My grandmother always made this when the summer garden overflowed. Toss 4 ingredients into the pot and walk away until the house smells amazing and dinner is fork tender.

When wax beans are abundant, this simple slow cooker chicken dish is the kind of practical home cooking that makes the most of a small handful of ingredients. The long, gentle cooking turns the chicken fork tender while the beans soften into the savory buttery broth, creating a no-fuss dinner with old-fashioned comfort and just enough garden freshness to feel like summer on a plate.

Serve this with crusty bread, buttered egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or plain white rice to catch the flavorful broth. A simple sliced tomato salad, cucumber salad, or a plate of fresh summer corn also pairs especially well and keeps the meal in that easy garden-season spirit.

Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Chicken and Wax Beans

Servings: 4

Slow cooker chicken and wax beans plated on a white ceramic plate

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 pound fresh wax beans, trimmed
4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
1 teaspoon black pepper

Chicken breasts, wax beans, butter, and black pepper on a kitchen counter

Directions

1. Lightly grease the slow cooker if desired. Arrange the chicken breasts in an even layer in the bottom of the cooker.

Raw chicken breasts arranged in a slow cooker

2. Scatter the trimmed wax beans over the chicken, then dot the top with the butter pieces and sprinkle evenly with black pepper.

Wax beans, butter, and pepper layered over chicken in the slow cooker

3. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender and the beans are soft. The butter and juices from the chicken will create a light broth as it cooks.

Cooked chicken and wax beans in a buttery broth inside the slow cooker

4. Serve the chicken with the wax beans and spoon some of the buttery broth over the top.

Final plated chicken and wax beans with broth and simple sides

Variations & Tips

Add onion: If you do not mind moving beyond the strict four-ingredient version, a sliced onion layered under or over the chicken adds sweetness and more savory depth to the broth.

Use chicken thighs: Boneless or bone-in chicken thighs work very well here and stay especially juicy during slow cooking. If using bone-in pieces, allow a bit more cooking time and check that the meat is fully tender.

Season thoughtfully: Because this recipe is so minimal, good black pepper makes a noticeable difference. A small pinch of salt at the table can also help brighten the flavor, especially if you plan to serve it over potatoes, noodles, or rice.

Watch the cooking time: Chicken breasts can dry out if left too long, even in a slow cooker. Start checking for doneness at the 4-hour mark on low, particularly if the breasts are on the smaller side.

Try green beans instead: If wax beans are unavailable, fresh green beans make an easy substitute. The dish will have the same homey character, just with a slightly grassier flavor and deeper green color.