This is the kind of recipe busy families lean on when the day gets away from them and dinner still needs to happen. With just frozen skinless chicken thighs, barbecue sauce, and a little Italian dressing mix, this slow cooker chicken turns into a tender, saucy main dish with sweet, tangy, savory flavor. It has that classic church-supper, back-porch, summer-storm comfort that makes it easy to see why simple slow cooker dinners like this stay popular in Midwestern kitchens.
Serve this chicken over mashed potatoes, rice, buttered noodles, or even on sandwich buns for an easy supper. It also goes nicely with corn on the cob, green beans, coleslaw, a simple cucumber salad, or baked beans if you want to round it out into a full warm-weather family meal.
3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Poor Man's Summer Thunderstorm Chicken
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 1/2 to 3 pounds frozen skinless chicken thighs
Directions
1. Place the frozen skinless chicken thighs in the bottom of a 5- to 7-quart slow cooker in an even layer.
2. Sprinkle the dry Italian dressing mix evenly over the chicken, then pour the barbecue sauce on top and spread it as evenly as you can.
3. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and very tender.
4. Gently shred the chicken with two forks right in the slow cooker if you like a pulled-chicken texture, or leave the thighs whole for serving. Stir to coat well in the sauce before serving.
Variations & Tips
For a sweeter version: Use a honey barbecue sauce if your family likes a milder, sweeter flavor. This is a nice option for picky eaters and it tastes especially good served on sandwich buns.
For a little heat: Choose a spicy barbecue sauce or stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes at the end. It gives the dish a gentle kick without changing how easy the recipe is.
For serving a crowd: Once cooked, shred the chicken and keep it warm in the slow cooker for sandwiches at potlucks, ball games, or casual family get-togethers. Set out buns, pickles, and coleslaw so everyone can build their own plate.
For the best texture: Chicken thighs stay juicy and forgiving in the slow cooker, which is why they work so well here. If your sauce seems a little thin after cooking, remove the lid for the last 20 to 30 minutes so it can thicken up a bit before serving.
