When the July air turns warm and the evening plans stretch all the way to fireworks, this is the kind of supper that earns its place year after year. A slow cooker chicken recipe with just three ingredients has the plain good sense Midwestern cooks have always appreciated: put it on early, let it take care of itself, and by suppertime you have tender, saucy shreds ready for sandwiches, plates, or paper buns out on the porch. It is simple, dependable, and just the thing for a backyard gathering when nobody wants to be standing over the stove.
Serve this chicken piled onto soft sandwich buns with a scoop of creamy coleslaw, pickle slices, and a side of baked beans or corn on the cob. It also goes nicely with potato salad, kettle chips, or macaroni salad, and if you are feeding a crowd, a tray of watermelon and iced tea rounds it out in a mighty pleasant way.
3-Ingredient Slow Cooker July Backyard Comfort Chicken
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 bottle (18 ounces) barbecue sauce
1/2 cup Italian dressing
Directions
1. Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker in an even layer.
2. Pour the barbecue sauce and Italian dressing over the chicken, covering it as evenly as you can.
3. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is very tender.
4. Shred the chicken right in the slow cooker with two forks, then stir it back into the sauce until every strand is well coated.
5. Serve hot on buns or on a plate with your favorite summer sides.
Variations & Tips
For a sweeter batch: Use a honey barbecue sauce if you like a gentler, sweeter finish. It makes this especially nice for sandwich buns and children at a family cookout.
For a little heat: Choose a spicy barbecue sauce in place of a mild one. That gives you the same easy method with a touch more zip, which is mighty good with cool slaw on the side.
For easier serving: Keep the shredded chicken on the warm setting after cooking if folks will be eating in waves. Give it a stir now and then so the sauce stays evenly distributed.
For make-ahead ease: This chicken reheats beautifully. Cool leftovers, store them in the refrigerator, and warm them gently the next day for sandwiches, baked potatoes, or even a simple supper plate.