My grandma raised 6 kids on this budget-friendly dinner during hard times. Three ingredients and everyone fights for seconds

This slow cooker 3-ingredient poor man chicken and gravy noodles is exactly the kind of meal my Midwest grandma leaned on when she was raising six kids on a tight budget. It’s pure comfort food: tender shredded chicken in a thick, glossy brown gravy that soaks into soft egg noodles. Everything cooks right in the slow cooker, so you can toss it together before work and come home to a bubbling pot of cozy, stick-to-your-ribs dinner that everyone will fight over. No fancy ingredients, no extra steps—just simple, practical, and filling.

Serve these chicken and gravy noodles straight from the slow cooker into deep bowls, with plenty of that thick sauce spooned over the top. A simple green salad, steamed frozen peas, or buttered canned green beans keeps things true to its budget-friendly roots. If you want to stretch the meal even further, add a side of crusty bread, dinner rolls, or buttered toast to swipe through the extra gravy. Leftovers reheat well with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce, making this a great lunch the next day.

Servings: 6

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)

Lightly grease the inside of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick spray or a thin layer of oil for easier cleanup.

Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts) in an even layer on the bottom of the slow cooker.

Spoon the condensed cream of chicken soup directly over the chicken, spreading it out so the chicken is mostly covered. Do not add water; the chicken will release enough liquid to thin the soup into a thick gravy as it cooks.

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.

About 30 minutes before you want to eat, cook the egg noodles on the stovetop according to the package directions in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender (al dente). Drain well.

While the noodles cook, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker, stirring it into the thickened gravy until everything is well combined and glossy.

Add the hot, drained egg noodles to the slow cooker with the shredded chicken and gravy. Gently fold everything together until the noodles are fully coated in the sauce.

Cover and let the mixture sit in the slow cooker on WARM or LOW for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the noodles to absorb some of the gravy and the sauce to thicken slightly.

Taste and, if you’d like, season lightly with salt and black pepper (optional, not counted in the three ingredients), then serve the chicken and gravy noodles hot straight from the slow cooker.

To stay true to the three-ingredient spirit, this recipe is written as basic and budget-friendly as possible, but you can still tweak it to fit your family. For a richer flavor, use one can of cream of chicken and one can of cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup (this technically adds another ingredient, but it’s a nice change when you have it). If you prefer white meat, use chicken breasts instead of thighs, but thighs stay more tender and forgiving if you’re gone a little longer. You can also swap the egg noodles for any short pasta you have on hand, like rotini or shells, and cook them separately the same way. To stretch the meal, stir in a cup of frozen peas or mixed vegetables during the last 10 minutes on LOW (this adds another ingredient, but it’s a good trick when feeding extra mouths). For extra creaminess, stir in a splash of milk or a spoonful of sour cream right before serving. Food safety tips: Always start with fully thawed chicken; do not cook frozen chicken in the slow cooker, as it can stay too long in the temperature danger zone (40°F–140°F). Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F before serving. Keep the slow cooker covered while cooking to maintain a safe temperature. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours in shallow containers, and reheat thoroughly until steaming hot before eating, adding a little water to loosen the sauce if needed.