My mother-in-law passed down this 5-ingredient June classic. Let the vegetables soften down slowly with the meat until it smells amazing and falls apart on your fork.

When the gardens start giving up their first yellow squash, this is the kind of supper that feels just right in a Midwestern kitchen. My mother-in-law favored simple meals that let a few good ingredients do all the work, and this slow cooker chicken and summer squash is one of those June dishes that fills the house with a steady, savory smell while the vegetables soften into the juices from the meat. It is frugal, comforting, and easy enough for a weekday, yet tender enough to feel like something lovingly passed from one generation to the next.

Serve this soft, saucy chicken and squash with buttered egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or plain white rice to catch the light juices. A slice of skillet cornbread or a piece of warm crusty bread fits right in, and if you want a little freshness on the table, sliced tomatoes or a simple cucumber salad make a fine summer pairing.

Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Chicken and Summer Squash

Servings: 4

Slow cooker chicken and summer squash plated on a white ceramic plate

Ingredients

6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
4 medium yellow summer squash, cut into thick chunks
1 medium yellow onion, sliced
1 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon black pepper

Chicken thighs, squash, onion, broth, and black pepper laid out for the recipe

Directions

1. Scatter the sliced onion across the bottom of the slow cooker, then add the yellow squash chunks in an even layer.

Onion and summer squash layered in the bottom of a slow cooker

2. Set the chicken thighs on top of the vegetables and sprinkle the black pepper evenly over everything.

Chicken thighs arranged over squash and onions in the slow cooker

3. Pour the chicken broth around the sides so the seasoning stays on the chicken, then cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours, or until the chicken is very tender and the squash has softened into the juices.

Cooked chicken and softened squash inside the slow cooker

4. Carefully spoon the chicken and squash onto plates, ladle a little of the light glaze-like broth over the top, and serve hot.

Final plated chicken and summer squash with simple sides

Variations & Tips

Add a little richness: If you like a fuller pan sauce, stir in a tablespoon of butter at the end, right into the hot juices before spooning them over the chicken.

Use boneless chicken: Boneless thighs work nicely and are easy to serve, though they may cook a bit faster. Start checking them around the 4-hour mark on low so they do not overcook.

Keep the squash chunky: Summer squash cooks down quickly, so cut it into thick pieces if you want it to hold its shape better by suppertime. Thinner slices will melt down more into the broth.

Season to your table: This is a very simple old-fashioned dish, so a little salt at the table, a pinch of garlic powder, or a spoonful of chopped parsley can wake it up without taking away its quiet charm.