First published September 28, 2020. Last updated April 24, 2025 for editorial improvements.
🎥 Video
Creamy fiesta crockpot chicken is an easy dinner idea that the family will love.
This creamy, slow cooker chicken dish is the busy cook’s best friend and the picky eater’s unexpected favorite. It’s a dump-and-go dinner with almost zero prep, budget-friendly ingredients, and enough flavor to make your taste buds throw a fiesta. Serve it up burrito bowl style with all the fixin’s, pile it high on game day nachos, or stash a few servings in the freezer for those nights when cooking feels as appealing as folding laundry. It’s been a go-to in my kitchen since the days of feeding a small army of hungry kids—and yes, it still shows up for potlucks and soccer nights like the crowd-pleasing comfort food hero it is. Want more cozy? Don’t miss my crockpot chicken posole—it’s basically the committed relationship your soup bowl’s been waiting for.
🧾 Ingredients
You probably already have most of these pantry staples. Frozen onion & bell pepper mix was not shown in this image.
You can use chicken breast, thighs or even pork loin in this recipe without making any other changes. Never put frozen chicken in a
📖 Recipe
Crock Pot Fiesta Chicken Recipe
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 2 pounds chicken, breast or thighs
- 15 ounces black beans, or whatever kind you have. Drained & rinsed.
- 14 ounces diced tomatoes & green chilies, or plain diced tomatoes. Don't drain.
- 2 cups corn, drain if canned.
- 4 ounces diced chiles, drained
- 1 cup onion and bell pepper mix, in the freezer section
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground smoked paprika
- 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup, don't dilute
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature and cut in chunks
Instructions
- Spray the inside of the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. This makes clean up SO much easier.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add to the slow cooker.
- Add the remaining ingredients except for cream cheese.
- Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4.
- 30 minutes before it's time to eat shred the chicken with 2 forks and add the cream cheese.
- Continue to cook for 30 more minutes.
- Stir until cream cheese is all mixed in.
- Serve over rice, baked potatoes, tortilla chips, or whatever
Instant Pot Instructions
- Dump all of the ingredients except the cream cheese in your instant pot.
- Press the poultry button.
- Cook for a total of 25 minutes.
- Let the pressure release naturally.
- Cut the cream cheese into chunks and soften it in a bowl in the microwave.
- Add the softened cream cheese to the instant pot and put the lid back on.
- Let sit for about 5 minutes.
- Stir to blend in the cream cheese and serve.
Notes
- I don't like to put frozen chicken in a slow cooker. I ALWAYS thaw it first (overnight in the refrigerator). Slow cookers don't bring frozen chicken up to safe temperatures quickly enough and harmful bacteria can grow.
- Leave out the soup and cream cheese and add an extra can of tomatoes for a dairy free version.
- Add about a cup of milk if you'd like to serve this as fiesta chicken soup.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
🍽️ Serve with...
I serve this easy chicken dinner over rice as a rice bowl most of the time. You could serve it over tortilla chips for amazing nachos.
It's even good over noodles!
Other side dishes are optional but a good, crunchy salad adds texture and color to the table. Warm flour tortillas with butter? Yes please.
I like to squeeze a little lime juice over the top of the cooked chicken. It brings out all of the flavors!
Want to end the meal on a sweet note? My microwave Mexican Chocolate Cobbler is a quick, 10-minute dessert that would be a delicious finish to this meal!
Definitely check out this list of 75 things to serve with white chicken chili for more inspiration. You'll find recipes like -
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Be sure to check out my other slow cooker recipes!
Sherri Rochester says
I often take this for a Church potluck (leaving the corn out). Everyon loves it. They especially love the addition of the black beans not ever having them before. I do like to sub them with intos every now and then. Most of the dishes that I take to potluck at by you. I haven't found a bad one yet! Thank you so much for doing what yo do!!
Sherri Rochester says
Boy, my auto correct/proofreading is horrible!
Kelley says
I made the instapot version, and my boys loved it so much. They ask for it weekly!
Carla says
Can you use ground beef instead of chicken?
Marye says
Sure! Just cook it first.
Hannah says
I’m confused on the nutrition facts. Is 279 per serving or for the 6 servings?
Mary says
Taste delicious 😋 thankyou I will definitely be using your chicken recipes and crockpot chicken dinners.
Sharon says
Meant to say Electric roaster.
Sharon says
I need to make enough for about 14 so my crockpot isn’t big enough. Was thinking of making in an electric toaster. Have you ever tried this or made in the oven? I’m wondering about how long it will take.
Marye says
I've never tried it and so I can't comment on how long it might take. :/
Hannah says
What sides would you serve with this?
Marye says
Rice, tortilla chips, a salad, warm tortillas, anything you like.
Elizabeth says
Can you used precooked rotisserie chicken? How will that change the cooking time in the crockpot?
Marye says
I'd leave it out and add it just before serving. It would be done in probably 2 to 4 hours doing it this way.
J B says
Can you freeze this after made?
Marye says
Yes. You can freeze it for up to 3 months.
Judy P says
Oh this sounds so good, I simply love Mexican food and plan on making this soon. I like to do a lot of prep work when I buy my groceries. I'll get 3 or4 bunches of green onions, clean them and chop up fairly small slices and freeze them in a ziplock bag. Same with regular onions, peppers, and herbs like cilantro. I'm elderly so I like to make things as easy for me as I can. A whole chicken is too much for just me, so I buy canned chicken breast. Small cans for chicken salad for sandwiches or to put into my fiesta style scrambled eggs, and large ones for casseroles to take somewhere or for yummy stuff like this. It's much cheaper for me. Love your recipes!!!
Marye says
thank you!
Kirsten says
I accidentally added the cream cheese with everything! Hoping it will be okay!
Marye says
It may separate a bit but should be fine.
shannon terp says
You don't mention how much of each ingredient like how many chicken breasts or how much cream cheese.
Marye says
If you'll scroll down to the recipe in the green recipe card you'll find all of the measurements and instructions.
Marilyn Adams says
What is considered a serving portion?
Marye says
1/6 of the recipe but I've never measured it out.
Kathy says
If I cut the recipe in half would I still cook it the same amount of time in my Crock pot?
Marye says
Yes, you will need to cook the same amount of time.