My husband begs for these creamy little pockets of joy every weekend. With only 3 ingredients you just wrap them up and walk away. Dinner could not be easier.

This little slow cooker supper reminds me of the kind of church potlucks I grew up with here in the Midwest—creamy, comforting, and not a bit fussy. These 3‑ingredient spinach dip chicken packets are exactly the sort of thing I make when my husband starts hinting on Friday that he’s “in the mood for those creamy little pockets of joy” again. You tuck seasoned chicken and ready-made spinach dip into foil, seal them up, sprinkle a little cheese on top, and let the slow cooker do the rest. It feels like the old-fashioned foil packet dinners we used to make over a campfire, only this time you just wrap them up and walk away while the house fills with the coziest smell.

These packets are rich and creamy, so I like to keep the sides simple and homey: buttered egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or plain white rice to soak up the extra sauce. A side of steamed green beans, peas, or a basic tossed salad balances the richness nicely. Warm dinner rolls or a slice of crusty bread are perfect for mopping up every last bit from inside the foil. If you’re feeding a crowd, set the slow cooker on warm and let folks lift out their own little packet, then offer bowls of noodles or rice on the side.

Servings: 4

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds total)

Lay out 4 large pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil, each about 12x12 inches. If using regular foil, double-layer each piece so the packets don’t tear in the slow cooker.

Place one chicken breast in the center of each piece of foil. If the chicken breasts are very thick, lightly pound them to an even thickness so they cook more evenly, but keep them in one solid piece.

Spoon 1/2 cup of the prepared spinach dip directly on top of each chicken breast, spreading it gently to cover most of the surface. Try to keep the dip mounded on top so it doesn’t run out when wrapping.

Bring the long sides of the foil up and over the chicken and spinach dip, then fold them together tightly several times to seal. Fold up the short ends to make a snug, well-sealed packet so the creamy filling stays inside.

Set the foil packets seam-side up in a single layer in the bottom of your slow cooker. They can touch and fit snugly, but avoid stacking if possible so they cook evenly.

Sprinkle a small pinch of the grated Parmesan cheese over the top of each foil packet. This won’t melt directly onto the chicken, but it gives a lovely aroma and a hint of cheesy flavor as it warms on the foil.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook the packets on LOW for 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your chicken and the heat of your slow cooker.

When ready to serve, carefully lift the hot foil packets out of the slow cooker with tongs. Open each packet slowly, facing it away from you to avoid the rush of hot steam.

Serve each chicken breast right in its foil packet or transfer to plates, spooning the creamy spinach sauce from inside the foil over the top of the chicken. Garnish with a little extra Parmesan, if you like.

If you like darker meat, you can swap the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs; they stay very moist and are more forgiving if they cook a bit longer. For smaller appetites or a potluck, cut the chicken breasts in half and make 6–8 mini packets instead of 4 large ones. If your spinach dip is on the thinner side, stir in an extra spoonful of grated Parmesan before adding it to the chicken to keep it from getting too runny. You can also use artichoke spinach dip or a lightened-up Greek yogurt-based spinach dip for a different flavor or to trim the richness a bit. If you miss a little seasoning, sprinkle the chicken lightly with salt, pepper, or garlic powder before adding the dip—just remember most store-bought dips are already seasoned. For a slightly browned top, open the cooked packets, transfer the chicken and sauce to an oven-safe dish, sprinkle with extra Parmesan, and broil for a few minutes before serving. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for a couple of days; remove from the foil and reheat gently in a covered dish so the sauce doesn’t dry out.