. We love it on nachos with melted cheese and jalapeños, or inside a crispy quesadilla for the kids. If you want it saucier for rice bowls, add 1/4 cup of chicken broth at the start of cooking.
Find more set-it-and-forget-it meals at Easy Dinners For You!