Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Chicken Chili Verde

When you need a crowd-pleasing meal that takes very little effort and is truly dump-and-go, this gluten-free slow cooker chicken chili verde will be your go-to recipe. It can easily be served over rice, inside warm tortillas, or topped over a plate of crispy nachos. This recipe requires zero work; it’s truly dump-and-go!

We recently got a new Trader Joe’s in town, and I’ve slowly been working through trying out several different meals from there. The latest was this delicious chicken chili verde; all the ingredients I needed, I picked up right at Trader Joe’s. They even have some great frozen rice that you can heat and serve this with. That delicious tomatillo sauce gives the chicken new life and flavor!

Table of contents

• What is Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Chicken Chili Verde?
• Why You’ll Love this Recipe
• Ingredient Notes
• How to Make Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Chicken Chili Verde
• Gluten-Free Tips
• Tips for the Best Chicken Chili Verde
• Variations and Substitutions
• Frequently Asked Questions
• What to Serve with Chicken Chili Verde
• Storage Tips
• More Slow Cooker Recipes:

What is Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Chicken Chili Verde?

Gluten-free slow cooker chicken chile verde is a wholesome, Mexican-inspired stew made with tender shredded chicken, tangy tomatillo sauce, bell peppers, onions, and cream cheese. This meal is cooked low and slow to develop those rich flavors and is naturally gluten-free too. This meal is effortless, budget-friendly, and loved by all!

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

• True dump and go recipe!
• Naturally gluten-free.
• Versatile to serve in a variety of ways.
• Budget-friendly, all items found at Trader Joe’s.

Ingredient Notes

• Chicken Thighs – Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs work best for this recipe, as they stay juicy during the low-and-slow cooking process. Chicken breasts will work too; however, they can come out drier than chicken thighs.
• Frozen Bell Peppers with Onions – Use any frozen bell peppers and onions, or you can also use freshly chopped bell peppers and onions if preferred.
• Salsa Verde – Salsa Verde is naturally gluten-free; however, ALWAYS check all ingredients because some canned sauces use flour as a thickener.
• Cream Cheese – Added at the end of the recipe to make the chicken creamy.
• Cayenne Pepper – Salsa Verde is very mild; if you prefer spicy, add cayenne pepper to taste before serving.
• Monterey Jack Cheese – Used to top over the chicken before serving.

How to Make Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Chicken Chili Verde

1. Using a 6-quart slow cooker, place the chicken thighs on the bottom.
2. Top with frozen peppers and onion.
3. Evenly pour the entire jar of salsa verde over the chicken and vegetables.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
5. After 6 hours, carefully use 2 forks to shred the chicken.
6. Stir in softened cream cheese.
7. Cover and set to WARM for 30 minutes until the cream cheese has melted.
8. Add cayenne pepper for additional spice if preferred before serving.
9. We serve ours over cooked rice with Monterey Jack Cheese.

Gluten-Free Tips

Always be sure to check all ingredients to be sure there is no cross-contamination. All manufacturers can change ingredients at any time, so it is highly important to check the labels; even if you are used to them being gluten-free in the past, they can change without notice.

Tips for the Best Chicken Chili Verde

• Add the cream cheese at the very end of the cooking time, then give it about 30 minutes to melt throughout the chicken. Be sure to start with softened cream cheese.
• Shred the chicken, then immediately mix it into the juices to restore the tender texture.
• For extra flavor, add in cayenne pepper or even a little squeeze of lime juice.

Variations and Substitutions

Make it Spicy – Add jalapeños, red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper.

Swap the Protein – Use pork shoulder instead of chicken for the recipe.

Add Beans – Stir in white cannellini beans or great northern beans when the cream cheese is added.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is naturally gluten-free; however, as always, labels change at any time without notice. Always check the label before choosing this product. Some canned salsa verde adds flour to thicken it.

This can easily be prepped and added to the slow cooker the night before; place the entire prepped slow cooker pot in the fridge until ready to start cooking.

This is a very mild and kid-friendly recipe and spice level. Be sure to adjust as needed if you prefer spicy.

Boneless, skinless chicken breast can be used; however, they are drier than chicken thighs. We like to use chicken thighs because they are tender and juicy.

What to Serve with Chicken Chili Verde

Pressure Cooker Rice

Cilantro Lime Rice

Gluten-Free Tortilla Chips

Corn Tortillas

Classic Toppings – Such as shredded cheese, sour cream, and avocado.

Storage Tips

Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When ready to heat, place on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 1 to 2 minutes until warm.

This gluten-free slow cooker chicken chili verde is the perfect choice on a busy weeknight. It’s a dump-and-go recipe that you’ll be able to make time and time again and serve in a variety of ways!

More Slow Cooker Recipes:

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• 20 Easy Quick Chili Recipes (Gluten-Free Options!)

• Easy Fall Dump-and-Go Slow Cooker Recipes