Pour bottled lemon vinaigrette and these 4 ingredients over chicken breasts into a slow cooker for a comforting weeknight meal you’ll crave over and over

This slow cooker 5-ingredient lemon vinaigrette chicken is one of those comforting weeknight meals you can throw together in minutes and let gently cook while you handle the rest of your day. You simply pour bottled lemon vinaigrette and four pantry-friendly ingredients over boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the slow cooker, then walk away. The dressing does all the work, turning into a bright, savory sauce that keeps the chicken tender and family-friendly. It’s the kind of simple, cozy recipe that fits right into a busy Midwestern weeknight but still feels special enough to share.

Serve this lemon vinaigrette chicken over fluffy white or brown rice, mashed potatoes, or buttered egg noodles so they can soak up all that tangy, savory sauce. Add a simple green side like steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or a tossed salad to round out the plate. Warm dinner rolls or crusty bread are great for sopping up every last bit of the juices. For a lighter option, slice the chicken and spoon it, along with some of the vinaigrette sauce, over mixed greens or quinoa for a hearty salad-style dinner.

Servings: 4

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Place the raw boneless, skinless chicken breasts in an even layer on the bottom of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. If the pieces are very thick, you can lightly pound them to an even thickness so they cook more evenly.

In a small bowl or measuring cup, add the bottled lemon vinaigrette, garlic powder, dried Italian seasoning, and kosher salt. Stir or whisk until the seasonings are well combined with the dressing.

Pour the seasoned bottled lemon vinaigrette mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker, making sure all the chicken is coated. Use the back of a spoon to nudge the chicken so some of the vinaigrette runs underneath as well.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours, or on HIGH for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The exact time will depend on your slow cooker and the thickness of the chicken.

Once cooked, taste the sauce and add a pinch more salt if needed. For serving, you can leave the chicken breasts whole, or transfer them to a cutting board and slice or shred them, then return the meat to the slow cooker and toss in the lemon vinaigrette sauce.

Serve the chicken with plenty of the warm lemon vinaigrette sauce spooned over the top. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days, reheating gently so the chicken stays tender.

For picky eaters, you can dial back the tang by stirring in a tablespoon or two of honey or brown sugar into the vinaigrette before pouring it over the chicken; this softens the lemony bite and makes the sauce taste a bit sweeter. If your family loves a creamier sauce, stir 1/4 to 1/3 cup of heavy cream or plain Greek yogurt into the hot cooking liquid at the end (off the heat) until smooth. To add veggies right to the pot, tuck baby carrots or thick-sliced onions under the chicken before pouring on the vinaigrette; just be sure not to overfill the slow cooker more than about two-thirds full. You can also swap the dried Italian seasoning for dried dill or thyme if that’s what you have on hand. For extra brightness, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the finished dish. FOOD SAFETY TIPS: Always start with fully thawed chicken; cooking from frozen in a slow cooker is not recommended because it can keep the chicken in the temperature “danger zone” too long. Use a food thermometer to confirm the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part before serving. Avoid lifting the lid too often during cooking, as this can lower the temperature and increase cook time. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking in shallow containers so they cool quickly, and reheat only once to at least 165°F before eating.