My gift to you this new year is a quick slow cooker meal that will help you breathe after the madness of the holidays. Tender chicken, sweet pineapple, hearty beans and flavorful salsa make this meal a slow cooker wonder. And I don’t know about you, but I love wonders like that. We’ve eaten this at least three or four times since I spotted it on my friend, Kristin’s blog, and enjoy it rolled up inside tortillas or simply scooped up with chips and smothered in cheese, sour cream, tomatoes and lettuce.
Fantastic little meal, this one. And the leftovers freeze beautifully. Happy 2011!
One Year Ago: Tortellini Spinach Salad with Balsamic-Tomato Vinaigrette
Two Years Ago: Quick and Delicious Clam Chowder
Three Years Ago: California Chicken Marinade
Pineapple Salsa Chicken {Slow Cooker}
Printable Version with Picture
Printable Version
*Note: this recipe is so adaptable. I used a can of black beans and a can of white beans because that is what I had in my pantry, but feel free to substitute the type of beans you like or have on hand.
*Serves 6-8
INGREDIENTS:
6 fresh or frozen chicken breasts
1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15-ounce) can white beans, like Great Northern, rinsed and drained
2 cups mild or medium salsa
Tortillas or tortilla chips and garnishes, like sour cream, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, etc.
DIRECTIONS:
Place the chicken in the crock pot and add the rest of the ingredients. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Using tongs, remove the chicken to a cutting board and shred into bite-size pieces. Mix the chicken back in with the rest of the ingredients. The mixture will be fairly soupy – I like to drain off some of the excess liquid before serving, especially if we are eating it in tortillas, so it doesn’t make everything soggy. Serve with tortilla chips and garnishes, like tomatoes, cheese, avocado, sour cream, etc.
*Freezable Option: I freeze the leftovers in freezer-safe ziploc bags and either place the frozen portion in my crockpot for a few hours the day I want to serve it or thaw the night before in the refrigerator and reheat on low in a saucepan.
Recipe Source: adapted slightly from Kristin E.
{ 53 comments… read them below or add one }
This looks amazing, Melanie! What fabulous flavors, and I love that you make it in the slow cooker.
Do you have a favorite salsa to use in this dish?
A reliable crockpot recipe to ease us into the New Year…what a gift! Thank you so much for your constant endeavors on this site, I’ve made your mom’s lasagna, your perfected spaghetti sauce, and your cheesesteak subs…all with great success! This site is my absolute favorite!
Mel–I swear I got onto my computer this morning saying, “I just want a slow cooker something for tonight…I need a break from all the holiday cooking.” Sometimes it’s creepy how you are inside my head. And by the way–the new look for the blog is awesome!
I just might make this today. Thanks for posting early!
This looks delicious! I got a new crock pot for Christmas so now I have 3! Crock pot meals are my favorite, so I’m sure I’ll be making this soon~ Happy New Year
Ooh. Looks hearty and perfect for a lazy meal this week. Bookmarking this one!
sounds yummy! I posted a cheesecake recipe today that I think you would love. Seeing you and I share a love for cheesecake and all
Hi there, from a fellow Wisconsin cook..! I think this is going to be our supper tonight!
love,
cathy b. @ brightbakes
I love how you include options for freezing each meal. It is great to be able to tuck meals away in the freezer for those busy days…
holy. yumminess. it sounds a lot like the slow cooker southwest chicken stacks, which we had for dinner last night actually.
Do you think it matters the brand of salsa you use? or if it is medium or mild? I feel like I lose the flavor of the chicken…and i wonder if its because im using a cheap salsa?
This looks fabulous! A little teriayki sauce would be good too. Yum!
i love this recipe, it looks easy and healthy!
Oh I’ve made Salsa Chicken before but adding pineapple would add some good stuff to it!
Kim (and other inquiring minds!) – I mostly use the Pace brand of salsa. We prefer medium around here but occasionally I’ll use mild, too. I’m sure there are higher-quality salsas out there but Pace works for us!
I just put this in the crock pot. Can’t wait to try it. I used a corn and black bean Pace salsa that I hope makes it spectacular. Thanks for the recipe.
thank you, thank you!! i was needing something new (and easy) and hallelujah, i’ve got ALL the ingredients! sounds yummy!
I love Pineapple Black Bean Chicken Enchiladas, so I know I will love this!! This recipe actually would be a lot easier, so thank you Melanie! Love your blog
Mel, could you substitute something for the pineapple? My husband is allergic (of all the nerve!) to pineapple. It sounds great otherwise.
Melody
Similar to the question about substituting pineapple, I was wondering if it would work if I left out the beans. I feel like I might be missing some of the “heartiness” of the dish if I do, but we are not bean people. Any thoughts? Thanks for all of your fabulous recipes!
Susan and Melody – this recipe is really adaptable, I think. I think you could leave out the beans and it would still taste great. You are right, Susan, it might miss a little heartiness but if you aren’t lovers of beans you’ll probably prefer it that way. Melody, if you leave out the pineapple, I’d throw in a tablespoon of brown sugar to add sweetness.
oh i love it. I actually just bought a slow cooker cookbook today to get more ideas, I love the slow cooker so easy. This looks better than anything in the cook book. THanks I will make this soon. thanks for sharing!!
Wow! That is a simple recipe and it sounds so yummy! Thanks. I need some slow cooker meals. Our church is at a late time slot this year and we are starving when we get home!
superb! sweet and spicy chicken complete with BEANS. yeah, i can work with this.
So, I’m back to report on the deliciousness. I had planned to make it with chicken, but then realized I had 5 big ol’ pork chops defrosted in my fridge, and I needed to use them up–so pork it was! It was fantastic. Once everything was cooked and shredded up I did think it needed a little more seasoning (but that could be because I used a fresh pico de gallo salsa, and not a saltier jarred variety) so I added a little seasoning and it was just right. The whole gang loved it. And I’ve got enough leftovers for 2 entire other meals in my freezer ready to go! What could be better?!
Reyna – I think you are on to something with the pork. I’m glad you tried it out because I want to try it but didn’t want to be a guinea pig. Thanks for taking one for the team!
I discoverd your website a while ago and have been using some of your recipes for the past month or so. They have all been delicious. I especially liked this one. Thank you!
I have this in the crock pot right now! Can’t wait to taste it! Also, I’ve made your Creamy White Chile a lot, lately. I’ve made it for family get-togethers and everyone has been nuts about it! I LOVE it! I made your Tomato Basil Bisque, last night. Delicious! I couldn’t believe that my normally VERY picky eaters, ate all of it! Home run with that recipe!
AND… I made the chocolate chip cheeseball for New Years Eve and it was devoured in minutes… Sinfully delish!
Thank you for all you wonderful recipes. I seriously wonder if I cook anything other than your great recipes, anymore. (I’m making your Honey Lime Enchiladas tomorrow night! haha!)
You should think about making a cook book. Seriously! I would buy 10. Not kidding!
Amanda – you are so sweet! I’m glad the recipes you’ve made lately have all been great! Thanks for letting me know. (I’m making the honey lime enchiladas tomorrow, too, which is about time b/c that picture needs some serious updating!).
Thanks, Stacy!
yuuuuuuuuuum. It’s summer here and I was just thinking i need recipes I can cook in summer in the slowcooker! and you’ve given me one:)
corrie:)
We made this and loved it! I’ve made salsa chicken in the crockpot before, but with bland results. The pineapple really did the trick. Thanks!
Thanks, Felicia!
I’m so glad you liked the recipe! Don’t you love when other people love what you love? I feel that way about two things, people and food. Happy New Year!
Mel!!! Hi! This looks soooo sooooo good, and I am definitely going to make it WITH pineapple even if I’m the only one in my family who will eat it!!! I can’t even wait! Thanks for all the tons and tons of brilliant delish recipes, I have a lot more I want to try too! I’ll come back and let you know how super yummy they were!
K, this seriously is soo good. I only used 4 chicken breast and a little less pineapple cause I wasn’t sure if I would like it but oh my goodness. So good!!!
Thanks, Sara!
i made this today. SO good! i have loved every recipe of yours that i’ve tried. thank you!~
Thanks, Emily!
Unbelievable!! I have to say that every recipe I try from your website is a winner which makes me want to keep coming back… thanks alot for another winning recipe!
Thank you, Hannah!
I made this the other night and it was a huge hit! LOVED it! I made it with Mango salsa and it was divine.
Thanks, Tomi Ann! Mango salsa is a brilliant accompaniment to this…
I have this in the Crock pot right now! I love your website!!!!
So easy and good! I used pork because it is what I had sitting in the freezer needing to be used, and I used Costco’s mango salsa that I had on hand. Delicious combo!
We had this as leftovers tonight on a baked potato, it was yummy!
YUM!! Thank you! Made this last night & altho my husband didn’t love it, my kids & I did & they’re even harder to please!
At the end I mixed in some chopped cilantro & made burritos with it. Realllly good! And sooooo fast & easy. Will definitely be making this one again!
I totally sound like a broken record with my comments but…we really enjoyed this. It was so easy and so tasty!
Love this. What do you think about serving fajita style with some orange bell peppers and sweet onions? It’s in my crockpot right this minute…I can’t wait for dinner!
-K
Katie – I think that would be delicious! Let me know if you try it that way (you might want to drain a bit of the liquid off so your tortillas don’t get too soggy…)
I loved this recipe! Made it tonight. We ate it over some quinoa, and I’m sure it would taste great over brown rice too! So easy and delicious! The hubby and I both loved it!
Hi, I’m a new reader and this is the first recipe I’ve tried. It was delicious! I posted about it on my blog, but I was sure to give you credit and link back. Here’s the post, in case you’re interested, http://cookingmisadventures.com/2011/10/21/pineapple-salsa-chicken/
Thanks!!
Hi Mel! Just found this site, and love it…and not just because we have the same name!! I’m making this tonight, and can’t wait! There are a few more on my list to try -but, I’m going to attempt to make them Gluten Free!! Thanks for sharing all this greatness.
Made this today and it was great! I added a little salt and all of the fun toppings you suggested plus cilantro. It was like a burrito from Chipotle with an island flair. Tasty!
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