Easy Slow Cooker Chile Verde comes together with just 4 simple ingredients for a hearty, flavorful meal. Juicy, tender chicken simmers in a zesty jarred salsa verde base for a convenient step – just dump and go! Serve over rice or tortillas and finish with cilantro, lime, or your favorite toppings for a satisfying family favorite.

overhead view of black plate containing chile verde on rice with tortilla chips, jalapeno peppers cheese and sour cream, on a wooden cutting board with limes and cilantro in background

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What is chili verde?

Chili verde is a hearty recipe combining shredded beef, pork, or chicken with a verde base made from green chiles, tomatillos, lime juice, and other varieties of seasonings and peppers.

Authentic chili verde recipes require chopping and preparing the peppers, roasting or simmering them, then blending them into a thickened salsa or sauce base. The meat is then slow-cooked in the base until easy to shred, resulting in a tangy, mildly hot flavor.

What’s To Love About This Recipe

Hearty chile verde doesn’t get any easier – just 4 ingredients and a few minutes of prep! The slow cooker does the work, and the jarred salsa verde is a lifesaver for this traditional recipe.
Tomato-based chili is a family favorite, but it’s nice to have chile verde as another option with incredible flavor. This tangy salsa verde base, combined with tender, juicy chicken, is a delicious option for meal prepping and serving with plenty of other sides.
Many traditional chili verde recipes include a long list of ingredients for the sauce base, but they’re usually the same ingredients that you’ll find in a jar of salsa verde at the grocery store! Use this simple shortcut to deliver maximum flavor and convenience.
This is a mild, family-friendly dish that’s easy to spice up if you like more heat. With a high-quality premade salsa, you can add extra peppers and spice if you want, or simply look for a spicier version.
Serve chile verde over rice, in tacos, or with your favorite toppings like cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, and more.
Everyone needs a no-fail freezer-friendly option for quick meals later! Store this in single portions and easily thaw and reheat for fast, satisfying lunches and dinners.

Ingredients Needed

Boneless skinless chicken thighs – Chicken thighs stay moist and shred easily after slow cooking. The darker meat adds more flavor to a more straightforward recipe, but chicken breasts can also be used (they may be less flavorful).
Tapioca flour or cornstarch – Use a thickener to help the sauce set up, or skip this step if you prefer a thinner chili.
Salsa verde – Find your favorite jarred salsa verde, and go for the best quality that you can! The heat level varies by brand, so adjust toppings or add peppers if you want more spice. I like using the Late July brand because I enjoy its milder flavor and because it is not super thick.
Chicken broth – Broth adds moisture and flavor to the chicken. A low-sodium broth will help you control the overall amount of salt.

chile verde ingredients to include 2 chicken thighs on white plate, black bowl of salsa Verde, glass measuring cup of chicken broth and small bowl of cornstarch

How To Make Slow Cooker Chili Verde

Add chicken to the slow cooker.
Sprinkle chicken with tapioca flour to coat.

overhead view of chicken thighs in black slow cooker

overhead view of chicken thighs in black slow cooker covered with cornstarch

Add salsa and chicken broth to the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.

overhead view of chicken thighs in black slow cooker covered with cornstarch, salsa and chicken broth

Remove the chicken and shred it with forks.

white plate with shredded chicken thighs and 2 forks

Return the chicken to the slow cooker and stir to combine.
Serve with rice, crushed chips, cheese, sour cream, or as desired.

overhead view of chile verde in black slow cooker with wooden spoon inserted, surrounded by tortilla chips, limes and cilantro

Pro Tips

Salsa verde tends to be mild, but if you want more heat, stir in diced jalapeños or add a pinch of cayenne pepper before cooking. For less spice, choose a milder salsa verde brand.
Traditional chile verde involves several steps in preparing the peppers, but no roasting or sautéing is required here. The jarred salsa verde makes this an easy, super-tasty shortcut recipe.
Searing the meat is also not necessary here; the slow cooker will thoroughly cook and tenderize the chicken.
Chile verde doubles easily in a 6 or 7-quart slow cooker.

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

There are many ways to make chili verde, and you can use different cuts of meat in a traditional-style chili verde. Try pork shoulder, pork loin, or beef chuck and adjust cooking time as needed.
Add diced poblanos or roasted hatch chiles for even more depth of flavor.
Jarred salsa verde is the easiest option, but if you prefer to make it from scratch, roast fresh tomatillos and peppers, then blend them together for a more potent flavor.

Chile Verde in the Instant Pot

Add all ingredients to the Instant Pot.
Seal and set to high pressure for 15 minutes.
Allow a 10-minute natural pressure release before releasing the remaining pressure.
Shred the chicken and stir it back into the sauce before serving.

closeup view of chile verde with wooden spoon

How To Serve Chili Verde

Serve chili verde as a simple main course for plenty of family-friendly meals, such as:

Over steamed white or brown rice (and learn How To Make The Perfect Slow Cooker Rice here!)
With warm tortillas and toppings like cheese, sour cream, avocado, fresh lime wedges, and cilantro
As a filling for tacos, burritos, or enchiladas
Over nachos with melted cheese, or with a dollop of Spicy Slow Cooker Queso and tortilla chips.

overhead view of black plate containing chile verde on rice with tortilla chips, jalapeno peppers cheese and sour cream, with limes and cilantro on a wooden cutting board with black slow cooker in background

Storing and Reheating

How To Best Store Leftovers

Fridge

Let leftover chili verde cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Freezer

Freeze portions in airtight bags or containers for up to 3 months. Souper Cubes make it easy to freeze single servings in just the right amount. Thaw frozen leftovers in the fridge overnight before reheating.

How To Best Reheat Leftovers

Reheat leftovers on the stovetop in a skillet with a splash of broth if needed. Or microwave in 1-2-minute intervals, stirring in between.