There are some recipes that truly save the day… and my Slow Cooker Salsa Pulled Chicken is one of them. You toss a few ingredients into the slow cooker, walk away, and come back to juicy, flavorful pulled chicken that’s ready to star in countless meals. Tacos? Yes. Bowls? Absolutely. But for this recipe we’re going low-carb with crisp lettuce wraps.

Four lettuce wraps filled with shredded chicken and creamy sauce are arranged around a small bowl of dipping sauce on a white plate, garnished with lime wedges. A halved lime and limes are in the background.
Fresh, light, and finished with a dollop of crema and squeeze of lime juice.

I love this version because it feels light, yet completely satisfying. Each lettuce cup gets a scoop of saucy salsa chicken and a generous dollop of cool, zesty lime crema. The contrast of warm, savory chicken and crisp lettuce with that creamy citrus finish? It’s next-level delicious.

Slow Cooker Salsa Pulled Chicken

Zesty Lime Crema

A bowl of yogurt topped with lime zest, ground spices, and chili powder sits on a wooden surface with whole and sliced limes, a spoon, and a small bowl of honey nearby.
A bowl of creamy sauce on a wooden surface, surrounded by whole and halved limes, a spoon with sauce, and a small dish of honey with a honey dipper.

These lettuce wraps are naturally gluten-free and easily customizable with your favorite toppings like diced avocado, guacamole, fresh pico (or pickle!) de gallo, pickled jalapeños or red onion, coleslaw, or a sprinkle of cotija cheese. I love to finish mine with a drizzle of hot sauce and fresh cilantro for the ultimate flavor combination.

A plate of lettuce wraps filled with shredded chicken and topped with creamy sauce, served with a bowl of dipping sauce and lime halves on the side.

This is one of those dinners that looks impressive but couldn’t be easier. And if you’d like to skip the slow cooker—simply pick up a rotisserie chicken (or use leftover chicken), shred the meat with your fingers, and mix with your favorite salsa. 

Big flavor. Minimal effort. Total joy.

A hand holds a lettuce wrap filled with shredded spiced chicken and sauce. Other lettuce wraps, lime wedges, and a bowl of dipping sauce are on the table, with a bowl of whole limes in the background.
Each bite is saucy and hearty, yet super fresh and light!

Try my Tex-Mex Salad with Crispy Quinoa!

Three lettuce wraps filled with shredded chicken and creamy sauce sit on a plate next to a small bowl of dipping sauce. Fresh limes, some halved and some whole, are also on the plate and in the background.
(5 stars) 2 ratings

Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Zesty Lime Crema

Tender, saucy chicken served in crisp lettuce cups and topped with a citrusy yogurt sauce — a low-carb, protein-packed meal you'll turn to again and again.
Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Leave a Review

Ingredients
 

Salsa Pulled Chicken

  • 16 ounces salsa, about 2 cups, mild, medium, or hot
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1 heaping tablespoon taco seasoning

For Serving

  • 16–20 large butter lettuce, romaine, or iceberg leaves

Zesty Lime Crema

  • ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt, nonfat or low-fat
  • 1 tablespoon light mayo
  • Zest and juice of 1 lime
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Tiny drizzle honey, optional

Optional Toppers

  • Fresh chopped cilantro
  • Diced avocado
  • Thinly sliced red onion

Instructions
 

  • Slow cook the chicken: Add the chicken, salsa, and taco seasoning to a slow cooker. Toss gently to coat. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
  • Shred and season: Once the chicken is fully cooked and tender, shred it directly in the slow cooker using two forks. Stir until the juices are fully incorporated. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. You should have about 5 cups of shredded salsa chicken.
  • Make the lime crema: In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayo, lime zest, lime juice, paprika, garlic and salt until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust lime or salt if needed.
  • Assemble the lettuce wraps: Spoon ~⅓ cup pulled chicken into each lettuce leaf. Plan for 4 lettuce wraps per person (about 1 ¼ cups chicken per serving). Drizzle on ~1 tablespoon lime crema and add any optional toppings you love.
    Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

• Serving size: Makes 4 generous servings. Each serving includes 4–5 lettuce wraps (about 1¼ cups chicken total).
• Using rotisserie or leftover chicken: Remove and discard the skin, then pull the meat from the bones and shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces. Place the chicken in a bowl. For every 1 cup of chicken, start by mixing in ¼ cup salsa, then add more salsa a heaping tablespoon at a time until the mixture reaches your desired consistency.
• Storage: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The lime crema will keep for 3–4 days refrigerated. Store lettuce separately to keep it crisp.
• Meal prep tip: Make the salsa chicken at the start of the week and use it in lettuce wraps one night, tacos another, and over rice and beans later in the week. It’s a fantastic protein base.
• Make it gluten-free: Use a certified gluten-free taco seasoning and double-check your salsa label.
• Make it dairy-free: Swap the Greek yogurt for a dairy-free plain yogurt alternative.
• Spice it up: Use hot salsa, add chopped jalapeño, or sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes into the chicken before serving. You can also add a few shakes of hot sauce or pinch of cayenne and chili powder into your lime crema.
• You’re the boss of your salsa: Use your favorite brand — you can even swap in salsa verde for a tangier, zippier twist. Chunky adds texture, smooth coats everything evenly — both are delicious.
• Add more crunch: Shredded cabbage or finely chopped bell peppers add extra texture inside the wraps.
Author: Joy Bauer, MS, RDN, CDN

Nutrition Information per serving

Serving Size: 4 lettuce wraps each with a tablespoon of cremaCalories: 340Carbohydrates: 12gProtein: 55gTotal Fat: 7g— Unsaturated Fat: 5.5g— Saturated Fat: 1.5gCholesterol: 165mgSodium: 875mgPotassium: 1214mgFiber: 3gTotal Sugar: 6g— Natural Sugar: 6g— Added Sugar: 0gCalcium: 80mgIron: 1.9mg
Nutrition information is calculated using a leading industry software. That being said, brands can vary, and there may be slight fluctuations in the numbers.
I’m hoping you loved this recipe! If you made it and want to share feedback, I’d be so grateful to hear from you. Please leave a review below or tag @joybauer on Instagram!