My grandfather requests this cozy homestyle meal every Sunday. It only takes 4 ingredients and the thick savory broth is absolute perfection.

This slow cooker 4-ingredient Amish chicken and noodles is the kind of cozy, homestyle meal that keeps getting requested every Sunday. It comes straight from the way farm families in the Midwest have been stretching simple ingredients into stick-to-your-ribs comfort for generations. Just chicken, broth, a can of cream soup, and wide egg noodles melt together into a thick, savory gravy that clings to every ribbon of pasta. It’s the sort of dish my grandfather would ask for after church, when the house smelled like simmering chicken and you knew there’d be enough to fill everyone up without any fuss.

Serve this Amish chicken and noodles ladled into wide bowls, with a sprinkle of black pepper on top. It’s wonderful over a scoop of mashed potatoes if you like it extra hearty, or simply on its own with a side of buttered peas or green beans. Warm dinner rolls or thick slices of country bread are perfect for soaking up the rich, golden broth. A simple lettuce salad with a tangy dressing helps cut through the richness and rounds out the meal nicely.

Servings: 6

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, laying them in a single layer as much as possible.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and cream of chicken soup until mostly smooth. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker.

Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, or on HIGH for about 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is very tender and easily shreds with a fork.

Once the chicken is cooked, use two forks to shred it directly in the slow cooker, stirring it into the thickened broth and soup mixture. The liquid should look like a rich, creamy golden gravy.

Stir in the egg noodles, making sure they are mostly submerged in the broth so they can absorb the liquid and cook evenly.

Cover and continue cooking on HIGH for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the noodles are tender and the broth has thickened into a hearty, creamy sauce that clings to the chicken and noodles. If the mixture looks too thick for your liking, you can gently stir in a splash of hot water or extra warm broth.

Turn the slow cooker to WARM and let the chicken and noodles sit for 5 to 10 minutes to finish thickening. Give it a final stir, then taste and adjust with a little salt and pepper if needed before serving.

For a richer, more old-fashioned flavor, you can substitute one can of cream of chicken soup with cream of celery or cream of mushroom, though that will add another layer of flavor beyond the pure chicken taste. If you prefer dark meat, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs; they stay especially moist and shred beautifully. To mimic the taste of homemade Amish noodles, look for thick, ribbon-style egg noodles in the freezer section and add a few extra minutes of cook time if needed. If your slow cooker runs hot and the mixture gets too thick, stir in a bit more warm broth near the end until you reach your preferred consistency. For a slightly lighter version, use one can of cream of chicken soup and increase the broth by 1 cup, knowing it will be a bit less creamy but still comforting. You can also add a small knob of butter at the end for extra sheen and richness, just like farm cooks used to do. Leftovers reheat well on the stovetop over low heat; add a splash of broth or water to loosen the noodles and bring back that silky, spoon-coating texture.