Some recipes earn their place in the kitchen by being fancy, and some earn it by getting supper on the table with almost no fuss at all. This slow cooker 4-ingredient Amish onion soup chicken belongs to that second, treasured kind. It is the sort of simple country meal that reminds me of how many Midwestern home cooks have long relied on pantry staples, a trusty crock, and a little patience to turn humble ingredients into something hearty and comforting. By supper time, the chicken turns fork-tender in a savory onion gravy that tastes like it took far more effort than it did.
This chicken is mighty good served over mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or fluffy white rice to catch every bit of that rich onion gravy. For a full plate, add green beans, sweet corn, or a simple cucumber salad on the side. If you are feeding a hungry bunch on a warm afternoon, a pan of dinner rolls and a tall glass of iced tea make the whole meal feel complete without adding much work.
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Amish Onion Soup Chicken
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs
1 packet dry onion soup mix, about 1 ounce
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup, 10.5 ounces
1/2 cup chicken broth
Directions
1. Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker if desired, then place the chicken breasts or thighs in an even layer in the bottom.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the dry onion soup mix, condensed cream of chicken soup, and chicken broth until mostly smooth.
3. Pour the soup mixture over the chicken, spreading it gently so the pieces are well covered.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is very tender and cooked through.
5. When the chicken is done, spoon some of the gravy over the top and serve the pieces whole, or pull them apart lightly with two forks right in the cooker for a softer, homestyle finish.
Variations & Tips
Use chicken thighs: If you like especially juicy, flavorful meat, boneless skinless chicken thighs are a fine choice here. They stay tender in the slow cooker and are a little more forgiving if supper gets delayed.
Make the gravy thinner or thicker: For a thinner sauce, add an extra splash of chicken broth before cooking. If you want a thicker gravy at the end, remove the lid for the last 20 to 30 minutes of cooking, or stir in a small cornstarch slurry and let it heat through.
Serve it over something hearty: This is one of those recipes that practically begs for mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice. The gravy is too tasty to leave behind, and a starchy side turns it into a full, filling supper.
Add a little extra onion flavor: If your family loves onions, stir in a sliced sweet onion before cooking. It softens down beautifully and gives the gravy an even deeper home-cooked flavor.