When I want a summer supper that keeps the kitchen cool and still feels cozy at dinnertime, this 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker July Evening Ease Chicken is one of the easiest meals I turn to. It is the kind of simple family recipe that lets the slow cooker do the work while the sauce thickens around the chicken into a rich, glossy finish, giving you a hearty main dish with almost no fuss.
This chicken is especially nice served over fluffy white rice, buttered noodles, or mashed potatoes so all that sweet-savory sauce has somewhere to go. For a lighter plate, add steamed green beans, corn on the cob, a crisp cucumber salad, or simple roasted broccoli, and if you are feeding a crowd, a basket of soft dinner rolls makes it feel like a full comfort-food meal.
3-Ingredient Slow Cooker July Evening Ease Chicken
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 cup thick amber-style barbecue sauce
1 packet dry onion soup mix
Directions
1. Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick spray if desired, then arrange the chicken thighs in an even layer in the bottom.
2. Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the chicken, then pour the barbecue sauce across the top so the pieces are well coated.
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 and easily pulls apart with a fork.
4. Use two forks to gently shred or break up the chicken into large pieces, stirring it through the sauce so everything gets nicely glazed. Serve warm.
Variations & Tips
For a sweeter version: Use a honey barbecue sauce for a stickier, sweeter finish that children often enjoy, especially when served over rice.
For picky eaters: Shred the chicken a little finer and serve it on sandwich buns or slider rolls for easy little sandwiches that are simple to hold and eat.
To keep the sauce from getting too salty: If your barbecue sauce is already bold and well seasoned, choose a lower-sodium onion soup mix if you can find one, or use a little less than the full packet.
For easy cleanup: A slow cooker liner can make this especially handy on busy evenings, and it is a nice trick when you know supper will be followed by a full sink of side-dish bowls and plates.
To round out the meal: This recipe is rich, so a fresh side like melon, sliced tomatoes, coleslaw, or a vinegar-based cucumber salad helps balance the plate and makes it feel just right for July.