Queso Chicken

My favorite easy recipe is this slow cooker queso chicken made in the crockpot with cheese sauce, then, shredded to add to some tacos!

Need the easiest dinner? Try out my queso chicken. You only need two ingredients and some seasonings. Pop it all in the slow cooker for just a few hours. Then, you will have the most tender and delicious chicken. Try it out on salads, tacos, bowls, or just about anything else!

If you know me, you know there is absolutely nothing I love more on Earth than queso.... or maybe my dog. I am always trying to find ways to incorporate my favorite food into a more balanced and healthy meal.

I have made tons of queso recipes such as queso Mac and cheese, queso smothered chicken casserole (it's a famous recipe!!), chicken con queso, meaty queso dip, nacho casserole or Doritos bake... and I am not stopping!

This recipe is the simplest of them all. You just need to season some chicken, pour some cheese over it then, cook that until it is done! I like to shred the chicken and use it for tacos after.

FAQs-

Does queso chicken need to be made in a crockpot? I love my crock pot version; however, you can make this in the Instant Pot, stove top or oven!

What can you do with the chicken? With the slow cooker queso chicken, I usually use it for tacos; but, you can use this for salads, bowl, or just about anything else.

Do you eat the chicken whole? I typically make shredded chicken with the queso cheese and add that to any dish; however, you can eat it whole or cut it up into bite-sized pieces.

How can I make this dish spicier? I keep this more mild; however, try adding some Rotel or spicy salsa into the mix.

Ingredients for the easiest, cheesy crockpot chicken

First things first is a crock pot or slow cooker of course. I use the original crock pot brand and I love using the liners for easy clean up; however, you do not have to. Make sure you grab a meat thermometer too, that can stay in a closed crock.

Then, you only need two ingredients (queso and chicken) and some seasonings!

• Chicken
• Salsa con Queso
• Taco Seasonings

Chicken

I use chicken breast or chicken cutlets for crockpot queso chicken; however, different cuts of chicken work very well. I suggest using something boneless, such as a boneless chicken thigh, since you will shred it. However, if you want to serve it whole, you can cut around a bone while eating.

Salsa con Queso

Queso chicken needs queso! Now what is salsa con queso you ask? Salsa con queso is in the grocery store and is near the tortilla chips in my local Publix. It is a jarred sauce/dip that consists of salsa and queso, hence, salsa con queso.

I loving having salsa con queso in my house as it is pretty low calorie for what it is, cheese. There are a variety of different brands but I use the generic one, it is cheaper! However, you can also make your own using Velveeta, or a similar cheese, and salsa. Purchase a pre-made salsa or make my homemade skinny salsa recipe.

How can I make this dish spicier? I keep this more mild; however, try adding some Rotel or spicy salsa into the mix.

Taco Seasonings

This is the taco seasonings recipe that I live and breathe for, hey, I love tacos, and is perfect to season the pork for this recipe. However, you can also buy a packet, just use 2/2.5 tablespoons of it!

• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon oregano

Adjust any of these seasonings to your liking in your queso chicken. This mix is not spicy; however, you can make it spicier with the addition of ground red pepper. However, if you are watching your salt, you can reduce that as well. But I do not think there is too much salt in this.

How to make crockpot cheesy chicken

Grab a crock pot or slow cooker of course. I use the original crock pot brand and I love using the liners for easy clean up; however, you do not have to. Make sure you grab a meat thermometer too, that can stay in a closed crock.

Add ⅛ cup of water or chicken broth to the bottom of the crock pot, to keep the chicken moist.

Place the chicken at the bottom. Sprinkle on the seasonings mixture. Then, top the chicken with the salsa con queso, spreading it out to evenly cover the chicken.

Place the lid on the crock pot and cook on low for two hours, until chicken is fully cooked.

Once cooked, shred the chicken. You can do this right in the crock pot or in a separate bowl. Use the shredded queso cheese chicken for tacos, salads, bowls, or just about anything else!

Instant Pot Version

I love making this chicken in the crock pot; however, if you do not have one, here is my Instant Pot version.

• Add oil to your instapot and turn it to the saute setting. When the oil heats up, add the chicken breasts (whole) to the pot and sear both sides for about a minute
• Turn the instapot off
• In the instapot, add the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, lime juice and seasonings. Stir to combine.
• Cover the pot and secure the lid. Make sure the valve is set to sealing. Set the pressure cook button to 10 minutes and start it
• Once completely cooked, vent and de-pressurize the instapot then open the lid. Shred the chicken with two forks or a hand mixer

You can also cook the chicken on the stovetop or in the oven, then, add the queso.

Using Frozen Chicken

I usually do not use frozen chicken; however, if that is what you have, it will work out perfectly fine too. Place the lid on the crock pot and cook on low for 2.5 to 3 hours, if using frozen chicken. Once the chicken thaws, place the meat thermometer into the largest part of the chicken.

what to serve with the best crock pot dish

We might need a vegetable side to this shredded queso cheese recipe. Try out some of my side dish recipes:

• Candied Carrot Chips
• Crunchy Crack Broccoli 
• Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower 
• Mini Blooming Onions - Air Fryer White Pearl Onions
• Macaroni Salad with Greek Yogurt

more of my favorite crock pot recipes

Love this crockpot queso chicken recipe? Try out some more crock pot recipes:

• Shredded Taco Chicken
• Pulled Hawaiian Chicken
• BBQ Turkey Tenderloin
• Pulled BBQ Turkey
• Pork Tenderloin

More taco meat recipes

Loving my slow cooker queso chicken tacos? Try out some more of my taco meat recipes:

• Instant Pot Shredded Taco Chicken
• Sweet Asian Taco Meat
• Chipotle Carnitas

Don't forget to give this recipe 5 STARS if you loved it!

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Queso Chicken

My favorite easy recipe is this slow cooker queso chicken made in the crockpot with cheese sauce, then, shredded to add to some tacos!

Click here to automatically calculate your Weight Watchers points. It is two points for me; however, may be different for you.