Toss chopped celery stalks over raw chicken breasts, together with 3 ingredients, into slow cooker for a comforting meal that's always a yes in my house

This slow cooker 5-ingredient celery chicken is one of those comforting, Depression-era style meals that stretches simple ingredients into something cozy and satisfying. You literally just lay raw chicken breasts in the slow cooker, toss chopped celery stalks over the top, add three pantry-friendly ingredients, and let it simmer away while you get on with your day. It’s the kind of humble, no-fuss recipe our grandparents would have appreciated—using what’s on hand, wasting nothing, and still getting a warm, family-pleasing dinner on the table.

I like to serve this tender celery chicken spooned over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or plain white rice so all that savory broth has something to soak into. A simple side of buttered peas, green beans, or a tossed salad rounds out the plate without much extra effort. If you have crusty bread or biscuits, they’re perfect for dipping into the juices. For a fuller spread on a Sunday, add a fruit salad or applesauce on the side for a little sweetness to balance the savory chicken.

Servings: 4

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Place the raw chicken breasts in a single layer on the bottom of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. If they overlap a little, that’s fine.

Wash and chop the celery stalks into bite-size pieces. Scatter the chopped celery evenly over the raw chicken breasts, just like you’re tossing them in from the cutting board.

In a small bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and seasoning blend until mostly smooth. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just well combined.

Pour the soup mixture evenly over the chicken and celery in the slow cooker, making sure most of the chicken is covered. Do not stir; just let the layers sit as they are.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on Low for 6–7 hours, or on High for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is very tender and easily shreds with a fork.

Once cooked, taste the sauce and add a pinch of salt and pepper if needed. You can leave the chicken breasts whole or shred them gently with two forks right in the slow cooker so the meat mixes with the celery and sauce.

Serve the celery chicken and plenty of sauce over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles while warm.

For picky eaters, you can chop the celery very small so it softens and almost melts into the sauce, making it less noticeable. If your family likes a creamier texture, stir in 2–4 tablespoons of cream cheese or sour cream at the end of cooking until smooth. For a bit more flavor without adding many ingredients, sprinkle in a pinch of garlic powder or dried thyme along with the seasoning blend. You can also swap the cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom or cream of celery if that’s what you have in the pantry. To stretch the meal for a larger family, add an extra half pound of chicken and a splash more broth, then serve over a generous base of rice or noodles. Leftovers reheat well and can be tucked into tortillas or served on toast for an easy next-day lunch.