• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

By Kelsey Smith logo

  • Recipes
    • Main Dish
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Instant Pot
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
    • Vegetarian
  • Slow Cooker
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Slow Cooker
  • Instant Pot
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Slow Cooker
    • Instant Pot
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Slow Cooker Recipes

    Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken

    Published: Jan 7, 2013 · Modified: Oct 10, 2022 by Kelsey Smith

    • Facebook
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe

    This slow cooker fiesta chicken recipe is made with cream cheese, salsa, black beans, corn, and cream cheese.

    This is a perfect recipe for beginners. It is one of the first recipes I ever made in the slow cooker. At the time, I was all about dump-and-go recipes.

    This is an easy recipe the whole family will love. Serve as a burrito filling, with tortilla chips, in a rice bowl, or with hard taco shells.

    What I like about this recipe is how simple it is and how customizable it is. This recipe is a classic, and it's incredibly versatile.

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate, I make a commission on qualifying purchases.

    Slow cooker fiesta chicken over rice

    Recipe highlights

    • Easy recipe: Slow cooker meals save so much time and are perfect for busy days.
    • Family favorite: This is the perfect shredded chicken recipe for a large family meal.
    • Customizable: Make it your own with your favorite taco and burrito fillings.
    Jump to:
    • Recipe highlights
    • Ingredients
    • Take it to the next level!
    • To Serve
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • 📖 Recipe
    • More slow cooker recipes
    • 💬 Comments
    Slow cooker fiesta chicken over rice

    Ingredients

    Chicken Breasts

    I recommend boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. I have never tried it with boneless skinless chicken thighs, but my guess is it would work just as well.

    However, if you're using bone-in chicken thighs, I would pan sear it first to make sure it cooks all the way through.

    Whole Kernel Corn & Black Beans

    This crockpot recipe calls for a can of whole kernel corn and a can of black beans. I think pinto beans (drained) or chili beans (with the liquid) would be tasty as well.

    If you use chili beans, you want to keep the liquid because chili beans are seasoned beans. You'll likely end up with a more liquidy chicken mixture in the end, but that might turn out just fine.

    If you want a little something extra, add a small can of green chilis!

    Salsa

    I recommend using chunky salsa. Otherwise, you lose out on some texture.

    I also suggest using medium or hot salsa. The cream cheese balances out the spice quite a bit, so I think the bold flavor is needed.

    Seasoning

    This recipe calls for a Hidden Valley Fiesta Ranch Dips Mix Packet, but you can use a regular ranch dressing packet or a packet of taco seasoning.

    Cream Cheese

    I like the thickness cream cheese provides, but sour cream would work as well.

    Additionally, if you prefer more of a tomato base rather than a creamy base, skip the cream cheese altogether. It's more like a chili-type experience, and it will be more on the liquidy side.

    You can also nix the cream cheese and serve as-is but top with a dollop or sour cream.

    Take it to the next level!

    I loved this Tex-Mex chicken recipe when I was fresh out of school (and I probably would have loved it even more when I was a student!), but now I would say my tastes are a little... elevated.

    To make a fancier version (and a more veggie-heavy), add diced red onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Yes, these ingredients are likely already inside the salsa, but even using chunky salsa, nothing beats fresh veggies.

    Additionally, there are so many ways to elevate this recipe depending on how you serve it. Check out my serving suggestions below.

    To Serve

    I look at this creamy slow cooker fiesta chicken recipe as a base recipe. There are SO MANY things you can do to jazz it up.

    • Top with a dollop of sour cream and finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice
    • Serve over cilantro lime rice or make DIY burrito bowls with all of the traditional taco toppings (i.e., lettuce, salsa, sour cream, shredded cheddar, avocado, diced fresh tomatoes, cilantro)
    • Use as enchilada filling. I think enchilada sauce would be an incredibly topping choice as well!

    Equipment

    For this slow cooker meal, you will need a 6-Quart Crock-Pot or Instant Pot.

    Storage

    Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.

    📖 Recipe

    Tex-Mex chicken on a bed of rice.
    Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Email Print

    Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken

    This slow cooker fiesta chicken recipe is made with cream cheese, salsa, black beans, corn, and cream cheese.
    5 from 1 vote
    Recipe by: Kelsey Smith
    Prep time: 10 minutes
    Cook time: 6 hours
    Total time: 6 hours 10 minutes
    Servings: 6

    Equipment

    • Slow cooker

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
    • 1 Hidden Valley Fiesta Ranch Dip Mix Packet
    • 1 can corn drained
    • 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
    • 15 ounce chunky salsa medium or hot
    • 8 oz cream cheese
    • cooked rice optional, to serve

    Instructions
     

    • Place chicken in the bottom of your crock pot.
    • Layer with ranch dip mix, corn, black beans, and salsa, giving a small stir to combine.
    • Set your slow cooker on low for 5 to 6 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours.
    • When done, shred the chicken with two forks.
    • Cut cream cheese into cubes and add to slow cooker. Allow to soften for 15 minutes. Stir until combined.
    • Serve over rice, use as enchilada filling, or make burrito bowls.

    Video

    Notes

    Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 468kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 55gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 183mgSodium: 860mgPotassium: 1220mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 918IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 79mgIron: 2mg
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Keyword: chicken, Crock-Pot
    Tried this recipe?Rate it to let me know how it was!
    Slow cooker fiesta chicken over rice

    More slow cooker recipes

    • Slow Cooker Pesto Chicken
    • Slow Cooker Hawaiian Meatballs

    More Slow Cooker Recipes

    • Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs and Vegetables with Herbs
    • 48 Game Day Recipes for the Instant Pot and Slow Cooker
    • Easy Slow Cooker Hawaiian Meatballs
    • Slow Cooker Pesto Ranch Chicken Breasts

    About Kelsey Smith

    I am a freelance content writer for college-level textbooks by day, mommy by night, and a blogger in between. I live in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband, Xavier. When I'm not working on college textbooks, you might find me here, sharing recipes, social media tutorials, and more.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Max says

      January 16, 2013 at 6:29 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks, K-Red!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Photo of Kelsey Smith

    Hi, I'm Kelsey! I am a freelance content writer for college-level textbooks by day, mommy by night, and a blogger in between. I live in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband, Xavier. When I'm not working, you might find me here, sharing easy comfort food recipes.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • 3-Ingredient Cherry Dump Cake
    • Blueberry Banana Spinach Smoothie
    • Instant Pot Tortellini Soup with Sausage
    • Rotel Chicken Spaghetti

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • Shop My Amazon Store
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up

    Follow Me

    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Facebook Recipe Group

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Kelsey Smith

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok