You don't need much with this easy
This creamy crockpot fiesta chicken recipe is a family favorite.Table of Contents
I can't get enough of
🗝️ Key takeaways
- Crockpot recipes are my favorite dinner solution for busy weeknights. This is basically a dump-and-go
slow cooker meal with almost no prep time. - I like to serve this on game day Saturdays or take it to potlucks because it's a crowd-pleaser!
- This easy chicken recipe freezes well so make a big crockpot full of it and break it up into meal-size (or serving-size) portions. Variations for serving suggestions.
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
I used to make this a lot for my large family when all of the kids lived at home. It was a lifesaver!
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.
📖 Variations
- You can use chicken breast or chicken thighs in this fiesta chicken recipe.
- A pork loin or thick-cut boneless pork chops work great in this recipe.
- Leave the chiles out if you like.
- Or, kick up the heat level with an extra can of green chiles or canned jalapenos.
- Make it creamier. Add the full 8-ounce block of cream cheese.
- 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 RoTel tomatoes. It gives it even more Mexican flavor.
- 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.
- Use this with brown rice, white rice, or cilantro rice to make rice bowls.
- Add about a cup of milk if you'd like to serve this as fiesta chicken soup.
🔪 Instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the green recipe card below.
- Add the boneless skinless chicken breasts, drained and rinsed beans, corn, chiles, and tomatoes to the
slow cooker . - Pour in the peppers and onions mix.
- Top with the soup and cilantro. Cook on low for 8 hours
- 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.
- Serve fiesta chicken with your favorite toppings.
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.
🎥 Video
Creamy fiesta crockpot chicken is an easy dinner idea that the family will love.
🥫 How to store leftovers
This crock pot fiesta chicken recipe is even better the second day!
Refrigerate
Store any leftover fiesta chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze
Freeze for longer storage. The frozen fiesta chicken will be fine frozen for up to 3 or 4 months.
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.
Reheat
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then heat small portions in the microwave. Larger portions can be heated on top of the stove.
💭 Tips
Expert Tip: Never put frozen chicken in a
- I prefer to shred the chicken with 2 forks but some people swear by a hand mixer.
- Some recipes and experts say you can cook chicken on high for 4 hours. I don't agree. I think it needs the full 8 hours on low so it comes out tender and juicy. Cooking on high has a tendency to dry it out.
- If you need to cook it on high you are better off using chicken thighs.
👩🍳 FAQs
Chicken breast can dry out if it's cooked on high. Low and slow is best in my opinion.
Always cook chicken breast to 160F then let it stand a few minutes to reach 165F.
There could be a couple of reasons. (1) You may have simply overcooked it. Stick with low and slow. (2) You may be cooking in too big or too small of a
🍽️ 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 -
Related recipes
Be sure to check out my other slow cooker recipes!
📞 The last word
This is such an easy recipe and it's so versatile, too.
Casual enough for game day snacks but hearty enough for Wednesday night dinner! Try these traditional creamy chicken nachos, too.
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars!
📖 Recipe
Crock Pot Fiesta Chicken
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
- 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.
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.
First published September 28, 2020. Last updated October 17, 2023, to include more tips and serving suggestions.
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.