This 5-ingredient slow cooker chicken is the kind of practical weeknight dinner that earns a regular spot in the rotation, especially in the middle of summer when nobody wants to stand over a hot stove. Using frozen chicken breast tenders keeps the prep especially simple, while a handful of pantry-friendly ingredients turns them into a tender, savory meal with a comforting “poor man’s supper” spirit: inexpensive, filling, and full of flavor with very little fuss.
Serve this chicken over mashed potatoes, rice, buttered egg noodles, or thick slices of toast so none of the flavorful juices go to waste. For a lighter plate, add corn on the cob, green beans, a cucumber salad, or sliced tomatoes, which fit especially well with the easy mid-summer feel of the dish.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Poor Man's Mid-Summer Evening Chicken
Servings: 4 to 6
Ingredients
2 pounds frozen chicken breast tenders
1 packet chicken gravy mix
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
1. Place the frozen chicken breast tenders in the bottom of the slow cooker in an even layer.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken gravy mix, condensed cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and garlic powder until smooth.
3. Pour the mixture evenly over the chicken, cover, and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
4. Gently stir once or twice during the last hour if desired, then check that the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
5. Serve the chicken hot with plenty of sauce spooned over your choice of mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles.
Variations & Tips
Add onion flavor: If you want a little more depth without adding much work, scatter a small sliced onion or about 1/2 teaspoon onion powder over the chicken before adding the sauce mixture. It gives the finished gravy a slightly sweeter, rounder flavor.
Make it heartier: Add baby potatoes or thick carrot slices to the slow cooker first, then place the chicken on top. They will soak up the juices as the meal cooks and turn this into more of a complete one-pot supper.
Shred or leave whole: Chicken tenders can be served whole for a classic supper plate, or lightly shredded into the sauce for easier serving over rice or noodles. If you choose to shred it, do so gently near the end of cooking so the meat stays moist.
Food safety note: For best results and safety, make sure your slow cooker model is suitable for cooking chicken from frozen, and always confirm the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving. If your slow cooker runs cool, thaw the tenders in the refrigerator first.
Thin or thick sauce: If the sauce seems thinner than you like, leave the lid slightly ajar for the last 20 to 30 minutes of cooking. If it becomes too thick, stir in a small splash of warm chicken broth before serving.