My neighbor from Lancaster taught me this trick for the summer harvest. Just 4 ingredients tossed together to create the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth dinner.

This slow cooker 4-ingredient Amish chicken and summer squash is the kind of simple summer supper that makes the most of a garden harvest without heating up the kitchen. Inspired by the practical, comforting style of Amish home cooking, it brings together chicken, fresh squash, butter, and seasoning for a meal that turns silky and tender as it cooks low and slow. It is a wonderful recipe for busy days when you want something hearty, gentle, and family-friendly with very little hands-on work.

Serve this tender chicken and squash with buttered egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or fluffy rice to catch all the rich juices. For a lighter plate, add sliced tomatoes, green beans, or a simple cucumber salad on the side. Warm biscuits or a piece of crusty bread also fit right in and help make the meal feel extra comforting.

Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Amish Chicken and Summer Squash

Servings: 4 to 6

Finished slow cooker Amish chicken and summer squash

Ingredients

6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
4 medium yellow summer squash, sliced into thick rounds
6 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
2 teaspoons seasoned salt

Chicken thighs, sliced yellow squash, butter, and seasoned salt

Directions

1. Lightly butter or coat the inside of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker if desired for easier cleanup. Spread the sliced summer squash in an even layer across the bottom.

Sliced summer squash layered in a white slow cooker

2. Arrange the chicken thighs on top of the squash in a single layer, skin side up if using skin-on thighs. Sprinkle the seasoned salt evenly over the chicken and squash.

Chicken thighs arranged over squash and sprinkled with seasoning

3. Dot the top with the pieces of butter, placing them evenly so they melt down over the chicken as it cooks.

Butter pieces dotted over seasoned chicken in the slow cooker

4. 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 and the squash is soft but not completely falling apart.

Chicken and squash cooked until tender in buttery juices

5. Spoon some of the buttery squash and juices onto each plate, then top with a chicken thigh or two and serve warm.

Plated chicken and summer squash with buttery juices

Variations & Tips

For boneless chicken: Boneless thighs work well too and cook a little faster, usually closer to 4 hours on LOW. Check early so the meat stays tender and does not dry out.

For extra garden vegetables: If you have a bumper crop, add a sliced onion or a handful of zucchini along with the squash. Keep the layers fairly even so everything cooks at the same rate.

Variation with yellow squash, zucchini, and onion

For a deeper color: If you like a more browned finish, place the cooked chicken under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes before serving. That quick step gives the skin a little extra color while keeping the inside juicy.

For picky eaters: Peel the squash if your family prefers a softer texture and milder look. Serving the chicken with noodles or mashed potatoes can also make the plate feel more familiar for little ones.

For best results: Try not to overcook, since summer squash softens quickly and releases a lot of moisture. If your slow cooker runs hot, start checking on the earlier side of the cooking range.