Grandpa swore by this simple summer dinner to use up the garden harvest. With only 4 ingredients, it stews down all day until the meat practically falls apart into a rich, mouthwatering gravy.

This slow cooker 4-ingredient chicken and tomatoes is the kind of supper that feels like home, especially in the middle of summer when tomatoes are coming in faster than you can use them. It’s a wonderfully simple, old-fashioned meal that lets a few basic ingredients do all the work, simmering low and slow until the chicken turns tender and the tomatoes cook down into a rich, spoonable gravy. It’s an easy family dinner for busy days, and it’s also a lovely way to make the most of a garden harvest without much fuss.

Serve this cozy chicken over mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, rice, or thick slices of toasted bread to catch every bit of the tomato-rich gravy. For a fresh side, green beans, sweet corn, or a crisp cucumber salad fit especially well, and if you want to round things out for company, a simple tossed salad and a platter of sliced melon make it feel like a full summer supper.

Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Chicken and Tomatoes

Servings: 4 to 6

Slow cooker chicken and tomatoes plated in a white ceramic plate

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
6 cups ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Lightly grease the slow cooker crock if desired. Spread half of the chopped tomatoes and half of the sliced onion in the bottom, then lay the chicken on top and sprinkle with the salt.

Layered tomatoes, onion, and chicken in a slow cooker

2. Top the chicken with the remaining tomatoes and onion, covering the meat as evenly as possible. Put on the lid and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is very tender and the tomatoes have broken down into a juicy sauce.

Chicken and tomatoes cooked down in the slow cooker

3. Use two forks to gently shred the chicken right in the slow cooker, mixing it into the tomatoes and juices to create a rustic, rich gravy. Taste and add a little more salt if needed.

Shredding the tender chicken into the tomato juices

4. Spoon the chicken and tomatoes onto plates or over your favorite side dish, and serve hot with plenty of the savory tomato gravy.

Plated slow cooker chicken and tomatoes with sides

Variations & Tips

Use thighs for extra richness: Chicken thighs stay especially tender in the slow cooker and give the finished dish a deeper, richer flavor. If you use chicken breasts, check a little earlier so they stay juicy.

For a smoother sauce: If your family prefers fewer tomato chunks, use peeled tomatoes or give the cooked mixture a quick mash with a spoon before shredding the chicken. That helps create an even more gravy-like texture.

Add a little garden flavor: Even though the classic version is just 4 ingredients, a pinch of black pepper, a clove of garlic, or a few torn basil leaves can be nice if you have them on hand. Those little extras fit beautifully when tomatoes are in season.

Make it kid-friendly: Serve the shredded chicken and tomato gravy over buttered noodles or rice for picky eaters. A sprinkle of mild shredded cheese on top can also make it especially appealing for children.