Fiesta Chicken in the Crockpot

You don't need much with this easy slow cooker dinner! We like it made into a delicious burrito bowl with all the fixin's.

If you love coming home to a comforting meal try this crock pot creamy ranch chicken or my recipe for chicken spaghetti next.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
• 🧾 Ingredients
• 🔪 Instructions
• 🎥 Full video
• 🥫 Storage
• 🥄 Cook along!
• 💭 Tips
• 🍽️ Serve with...
• Love the recipes? Get the book!
• Related recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

Fiesta chicken is budget friendly, creamy comfort food - and there's almost no prep time. Since it's made in a crockpot it's the perfect soccer night dinner - even your picky eaters will love it.

Just dump the ingredients in the slow cooker and forget about it!

You might also want to take a look at this brothy, crockpot posole - the Mexican version of chicken soup!

🧾 Ingredients

You probably already have most of these pantry staples!

• You can use chicken breast or chicken thighs in this fiesta chicken recipe.
• Leave the chiles out if you like.
• Use plain diced tomatoes if you don't like a little spice.
• You can substitute a 16 oz jar of your favorite salsa for the Ro*Tel tomatoes. It gives it even more Mexican flavor.
• Frozen onion & bell pepper mix was not shown in the image.

🔪 Instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the green recipe card below.

1. Add the chicken, drained and rinsed beans, corn, chiles, and tomatoes to the slow cooker.
2. Pour in the peppers and onions mix.
3. Top with the soup and cilantro. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
4. 30 minutes before serving add room temperature cream cheese cut in chunks and shred the chicken with 2 forks. Put the cover back on and let it continue to cook.
5. Serve fiesta chicken with your favorite toppings.

Instant pot instructions

1. Dump all of the ingredients except the cream cheese in your instant pot.
2. Press the poultry button.
3. Cook for a total of 25 minutes.
4. Let the pressure release naturally.
5. Cut the cream cheese into chunks and soften it in a bowl in the microwave.
6. Add the softened cream cheese to the instant pot and put the lid back on.
7. Let sit for about 5 minutes.
8. Stir to blend in the cream cheese and serve.

🎥 Full video

Just click on the image below if you'd like to see the full length video on YouTube. It opens in a new tab so you won't lose your place here.

🥫 Storage

Store any leftover fiesta chicken in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freeze for longer storage.

I like to freeze this creamy chicken dinner in freezer bags. Lay them flat on a baking sheet and freeze overnight. Once they are frozen solid you can stack them easily or store them vertically to take up the least amount of space.

🥄 Cook along!

Easily follow along on your phone.

💭 Tips

Expert Tip: Never put frozen chicken in a slow cooker. 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.

• If you don't want to use the frozen pepper mix use ½ cup onions and ½ cup diced bell peppers.
• Pinto or kidney beans can be substituted for the black beans.
• Leave out the soup and cream cheese and add an extra can of tomatoes for a dairy free version.
• This is delicious spooned over baked potatoes.
• Add about a cup of milk if you'd like to serve this as fiesta chicken soup.

🍽️ Serve with...

I serve this easy chicken dinner over rice most of the time but 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.

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!

Love the recipes? Get the book!

I don't know about y'all but honestly, sometimes I would give up just about anything to not have to cook dinner.

Days that I've worked all day and I'm tired - and by the way... why is it that I am the only one that can create a meal?

If you have those days, too I am here to tell you that this crockpot recipe is a lifesaver! Keep it handy - you're going to need it!

Be sure to check out my other slow cooker meals!

Now, go grab that book you've been dying to read and put your feet up. You deserve it.

Related recipes

• Side Dish Recipes are always good - even for a one pot meal like this one!
• Perfect Pot Roast just makes you feel good inside. It's old fashioned comfort food.
• Brown Sugar Chicken can be made in the slow cooker or oven. I prefer the oven because I think the glaze is better. Either way it's one of those easy meals you go to again and again.

📖 Recipe

First published September 28, 2020. Last updated January 25, 2021 to include more tips and serving suggestions.