Sweet Salsa Chicken is a stable in my home. The convenience of this recipes is perfect.
It’s perfect for weekday night meals and perfect for feeding a crowd. It looks and smells delicious and beyond that the Sweet Salsa Chicken Salad does not disappoint either.
Everyone always asks for the recipe. It’s so simple is crazy!
Sweet Salsa Chicken Salad can be made with shredded chicken made in the Crock Pot, Instant Pot, or (hint) even canned chicken breast. EEK! Yes, I did just say that!
But truly, sometime life gets in the way and even the simplest of recipes need a quick tip here and there. Making Sweet Salsa Chicken is also wonderful in Quesadillas or in Burritos.
It’s truly one of those recipes that can be used so many ways.
Quick Tips
Start some Savory Rice or Cilantro Lime Rice when you begin to make Sweet Salsa Chicken. Then your dinner will be ready all at once!
Step by Step Entire Meal Instructions
and full video tutorial
- Place chicken breasts in Instant Pot, salt and pepper to taste, add garlic and 1 cup of liquid (chicken broth or water) . Cook on Manual for 18-22 minutes.
- Cook rice in a rice cooker or on the stove top (see stop top method here). Rice takes time to cook, by starting this now, everything will be done at about the same time.
- Slice vegetables. Cut up Bell Peppers and Onions and saute’ in a few tablespoons of butter of medium/high heat until desired doneness.
- Prepare your serving dishes. Sweet Salsa Chicken is great it Sour Cream, Salsa, Cheese, Guacamole, Tortilla Chips, Salad, Dressing and more!
- Remove Chicken from Instant Pot when done and shred. Mix Sweet Salsa (See 2 ingredient recipe below) into shredded chicken and serve Sweet Salsa Chicken Salad. Enjoy!
Sweet Salsa Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Shredded Chicken
- 3 Cups Shredded Chicken - *about 3 medium size chicken breasts.
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 Tablespoon Crushed Garlic
- 1 Cup Water or Chicken Broth - *for Instant Pot
Sweet Salsa
- 1 Cup Salsa - *Use your favorite Salsa
- 1 Cup Brown Sugar - *Use less Brown Sugar for less sweetness
Vegetables
- 1 Red Bell Pepper - Sliced Thin
- 1 Yellow Bell Pepper - Sliced Thin
- 1 Orange Bell Pepper - Sliced Thin
- 1 Sweet Onion - Sliced Thin
- 2-3 Tablespoons Butter
Zesty Tangy Dressing
- ½ Cup Ranch Dressing
- ½ Cup Zesty Italian Dressing
Extras for Salad
- 1 Head Iceburg Lettuce - Washed and chopped
- 1 Head Romaine OR Green Leaf Lettuce - Washed and Chopped
- 1 Cup Cheese - Shredded
- ½ Cup Sour Cream
- ½ Cup Salsa
- 1 Bag Tortilla Chips
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts into Instant Pot with Salt and Pepper and Garlic. Add 1 cup liquid (chicken broth or water) and sett to manual for 18-22 minutes. Allow to natural release for 5 minutes and quick release the remaining. Shred cooked chicken.
- In a separate bowl mix Salsa and Brown Sugar for the Sweet Salsa. Using less brown sugar will make the Sweet Salsa Chicken less sweet.
- Wash and slice vegetables. Saute over medium/high heat with butter until desired doneness.
- Wash and cut Lettuce and toss in a bowl. Prepare smaller bowls with extras for salad (cheese, sour cream, regular salsa, guacamole, etc)
- Mix sweet Salsa with Shredded Chicken when chicken has completed cooking.
- Serve Salad, layering with Lettuce, Sweet Salsa Chicken, Sautéed Vegetables, Cheese, Sour Cream, etc and top with Chips. Enjoy!
Nutrition Disclaimer
All nutrition values are approximate and calculated by a plugin and are provided as a courtesy. Adding or subtracting ingredients will change the nutritional value.
Lyn
I have made this before and it was delicious! Can you do it with frozen chicken as well? Do you need to change the time on the instant pot?
Devour Dinner
Hi Lyn, the great thing about the pressure cooker is you can use frozen meat. If you choose to use frozen chicken make sure that it's not one solid block frozen but individual chicken breasts or chicken tenders. It will take longer to come to pressure but the cooking time would be the same.
Jennifer
These look so delicious! I love the twist a a traditional dish.
Sarah
Salsa chicken is one of my favorite meals, but I'd never thought of incorporating Italian dressing. Looking forward to giving this recipe a try!
Nicole
Yum! These look amazing!
Kristi Ann
This sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing, I'll definitely give it a try!
Deborah
Yumm! This looks delicious!
Kelly Moyer
Yummy, I am doing this Sweet Salsa Chicken Salad. 🙂
Tina Tuszynski
This sounds simple and delicious! I'll bet this would be fabulous on nachos too!
Devour Dinner
YES! Sweet Salsa Chicken is great on Nacho's or Quesadillas, in Burritos and more! It's just simply a great recipe.
micky
My husband would LOVE this! Going to try it soon - thanks!
Heidi
This looks very delicious!
Vessy
Wooow! This really looks fantastic...such a unique combination! I actually would love to give this a try! I am pinning it so I can find it easily when I am ready to start cooking! 😃👍🏻
Devour Dinner
Hi Vessy, it sure is a fun combination of flavors. A recipe you will come back to over and over for sure!
Ina @ Crafty For Home
It is a delicious recipe, quick and easy, and everyone will love this meal.
Devour Dinner
I love how quick and easy this recipe is, and that everyone just loves this meal! Perfect combination. Hope you enjoy it too!
Laura G
I love your photography and this made me really hungry! Beautiful, beautiful page!!
Devour Dinner
Thank you Larua. I love taking photos and making mouths water. haha... The recipe tastes better than it looks too! 😉
Trelva Schuck
The video made me realize that I really can prepare this in half an hour. Wonderful. I liked all the helpful tips. I am using canned chicken just to make it a little easier. 🙂
Devour Dinner
Oh yes! Canned Chicken Breast also works too! This is a quick and easy recipe, but will make you feel super accomplished for making such a great recipe! Enjoy!
gail
Yummm, I would totally make nachos!! So good!
Devour Dinner
Ooh yes! Sweet Salsa Chicken is excellent on Nachos! One of my son's favorites.
Ashley Reese
What a unique blend of flavors! This looks delicious!
Devour Dinner
It's crazy how simple it is and how delicious it tastes.
Pam
This looks scrumptious! Going on my meal rotation!
Katy
This looks like a great weeknight dinner! Thank you for the printable recipe card!
Devour Dinner
You are sure welcome....be sure to watch the step by step video tutorial or extra tips and tricks of pulling off this meal quickly!