Crock Pot Fiesta Chicken is the perfect Mexican meal for a busy family on the go. You can use it to make tacos or put it on a rice bowl. You can even use it as a topping for nachos. This is such a great slow cooker meal because it is so versatile and the uses for dinner are endless.
If you love creamy chicken you are going to love this slow cooker meal. You may of heard of it as fiesta ranch chicken or just fiesta chicken. Either way the Mexican inspired flavors make this shredded chicken delicious. This is such a great meal to double and freeze some for later in the week. Then just reheat it on a night when you are busy and add to some rice or put it in some tortillas.
If you are looking for more great dinner ideas for busy nights. You should check out our Instant Pot Goulash or our Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos. They are perfect for a weeknight dinner for the family.
Crock Pot Fiesta Chicken Ingredients
With just a few ingredients and a Crock Pot. You can make this tasty fiesta chicken with very little effort.
- Chicken Breasts: look for chicken breasts that are similar size so they bake evenly.
- Ranch Dressing Seasoning: Adds so much flavor and can be substituted for spicy or fiesta dry ranch seasoning.
- Onion Powder: Onion powder is delicious addition to add lots of flavor to the chicken.
- Black Pepper: You can add more to season to your liking.
- Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies: See substitutions down below to make it less spicy.
- Corn: I used canned corn, but you can use fresh corn as well.
- Black Beans: You can also use dry beans. You will need to follow the directions and re-hydrate them first.
- Cream Cheese: This is what makes this so creamy.
- Limes: Try to use freshly squeezed lime juice. The bottled stuff just doesn’t taste the same.
- Chicken Broth: You can make your own with bullion or use chicken broth from a can.
How To Make Crock Pot Fiesta Chicken
- Place chicken breasts in the Crock Pot. Add drained and rinsed black beans, drained corn, Rotel tomatoes, onion powder, ranch seasoning, and black pepper.
- Squeeze fresh lime juice over the top. Then pour chicken broth over ingredients and place cream cheese block on top.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or on LOW for 5-6 hours. Chicken is done when it reaches 165 degrees internal temperature.
- Remove chicken from the Crock Pot. Using two forks shred the chicken and add back into the Crock Pot.
- Stir all the ingredients together until cream cheese coats everything.
- Serve while hot and enjoy!
Can I Make This Less Spicy?
Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies can have a little bit of a kick to them. So if you and your family don’t like spice. Here are a few ways you can tone it down.
- If you can find mild Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies this is a great alternative.
- Use your favorite mild salsa. You will need about 2 cups to use this as a substitute.
- You can also use plain diced tomatoes to remove all the spice from the chicken
How To Serve Fiesta Chicken
- Tacos: Add to your favorite corn or flour tortillas.
- Over Rice: Put over plain white rice, cilantro lime rice or Mexican rice.
- Burrito Bowl: Make a layer of rice and add the fiesta chicken on top. Then add your favorite toppings like guacamole, sour cream, shredded lettuce, tortilla strips and pico de gallo. Then sprinkle a little shredded cheese over the top.
- Salad: Place a tortilla in the bottom of a bowl and sprinkle cheddar cheese over it. Melt the cheese in the microwave or oven. Then add cilantro rice, fiesta chicken, shredded lettuce, guacamole, pico de gallo, shredded cheese and tortilla strips. Then add your favorite dressing over the top.
- Sandwich: Add to your favorite bun or bread.
How To Store Leftover Fiesta Chicken
Leftover Crock Pot fiesta chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container and reheated in the microwave, making it ideal for quick lunches or dinners.
This is the perfect freezer meal. I like to double or even triple this recipe and then divide it into dinner sized portions. Then I will put them in individual freezer bags and freeze them for later. Make sure to let the shredded chicken cool to room temperature. Before placing it in the freezer bags and freezing. This will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you are ready to serve it. Remove it from the freezer the night before and let if thaw in the refrigerator. You can microwave it or throw it back in the Crock Pot.
Crock Pot Fiesta Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 dry ranch dressing packet
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 10 oz can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies (do not drain)
- 1 15 oz can whole kernel corn (drained)
- 1 15 oz can black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 8 oz block of plain cream cheese
- 2 fresh squeezed limes
- ½ cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the Crock Pot. Add drained and rinsed black beans, drained corn, Rotel tomatoes, onion powder, ranch seasoning, and black pepper.
- Squeeze fresh lime juice over the top. Then pour chicken broth over ingredients and place cream cheese block on top.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or on LOW for 5-6 hours. Chicken is done when it reaches 165 degrees internal temperature.
- Remove chicken from the Crock Pot. Using two forks shred the chicken and add back into the Crock Pot.
- Stir all the ingredients together until cream cheese coats everything.
- Serve while hot and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?
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I love easy and delicious crock pot recipes like this!
I love them too!
This sounds like such a flavourful and delicious meal – my family would totally love it!
You should totally make this for them.
I am loving this chicken dinner idea! I can’t believe so much flavor is packed into such an easy dish. I love it when I can let the slow cooker do all the work.
I love when the slow cooker does all the work too.
Oh this I have to try – saving to make this weekend!
Let me know what you think once you try it.
Ooh such a great use of the slow cooker! So many great flavors. Love that the chicken reheats well for leftovers too.
It is definitely a great recipe for leftovers.
Guy question here. Are the chicken breasts thawed? IE not frozen? I think so but wanted to make sure.
The recipe calls for thawed chicken breasts. But if you want to use frozen you can bump the cooking time up by one hour. Just make sure the chicken reaches 165 degrees.
I’m trying this tonight! I followed the recipe exactly, except I added an additional small can of green chilies.I will then turn the result into enchiladas 🙂
I love the addition of green chilies. I can’t wait to hear how you like them.
I have tried and follow the recipe and is watery not thick what should I do ?
Did you drain both the black beans and corn? Also, make sure your chicken is not frozen, this could cause it to be thinner.
My family really liked this.
I’m so glad
How would you make this without a crock pot?
I haven’t made this on the stovetop, but you can add cooked chicken and all other ingredients to a large pot and cook on the stove top
I have two questions can we use taco seasoning? Can we omit the black beans? What would be a good substitution?
Yes you an use taco seasoning and if you want to omit the black beans all together you can. You can substitute them with kidney beans if you prefer.
Could I make this recipe and use it to make pinwheels using flour tortillas? Would I have to do anything extra to the mixture?
I havent made this into pinwheels, but I would love to hear how it turns out if you decide to try it.
This recipe is totally awesome 🥰
I’ve made this fiesta chicken 3 or 4 times! We love the finished dish, and it’s very easy to make. You have to try this, you won’t be disappointed! 😋
Thank you for sharing Betty!
I added some extra seasoning and hot sauce. I can say this one is better.
Glad you liked it.