My dad grew up on this simple creamy chicken and now I make it for my family every Sunday. Pure comfort in a bowl

This slow cooker 3-ingredient poor man creamed chicken is the kind of humble, hand-me-down recipe that quietly becomes a family ritual. My dad grew up on a version of this in a small Midwestern town, where Sunday dinner needed to be filling, inexpensive, and hands-off. It’s nothing fancy—just tender shredded chicken in a thick, velvety cream sauce with soft golden edges—but it’s pure comfort in a bowl. I’ve adapted his stovetop method to the slow cooker so it can simmer all afternoon while you go about your day, then you lift the lid to a steamy, creamy pot of nostalgia that’s ready to ladle over whatever starch you have on hand.

Serve this creamed chicken generously spooned over fluffy mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or hot white rice so the rich sauce can soak in. Buttered toast or biscuits are classic if you want to echo its Depression-era roots. A simple side of steamed green beans, peas, or a crisp green salad helps balance the richness, and a sprinkle of black pepper or chopped fresh parsley on top adds a nice finishing touch.

Servings: 6

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)

Lightly grease the inside of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with a bit of oil or nonstick spray to help prevent sticking around the edges.

Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts) in an even layer on the bottom of the slow cooker. It’s fine if they overlap slightly.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup and the milk (or water) until smooth and uniform. If using, stir in the salt and black pepper.

Pour the soup mixture evenly over the chicken, making sure all of the pieces are coated and mostly submerged in the creamy base.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours, or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is very tender and easily shreds with a fork. Avoid lifting the lid frequently, as that releases heat and can lengthen the cooking time.

Once the chicken is cooked through, use two forks directly in the slow cooker to shred it into bite-size pieces. Stir well so the shredded chicken is suspended in the thick, velvety cream sauce.

If the sauce seems a bit thin right after shredding, leave the lid slightly ajar and cook on HIGH for another 15 to 20 minutes, stirring once or twice, until it thickens to a rich, spoon-coating consistency.

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve the hot creamed chicken straight from the slow cooker, ladled over mashed potatoes, noodles, rice, toast, or biscuits.

For an ultra-budget version truer to the “poor man” roots, use water instead of milk and chicken thighs instead of breasts; thighs stay more forgiving and flavorful during long cooking. If you prefer a richer, almost gravy-like sauce, use evaporated milk or half-and-half in place of the milk and add a tablespoon of butter when you shred the chicken. To stretch the dish for a larger family, stir in up to 1 additional can of condensed cream of chicken soup plus 1/2 to 1 cup more liquid and an extra 1 pound of chicken; check seasoning again before serving. For a bit of color and nostalgia, fold in 1 to 2 cups of thawed frozen peas and carrots during the last 20 to 30 minutes of cooking, just long enough to heat through without getting mushy. If you’d like a touch of herbiness without complicating things, add 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or poultry seasoning to the soup mixture before pouring it over the chicken. Food safety tips: Always start with fully thawed chicken; cooking from frozen in a slow cooker can keep the meat in the temperature “danger zone” (40°F to 140°F) too long. Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F before shredding. Once cooked, don’t leave the creamed chicken at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if your kitchen is very warm); cool leftovers quickly and refrigerate in shallow containers. Reheat leftovers gently on the stove or in the microwave until steaming hot throughout, adding a splash of milk or water if the sauce has thickened too much.