Throw the meat in the pot and 4 other ingredients. You get a creamy, savory meal so delicious your husband will ask for it every week.

This 5-ingredient slow cooker chicken cordon bleu bowtie pasta is my pared-down, weeknight-friendly nod to the classic French-inspired dish that layers chicken, ham, and Swiss. Instead of fussing with stuffing and breading, you literally throw the meat in the pot, add just four more pantry-friendly ingredients, and let the slow cooker do the work. The result is a creamy, savory, family-pleasing meal with all the comforting flavors of cordon bleu, folded into tender bowtie pasta. It’s the kind of recipe that quietly slips into the weekly rotation because it’s both simple and reliably delicious.

Serve this creamy chicken cordon bleu pasta straight from the slow cooker with a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the richness. Garlic bread or a warm baguette is perfect for swiping up the extra sauce. A side of steamed green beans, broccoli, or roasted asparagus works well, too. If you enjoy wine, a lightly chilled Chardonnay or a dry rosé pairs nicely with the ham and Swiss flavors.

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8 ounces sliced deli ham (not honey-sweet, roughly chopped or torn)
8 ounces sliced Swiss cheese
2 (10.5-ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
12 ounces bowtie (farfalle) pasta, uncooked