Spicy Crock Pot Chicken

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Our spicy crock pot chicken combines the simplicity of the crock pot with the complex flavors of classic Mexican ingredients. Chicken breasts are slow-cooked in green enchilada sauce with onions, green chiles and bold seasonings. It’s the perfect meal to serve alongside rice or mashed potatoes or to use in your favorite dishes like tacos, burritos, sandwiches, and more.

A bite of chicken and mashed potatoes on a fork held above a bowl filled with a serving of crock pot spicy chicken.

Living in California, we had access to a melting pot of delicious flavors. Our mom always had something interesting on the table, from Asian cuisine to classic Americana. We loved them all, but Mexican food always had a special place in both of our hearts. When we both ended up in Texas, we really came to love it. We routinely make classic Mexican dishes like tacos and burritos, and we love creating Mexican-inspired dishes like our Mexican chicken lasagna.

Our newest entry into our Mexican lineup is this spicy crock pot chicken. With all its tender, juicy chicken and big, bold Mexican flavors, it’s a dish that always has everyone asking for more. And since it’s an easy crock pot recipe, we’re always happy to oblige.

A white bowl with blue trim with a serving of spicy crock pot chicken and mashed potatoes in it.

Why You’ll Love This Spicy Crock Pot Chicken

Limited Ingredients: It only takes 9 simple ingredients to make this recipe, and 4 of them are seasonings.
Easy: It’s a simple crock pot recipe you can set and forget.
Versatile: It’s delicious with rice or mashed potatoes and some vegetables or used to make tacos, burritos, quesadillas, sandwiches, and more.

Ingredients

Cubed Chicken Breasts: Chicken breasts are meaty and have a mild flavor that pairs well with the bold flavors in this recipe.
Yellow Onion: Yellow onion adds bite and a touch of sweetness.
Green Enchilada Sauce: Green enchilada sauce has a slightly herbal flavor with cilantro notes, a touch of citrus, and a mild heat.
Jalapeno Sauce: Jalapeno sauce adds a big kick of spicy heat and classic jalapeno flavor.
Diced Green Chiles: Diced green chiles add a mild, slightly sweet flavor to the sauce.
Seasonings: A bold blend of Slap Ya Mama Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper adds and even bigger kick of flavor to the chicken.

See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact measurements.

A white plate with blue trim with bite size pieces of slow cooked chicken and mashed potatoes on it.

Flavor Variations

Red Enchilada Sauce: Use red enchilada sauce for a bigger kick of smoky flavor and heat.
Meat: The sauce used for this chicken is great with beef and pork, too.
Mild: Omit the jalapeno sauce and add more green enchilada sauce.

How to Make This Spicy Chicken Crock Pot Recipe

1: Step 1 – Line a 6 to 8-quart crock pot with a crock pot liner or spray it with nonstick cooking spray.

2: Step 2 – Add the chicken, followed by the remaining ingredients.

3: Step 3 – Cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or on low for 8 to 9 hours. Enjoy!

Chunks of chicken breasts in a crock pot.

Seasonings sprinkled over chunks of chicken breasts in a crock pot.

Diced onions added to the crock pot along with seasonings and chicken.

Diced green chiles added on top of diced onions, seasonings, and chicken pieces.

Green enchilada sauce added on top of diced green chiles, onions, seasonings, and chunks of chicken breats.

Jalapeno sauce pour on top of chicken chunks, seasonings, onions, diced green chiles, and enchilada sauce.

Storage

Refrigerate this spicy crock pot chicken for up to 3 days in an airtight container. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag.

To reheat the chicken, defrost it if frozen. Then, microwave individual portions at 1-minute intervals until heated through.

What to Serve with Crock Pot Spicy Chicken

Serve this spicy chicken with other zesty and Mexican-inspired sides like Spanish rice, Cajun buttered corn on the cob, or green chile corn casserole. And for dessert, try a tasty twist on churros with these cream cheese churro pastry bites.

Tips

There’s no need to wash your chicken. Studies show that washing the chicken doesn’t do anything to make it safer, and it actually spreads bacteria all over your kitchen from the splashing water.
Be sure to line your crock pot or spray it with nonstick spray. This isn’t a soupy recipe, so the chicken can stick.
Be sure your chicken is cut into cubes no larger than 1 inch. That’s the perfect size for getting the chicken super-tender and delicious.

A bite of chicken and mashed potatoes on a fork.

FAQ

What is jalapeno sauce?

Jalapeno sauce is a condiment made with blended jalapenos, onions, garlic, herbs, and spices. It may or may not also have yogurt or mayonnaise to create a creamy consistency.

Is jalapeno sauce hot?

Jalapeno sauce is moderately spicy, just like the peppers from which it’s made.

Are canned green chiles hot?

Canned green chiles aren’t very spicy. They’re more sweet than anything else. Depending on the brand, they can have almost no heat or a mild to moderate amount.

Can I make this recipe with chicken thighs?

You absolutely can make this with chicken thighs. The flavor will be deeper and richer. However, the sauce will have a bit of extra fat in it from the thighs.

Try This Spicy Crock Pot Chicken for Yourself

If you love big, bold flavors with a spicy kick, this spicy crock pot chicken is for you. It’s so delicious, and it’s ridiculously easy to make. Just pop everything into the slow cooker and let it do all the work. With so much flavor and so little effort, this is the perfect meal for family dinners or parties and potlucks. Give it a try!

More Crock Pot Recipes You’ll Enjoy

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