Place cream cheese block on top of raw chicken breasts, accompanied by 3 ingredients, into slow cooker for a creamy meal that’s my default when I do

This slow cooker creamy ranch chicken is the kind of recipe I lean on when the day has gotten away from me and I still want something comforting on the table. It reminds me of the simple church potluck dishes I grew up with in the Midwest—nothing fancy, just pantry staples and a little patience.

You lay raw chicken breasts in the slow cooker, nestle a block of cream cheese right on top, sprinkle on dry ranch seasoning, and add just two more everyday ingredients. By suppertime, the chicken turns tender and shreds into a rich, tangy sauce that tastes like it took all afternoon at the stove, even though the slow cooker did the work.