This simple slow cooker supper is the kind of practical, budget-minded meal that earns a permanent place in a busy cook’s rotation. Using just four main ingredients, it turns inexpensive chicken drumsticks and summer squash into a tender, savory dinner with very little hands-on work. The “yard sale supper” spirit fits the late-summer feeling well: humble ingredients, easy preparation, and the sort of hearty meal that feels right after a long August day.
Serve this with hot cooked rice, buttered egg noodles, or mashed potatoes to catch the savory juices from the slow cooker. A side of green beans, sliced tomatoes, or a crisp cucumber salad adds freshness, while warm cornbread or simple dinner rolls make the meal feel especially generous.
4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Poor Man's August Yard Sale Supper
Servings: 4 to 6
Ingredients
8 raw skinless chicken drumsticks
Directions
1. Lightly coat the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray or a thin film of oil if desired for easier cleanup. Spread the sliced yellow squash across the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. Arrange the raw skinless chicken drumsticks on top of the squash in a fairly even layer.
3. Spoon the condensed cream of chicken soup over the drumsticks, then sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly across the top.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender and the squash is soft. If you like, gently spoon some of the cooking sauce over the drumsticks once or twice during the last hour.
5. Serve the chicken and squash hot with plenty of the sauce spooned over the top.
Variations & Tips
Add pepper and herbs: Even in a four-ingredient recipe, a little black pepper, dried thyme, or parsley can round out the flavor nicely. These pantry additions are optional, but they make the finished sauce taste more developed.
For a thicker sauce: If the dish seems a bit loose at the end of cooking, remove the lid for the last 20 to 30 minutes on HIGH so some moisture can cook off. You can also transfer the chicken and squash to a serving dish and stir the sauce in the cooker before spooning it back over everything.
Use other summer squash: Yellow squash is especially pretty here, but zucchini works well too, either on its own or mixed with the yellow squash. Keep the slices fairly thick so they do not disappear into the sauce.
Make it heartier: To stretch the meal further, serve it over rice or noodles, or add a layer of sliced potatoes under the squash. If you add potatoes, allow extra cooking time and make sure they are cut thinly enough to become tender.
Food safety tip: Chicken drumsticks should cook to a safe internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part without touching bone. Avoid lifting the lid too often during cooking, since slow cookers lose heat each time the cover is removed.
