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Home » Recipes » Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Salsa Chicken

Published: Sep 11, 2021 · Modified: Mar 10, 2023 by Ginny · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Pumpkin Salsa Chicken recipe is the perfect recipe for fall. This pumpkin slow cooker chicken is loaded with flavor, and a hands-off cooking approach. A simple slow cooker chicken recipe the whole family can enjoy.

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Salsa Chicken is a hearty meal that can't be any easier to make. Virtually dump-and-go, this phenomenal chicken recipe is perfect for meal peppers.
Contents hide
1 🥘 Why This Recipe Works
2 🎃 Ingredients
3 🍽️ Instructions
4 🍴 Storage
5 📌 Expert Tips
6 Serving Suggestions
7 Recipe FAQs
8 Related Recipes
9 Slow Cooker Pumpkin Salsa Chicken

We made a batch of Pumpkin Salsa (included below) and it is so delish. You will want to keep eating it and not share! I pinky swear. So my husband said, “You should make this in the crockpot with the chicken” and I thought he was a GENIUS! 

So yes, this is a two step recipe! You will have to make the salsa…schucks 😏…to make the Crockpot Pumpkin Salsa Chicken! You’ll be so happy you did though! This is such a simple dump and go recipe! It melts in your mouth! 

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🥘 Why This Recipe Works

Variation to Classic Salsa Chicken – This is a variation of the old fashioned Crockpot Salsa Chicken that we have all made at one time or another! If you haven’t made it, give it a try. It only uses a couple of ingredients, but it is a delicious meal that is all made in the magic of the crockpot! 

Pumpkin Salsa Recipe – If you love pumpkin salsa and don’t know what do use it with, here is an out of the box recipe!

Set It And Forget It – Slow cooker meals are awesome for tossing ingredients in, placing lid on, and walking away. This is a great dinner idea for a busy weeknight when you know you won’t have time to cook.

🎃 Ingredients

ingredient photo showing labels of everything required.
Fun Ingredients

Chicken – I used some chicken breasts that I got on sale, but any cut of chicken will work.

Pumpkin Purée – Make sure not to mix this up with Pumpkin Pie filling. The cans look very similar. Just sayin’!

Corn Salsa – You can make this yourself, but I love the variety from Stonewall. So Yummy!

🍽️ Instructions 

three process photos showing adding the salsa to the crockpot, then the chicken and then topping.
Three Easy Steps!

Step One: Make the Pumpkin Salsa in recipe card below. 

Step Two: Spray the crockpot with non-stick spray and add a layer of the salsa. 

Step Three: Place chicken breasts or thighs in next.

Note: You have a choice to either pan fry the breasts first or you can simply dump and go! I like the crispy breasts but that is personal preference! If you pan fry them first, you can decrease the cooking time to 4-5 hours as they are partially cooked already!

Step Four: Top with the Pumpkin Salsa and turn on high for 2-3 hours or on low 6-7 hours.

🍴 Storage

If you happen to have leftovers, you can store in the fridge for around three days. Reheat in the microwave, or in the oven in a covered dish. This is a great leftover, as it has tasty flavors in each bite.

You can freeze this chicken as well. Store in a freezer friendly container for up to three months.

📌 Expert Tips

  • Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your chicken. You want it to read 165 degrees internally.
  • Make sure to not overcook the chicken as it can become dry.
  • Use boneless or bone-in chicken. Just alter the cooking time as you need.
  • Homemade pumpkin salsa or store bought works great for this recipe. As you can see we made our own for this chicken. To save prep, buy jarred and toss in.

Serving Suggestions

Traditional sides like Mashed Rutabagas, mashed potatoes or even Cilantro Lime Rice round out the meal with or without an extra veggie.

Make a nice dessert to go with this! We love easy Air Fryer Pumpkin Muffins or the Pumpkin Delight. Both of them are easy to make and yet so delicious!

Recipe FAQs

Can you cook frozen chicken in the slow cooker?

USDA recommends not putting frozen chicken in the slow cooker, as it will stay at an unsafe temperature for too long while it thaws out before it begins cooking. Some people love using frozen meat in the slow cooker, and run the risk.

What is pumpkin salsa?

Pumpkin salsa is where you have pumpkin purée that is paired with corn, tomatoes, garlic, green chilis and more. It is a flavorful salsa that is really delicious.

Can I make this chicken in then oven?

Want to bake the chicken instead of a crockpot chicken? Go ahead and place the chicken in a greased pan, and pour the ingredients on top. We also top it with a little bit of cheese right before it comes out and it is fabulous.
Cover and bake in the oven for 40 minutes, then check and finish cooking until the chicken reaches 165 degrees.

Related Recipes

  • This pumpkin delight dessert recipe is an easy fall baking recipe to get in the fall spirit! This indulgent layered pumpkin dessert is sometimes also called a pumpkin lush dessert or a pumpkin lasagna dessert. It's an easy almost-no-bake dessert (just the crust is baked) that is super easy to make for a crowd!
    Pumpkin Delight Dessert
  • Stacks of pumpkin pizza slices with fresh arugula.
    Savory Pumpkin Pizza
  • Vitamix Pumpkin Soup in a bowl with crunchy croutons on top
    Foolproof Vitamix Pumpkin Soup Recipe
  • pumpkin cut in half after being in the Instant Po.t
    How to Make Pumpkin Purée {Instant Pot + Slow Cooker + Steam}
Close of up slow cooked pumpkin salsa chicken held with kitchen tongs.

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Salsa Chicken

Easy to prepare to make a busy fall evening stress free! This Chunky Pumpkin Salsa Chicken is a take off of the traditional Salsa Chicken but with twist! {WW 2 Purple, 2 Blue, 3 Green, Gluten Free}
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main, Main Course, Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Slow Cooker Time: 6 hours hours
Total Time: 6 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 181kcal
Author: Ginny

Ingredients

Slow Cooker Chunky Pumpkin Salsa Chicken

  • 1 can Pumpkin Purée
  • 2 cans diced tomatoes
  • ½ jar Stonewall Kitchen Spicy Corn Relish any store bought corn relish/salsa will do
  • 2 Roasted Garlic Cloves
  • 1 Onion
  • 1 can Green Chilis chopped
  • 4 Chicken Breasts

Instructions

Chunky Pumpkin Salsa

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cut the top off of a head of garlic, drizzle or spray with olive oil and wrap in a piece of foil. Place on sheet pan. Cut onion into quarters and drizzle or spray with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast these both on the same sheet pan for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Allow it to cool.
  • Combine the pumpkin purée, canned tomatoes, and sugar into a food processor. Add 2-3 roasted garlic cloves, to taste. Pulse a couple of times and STIR in chilis and corn salsa.
  • The pumpkin salsa is ready to use on the slow cooker recipe or to serve at pumpkin carving party.

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Salsa Chicken

  • Spray non stick inside the slow cooker and add a layer of the pumpkin salsa.
  • Add the chicken breasts.
  • Add more Chunky Pumpkin Salsa on top of the chicken. Turn on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
  • Serve as a stand alone chicken, over a bed of rice to make a burrito bowl or inside tortillas with avocado, cheese and sour cream.

Notes

Corn Relish/Salsa – You can find Stonewall Kitchen’s Corn Salsa in the specialty section of your grocery store. Any corn salsa will work. I’ve found it even at Walmart, Lidl and Trader Joe’s. 
DIY Corn Salsa – If you can’t find either, mix your favorite jar of salsa with corn and mix. Then add amount of a half of a jar. You are looking for all the seasonings that are already blended and cured in a salsa to star the recipe! 
Oven Version – Go ahead and place the chicken in a greased pan, and pour the ingredients on top. We also top it with a little bit of cheese right before it comes out and it is fabulous. Cover and bake in the oven for 40 minutes, then check and finish cooking until the chicken reaches 165 degrees.
Pan Fry Chicken First – You have a choice to either pan fry the breasts first or you can simply dump and go! I like the crispy breasts but that is personal preference! If you pan fry them first, you can decrease the cooking time to 4-5 hours as they are partially cooked already!
Frozen Chicken – USDA recommends not putting frozen chicken in the slow cooker, as it will stay at an unsafe temperature for too long as it is thawing out before it begins cooking. 
Storage – If you happen to have leftovers, you can store in the fridge for around 3 days. Then reheat in the microwave, or oven in a covered dish. This is a great dish leftover, as it has tasty flavors in each bite.
Freezer Friendly – Store in a sealed container in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1chicken breast | Calories: 181kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @savorandsavvy or tag #savorandsavvy!
Ginny
Ginny

Hi!

Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.

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About Ginny

Hi!

Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bindi U says

    December 10, 2023 at 8:14 pm

    5 stars
    Who knew pumpkin salsa would go so well with chicken! I had just enough pumpkin left over to make this for dinner and everyone loved it.

    Reply
5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Family Photo Hi! I'm Ginny and for over 30 years, I've been creating simple and easy recipes without sacrificing on taste for our family on the go. I can't wait to show you how to do the same for your family. Read More...

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