Slow Cooker Chicken Rotel
Dinner doesn’t get easier than this Crockpot Chicken Rotel! This dump-and-go recipe is cheesy, full of flavor, and perfect for your comfort food cravings.
I have made Rotel Chicken more times than I can count (in a skillet, as a soup, and in the slow cooker), and the results are always the same… Tender, flavorful, comforting, and oh-so delicious. This is the kind of dependable recipe you can walk away from in the morning, knowing you will have a super tasty dinner ready in hours. You can’t beat a tried-and-true recipe that only requires six ingredients and one crock pot!
Love easy slow cooker recipes? Try our Crockpot Crack Chicken, this Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken for meal prep, or the super flavorful Mississippi Chicken.
Why you will love this crockpot chicken recipe:
- Super Easy – You only need six common ingredients and a slow cooker for this recipe! There are no complicated techniques or time-consuming steps. This is perfectly fine for beginner cooks and busy families.
- Keto-Friendly – This comforting meal fits well into many low-carb and keto meal plans as it is high in fat and protein while staying low in carbs. Each serving has under 5 net carbs.
- Very Versatile – While this is delicious enough I can eat it with a spoon, it also makes great wraps, tacos, chaffle bowls, and lettuce wraps.
Chicken Rotel Ingredients
Here is a quick overview of what you will need for this recipe. Scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for exact measurements.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts – Feel free to use chicken thighs or tenderloins if you prefer!
- Taco Seasoning and Canned Rotel – Use a packet or homemade taco seasoning, whatever works best for you. The canned rotel is diced tomatoes with chilis. If you like spicy food, feel free to double this and/or use the hot version.
- Heavy Whipping Cream and Cream Cheese – Full fat options give you the creamiest texture, but you can use low-fat cream cheese if you prefer. I have not tried this with any dairy-free substitutes.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese – You could swap this for pepper jack, colby jack, or a blend if you want a slightly different flavor.
How to Make Chicken Rotel in the Crock Pot
This super easy weeknight dinner is so simple, and you just need a slow cooker for it. Here’s a step-by-step guide so you can make it perfectly every time!
Cook the chicken
Grease the bottom of your slow cooker, then add in your chicken, taco seasoning, heavy cream, cream cheese, and canned tomatoes with chilis. Cook on low for about 8 hours or on high up to 4 hours.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Every slow cooker is different, and yours might cook faster or slower than mine. It is important to check on your chicken occasionally. When the chicken reaches 165 degrees F as measured with a meat thermometer, you can move on to the next step.
Shred the chicken & make the sauce cheesy
Once the chicken is cooked through to 165 degrees F, remove it from the slow cooker. Shred it (using two forks, a mixer, or whatever you prefer). While the chicken is out of the crock pot, sprinkle in half of the shredded cheese. Whisk the sauce together until it’s nice and smooth. Add your chicken back into the crockpot, tossing it to coat each bite in the creamy sauce. Top with the rest of the cheese and put the lid back on until melted (usually about 10-15 minutes).
What to Serve with Chicken Rotel
We enjoy this garnished with extra cheese and chopped green onions. Serve with Mexican Cornbread, Keto Biscuits, or these Jalapeno Cheddar Waffles. A simple vegetable side like Chipotle Potatoes or Zucchini Fritters can help round out the meal. Alternatively, you could use this to stuff baked potatoes, serve it with crispy gnocchi, or make a chaffle sandwich with it.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Allow the chicken to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply microwave at 50% power in 1-minute increments until warmed through, stirring between blasts for even heating.
More Comfort Food Recipes
Get the Recipe: Chicken Rotel Recipe (Crock Pot)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breast, 3-4 large chicken breasts
- 1 1-ounce package taco seasoning, or homemade
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 10-ounce can Rotel, (canned tomatoes with green chiles)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Equipment
Instructions
- Place the chicken in the base of a greased slow cooker.
- Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the chicken.
- Add the heavy cream, creamy cheese and canned tomatoes to the slow cooker.
- Cook on low up to 8 hours or on high up to 4 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred.
- While the chicken is out of the slow cooker add one cup of shredded cheese and whisk the sauce together until smooth.
- Add the chicken back to the slow cooker, toss to coat and top with the remaining cheese. Cover until melted.
Notes
- Important Slow Cooker Note: Not all slow cookers are created equal! I have one that simmers gently on low and another that actually boils. If yours runs on the hotter side, you’ll want to shorten the cooking time a bit to avoid overcooking the chicken.
- If you enjoy spicy food you can use two cans of Rotel.
- Net carbs per serving: 4.6
