There is something mighty comforting about a slow cooker supper that asks so little and gives back so much, and this Amish-style chicken and baked beans dish is just that kind of meal. With only four simple ingredients, it turns into a sweet, savory, stick-to-your-ribs pot of tender chicken and saucy beans that feels right at home at a summer block party, a church supper, or a busy weekday table. It has that old-fashioned Midwestern thrift and practicality to it too, making a hearty meal from pantry staples without any fuss.
Serve this with buttered cornbread, a scoop of creamy coleslaw, or a simple cucumber and onion salad to balance the sweetness of the beans. If you are feeding a crowd, set out potato salad, deviled eggs, and a platter of sliced watermelon, and you will have the kind of easy spread folks hover around until the slow cooker is scraped nearly clean.
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Amish Chicken and Baked Beans
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cans (28 ounces each) baked beans
1 cup barbecue sauce
1 small onion, finely chopped
Directions
1. Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker if needed, then place the chicken breasts in the bottom in an even layer.
2. Spoon the baked beans over the chicken, then add the chopped onion and pour the barbecue sauce across the top.
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 cooked through.
4. Shred the chicken right in the slow cooker with two forks, stir it gently into the beans, and let it sit for 10 minutes so the sauce settles before serving.
Variations & Tips
Use chicken thighs: If you like even richer flavor, boneless skinless chicken thighs work beautifully here and stay wonderfully moist in the slow cooker.
Choose your sauce wisely: A sweet, smoky barbecue sauce gives this dish that old-fashioned potluck taste, but if your baked beans are already quite sweet, a tangier sauce can keep the balance just right.
Make it stretch: To feed a few more people, serve the chicken and beans over baked potatoes, buttered toast, or fluffy rice. It is a frugal trick that has saved many a busy supper table.
Add a little smoke: A pinch of smoked paprika or a few slices of cooked crumbled bacon can deepen the flavor if you do not mind wandering past the strict four-ingredient idea.
Store leftovers: Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely the next day, when the sauce has thickened and the flavors have settled in even more.