When the summer heat settles over the fields and the last thing anybody wants is a hot oven running all afternoon, a slow cooker supper like this feels like an old bit of kitchen wisdom worth keeping. This frugal chicken recipe leans on just a handful of pantry staples, letting raw chicken medallions turn tender and flavorful with almost no fuss at all. It is the sort of practical meal that fits busy days, tight grocery budgets, and the Midwestern habit of making something mighty tasty out of what is already on the shelf.
This chicken is especially good spooned over cooked rice, buttered egg noodles, or a pile of mashed potatoes to catch every bit of the savory sauce. For something lighter in warm weather, serve it with green beans, sweet corn, cucumber salad, or simple sliced tomatoes with a pinch of salt and pepper. A pan of biscuits on the side never hurts either, especially if you have hungry folks at the table.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Frugal Summer Heat Chicken
Servings: 4
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds raw chicken medallions
1 cup barbecue sauce
1/2 cup Italian dressing
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Directions
1. Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick spray if desired, then spread the raw chicken medallions evenly across the bottom.
2. In a bowl, stir together the barbecue sauce, Italian dressing, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar until smooth.
3. Pour the sauce over the chicken, making sure the pieces are well coated. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
4. Once done, spoon some of the sauce over the top and serve the chicken hot with rice, noodles, or potatoes.
Variations & Tips
Make it tangier: If your family likes a sharper, livelier sauce, add a tablespoon of yellow mustard or a splash of apple cider vinegar to the mixture before cooking.
Stretch the meal: To make this feed a few more people, serve the chicken over a generous bed of rice or noodles and add a side of corn, peas, or a simple garden salad.
Watch the cooking time: Chicken medallions are smaller and leaner than bigger cuts, so they can cook quickly. Start checking early so they stay juicy and do not overcook.
Use what you have: If your barbecue sauce is sweet, you can reduce the brown sugar a little. If it is smoky or spicy, that will change the whole character of the dish in a good way without needing extra ingredients.
Thicken the sauce: If you want a thicker sauce at the end, remove the cooked chicken, whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water, stir it into the slow cooker juices, and heat until the sauce turns glossy and slightly thickened.