Dump raw thick-cut bone-in pork chops in the crock and 4 other ingredients to get a meal so delicious your husband will be begging for more.

This 5-ingredient slow cooker father’s feast is the kind of set-it-and-forget-it meal that makes busy family nights feel special. You literally dump thick-cut bone-in pork chops into the crock, pour a simple, colorful sauce over the top, and let the slow cooker work its magic. The pork turns tender and flavorful, and the sweet-savory sauce feels like something you fussed over all afternoon, even though it comes together in minutes. It’s perfect for those evenings when you want to spoil your husband or partner with a hearty, comforting dinner without spending all day in the kitchen.

Serve these saucy pork chops over a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or steamed white rice to soak up every bit of that colorful gravy. Add a simple green side—like roasted green beans, a tossed salad, or steamed broccoli—for balance. Warm dinner rolls or crusty bread are great for swiping through the sauce. If you’re feeding kids, keep the sides familiar and fun: corn, peas, or carrot sticks all work well alongside this cozy, stick-to-your-ribs main dish.

Servings: 4

4 thick-cut bone-in pork chops (about 2–2 1/2 pounds total)

Place the raw thick-cut bone-in pork chops in a single layer on the bottom of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. It’s fine if they overlap just a little, but try to keep most of the meat touching the bottom for even cooking.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup, dry ranch dressing mix, chicken broth, and chunky salsa until you have a smooth, colorful sauce. You should see bits of tomato and veggies from the salsa throughout.

Pour the sauce evenly over the pork chops, making sure each chop is coated. Use a spoon to spread the sauce so it covers as much of the meat as possible. Do not add any extra water; the pork and sauce will create plenty of liquid as they cook.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours, or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the pork chops are very tender and reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C). Thicker chops may lean toward the longer end of the time range.

Once cooked, carefully lift the pork chops out with a wide spatula or tongs—they’ll be very tender—and place them on a serving platter. Stir the sauce in the slow cooker to smooth it out, then taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.

Spoon the creamy, colorful sauce generously over the pork chops and serve hot with your favorite sides. If the sauce seems a bit thin, you can remove the pork chops and let the sauce simmer on HIGH with the lid off for 10–15 minutes to thicken slightly before serving.

You can easily tweak this simple father’s feast to fit your family’s tastes. For a creamier, richer sauce, stir in 2–3 tablespoons of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt at the very end of cooking (off the heat so it doesn’t curdle). If your crew loves a little kick, use medium or hot salsa and add a pinch of red pepper flakes. For picky eaters, choose a mild salsa with smaller veggie pieces, or even blend the salsa before mixing it into the sauce for a smoother texture. You can also swap the cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom or cream of celery for a different flavor. If you need to stretch the meal, add 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms or a sliced onion right on top of the raw pork chops before pouring on the sauce. For a lighter option, use reduced-sodium soup and broth, and taste before adding any extra salt. Food safety tips: Always start with fully thawed pork chops; do not put frozen meat directly into the slow cooker, as it can stay too long in the temperature “danger zone.” Make sure the internal temperature of the pork reaches at least 145°F (63°C), measured with a meat thermometer at the thickest part away from the bone. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours in shallow containers, and reheat to at least 165°F (74°C) before serving again. If your slow cooker has a hot spot, rotate the chops halfway through cooking so they cook evenly.