There are a good many days in August when the house is half summer and half school year, and that is exactly when a slow cooker supper earns its keep. This 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker August Homework Hustle Chicken is the kind of practical meal Midwestern cooks have long relied on: simple pantry staples, a dependable crock, and a supper that is hot and ready by late afternoon. It is rich, creamy, and hearty enough to settle hungry folks around the table without keeping you tied to the stove.
Spoon this chicken over mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, rice, or a split baked potato so every bit of that creamy golden sauce has somewhere to go. A pan of green beans, buttered corn, sliced tomatoes, or a crisp cucumber salad makes a fine partner, and if you have bread or biscuits on hand, they are mighty welcome for mopping up the last of the sauce.
4-Ingredient Slow Cooker August Homework Hustle Chicken
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs
1 packet ranch seasoning mix, about 1 ounce
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup, 10.5 ounces
8 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
Directions
1. Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker crock with cooking spray or a thin smear of butter if you like easier cleanup. Lay the chicken in an even layer across the bottom.
2. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning evenly over the chicken, then spread the condensed cream of chicken soup across the top. Scatter the cream cheese cubes over everything.
3. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is very tender.
4. Remove the lid and shred the chicken right in the slow cooker using two forks. Stir well until the cream cheese and soup blend into a smooth, creamy sauce that coats the shredded chicken.
5. Taste and serve hot over mashed potatoes, noodles, rice, or biscuits.
Variations & Tips
Use chicken thighs: If you like a richer, more forgiving result, boneless skinless thighs work beautifully here and stay especially tender during a long slow cook.
Loosen the sauce: For a slightly thinner sauce, stir in a splash of milk or chicken broth at the end until it reaches the consistency you like for spooning over potatoes or noodles.
Add vegetables wisely: A handful of frozen peas or a few cooked mushrooms can be stirred in near the end, but keep it simple so the sauce stays creamy and the short ingredient spirit of the recipe remains intact.
Make-ahead tip: You can place the chicken, seasoning, soup, and cream cheese in the slow cooker insert the night before, cover, and refrigerate. In the morning, set the insert into the cooker and start it up for an easy school-day supper plan.