These slow cooker 5-ingredient chicken tenders are exactly the kind of recipe busy weeknights and potlucks were made for. The sauce turns rich and creamy as it cooks, coating the chicken in that classic cozy, crowd-pleasing way that always makes people ask what’s in it. It has that easy, old-school church supper charm too—simple pantry ingredients, very little prep, and a result that tastes like you worked a lot harder than you actually did.
Serve these chicken tenders over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, white rice, or even toasted sandwich rolls if you want to stretch them for a crowd. For sides, I like something simple and familiar like green beans, buttered corn, a crisp side salad, or steamed broccoli to balance the creamy sauce.
Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Chicken Tenders Montgomery
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds chicken tenders
1 packet dry onion soup mix, about 1 ounce
1 can cream of chicken soup, 10.5 ounces
8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
1/2 cup chicken broth
Directions
1. Lightly coat the slow cooker insert with nonstick spray if desired, then arrange the chicken tenders in an even layer in the bottom.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the onion soup mix, cream of chicken soup, cream cheese, and chicken broth until as smooth as possible.
3. Spoon the sauce over the chicken tenders, cover, and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
4. Gently stir once or twice near the end of cooking so the cream cheese fully melts into the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of broth.
5. Serve hot with plenty of sauce spooned over the top.
Variations & Tips
Make it extra savory: Add 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, a little garlic powder, or a spoonful of Dijon mustard to the sauce for a deeper flavor without changing the easy nature of the recipe.
Use chicken breasts instead: If you do not have tenders, cut boneless skinless chicken breasts into large strips so they cook in about the same amount of time and stay tender.
Thin the sauce for serving: This sauce thickens as it sits, especially on a buffet table. Keep a little warm chicken broth nearby so you can stir in a splash before serving leftovers or taking it to a potluck.
Turn it into a full meal: Add sliced mushrooms or a layer of frozen peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking if you want to make the dish feel a little more complete without extra fuss.