Place block of cream cheese over chicken breasts, with 2 extra ingredients, into slow cooker for a creamy dinner I plan meals around

This slow cooker 4-ingredient Amish-style creamy ranch chicken is the kind of no-fuss dinner I plan my week around. It’s inspired by the simple, comforting church-supper recipes I grew up with in the Midwest—nothing fancy, just pantry staples that magically turn into something you want to pile over mashed potatoes. The process could not be easier: raw chicken breasts go straight into the slow cooker, a full block of cream cheese gets nestled on top, then just two more ingredients join the party before you flip the switch and walk away. By the time you’re home from work, you’ve got tender, shredded chicken in a rich, ranch-flavored cream sauce that tastes like you fussed way more than you did.

I love serving this creamy ranch chicken spooned over fluffy mashed potatoes, but it’s just as good over buttered egg noodles or steamed rice. Add something green on the side—roasted broccoli, a simple side salad, or green beans—to balance out the richness. If you want to stretch the meal, pile the shredded chicken onto toasted buns or slider rolls and serve with coleslaw and pickle chips. Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day, and the sauce is perfect for dipping crusty bread or garlic toast.

Servings: 6

2 to 2 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Place the raw chicken breasts in an even layer on the bottom of a 5- to 7-quart slow cooker. If the breasts are very thick, you can cut them in half lengthwise so they cook more evenly.

Sprinkle the dry ranch seasoning mix evenly over the tops of the chicken breasts.

Pour the chicken broth around the chicken (not directly on top of the seasoning so it stays mostly on the chicken).

Unwrap the block of cream cheese and place it whole directly on top of the seasoned chicken breasts in the center of the slow cooker. It’s fine if it sits like a little brick on top; it will melt down as it cooks.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, or on HIGH for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is very tender and easily shreds with a fork. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking so the heat and moisture stay in.

Once the chicken is cooked through, use two forks to shred the chicken breasts directly in the slow cooker. The cream cheese will be very soft—stir and shred until the chicken is coated and the cream cheese and cooking juices form a smooth, creamy ranch sauce.

Taste the sauce and add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper if needed. If the sauce is thicker than you like, stir in an extra splash or two of chicken broth or milk until it reaches your preferred consistency.

Switch the slow cooker to WARM and let the chicken sit for 10 to 15 minutes to thicken slightly, then serve the creamy ranch chicken over mashed potatoes, noodles, rice, or in buns.

For a veggie boost, scatter 1 to 2 cups of sliced carrots or halved baby potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker under the chicken; they’ll cook in the sauce and soak up the ranch flavor (you may want to bump the broth up to 3/4 cup). If you like a little tang, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt at the end for extra creaminess. For a bit of smoky flavor, add 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika or a few crumbles of cooked bacon after shredding the chicken. To lighten things up, use Neufchâtel (1/3 less fat cream cheese) and serve the chicken over steamed cauliflower or zucchini noodles. This recipe also works well with boneless, skinless chicken thighs; just trim excess fat and cook on LOW for about 5 to 6 hours. Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months—reheat gently with a splash of broth or milk to loosen the sauce if needed.