This kind of slow cooker dinner is exactly what busy weekdays call for: a handful of pantry staples, frozen chicken straight from the freezer, and almost no prep. Poor Man's Summer Camp Pick-Up Chicken has that sweet, tangy, comforting flavor that feels a little nostalgic and a lot practical, making it a great fallback meal when the schedule is packed but everyone still wants something warm and satisfying on the table.
Serve this chicken over mashed potatoes, white rice, egg noodles, or even buttery toast to catch all the sauce. For a simple side, add steamed green beans, corn, a crisp salad, or roasted broccoli, and if you want to stretch the meal a little further, pair it with macaroni and cheese or baked beans for a hearty family dinner.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Poor Man's Summer Camp Pick-Up Chicken
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds frozen chicken tenderloins
1 cup barbecue sauce
1/2 cup grape jelly
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
Directions
1. Place the frozen chicken tenderloins in the bottom of a slow cooker in an even layer.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the barbecue sauce, grape jelly, Worcestershire sauce, and yellow mustard until smooth and well combined.
3. Pour the sauce mixture over the frozen 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. Once cooked, shred the chicken lightly with two forks or leave the tenderloins whole, then stir well so everything is coated in the sauce. Serve hot.
Variations & Tips
Make it stretch: This is a great recipe for serving over rice, noodles, or potatoes when you need to feed a few extra people without adding much cost. The sauce goes a long way, so a starch underneath makes the meal feel even more complete.
For easier shredding: If you want more of a pulled chicken texture for sandwiches or sliders, let the chicken cook until very tender, then shred it fully and stir it back into the sauce for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
Adjust the sweetness: If your favorite barbecue sauce is already very sweet, reduce the grape jelly slightly and add an extra teaspoon of mustard or Worcestershire sauce to keep the flavor balanced.
Storage tip: Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat gently and add a spoonful of water if the sauce has thickened too much.
Slow cooker safety note: For best results, make sure your slow cooker is suited to cooking frozen poultry according to the manufacturer's guidance, and always check that the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving.