Description

Creamy Ranch Chicken in the Crock Pot is a comforting, Southern-inspired slow-cooked dish featuring tender chicken breasts smothered in a rich, velvety ranch-flavored sauce with cream cheese and cheddar. This easy, hands-off recipe lets you come home to a flavorful meal perfect for busy days, customizable with optional add-ins like bacon or veggies.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for juicier meat)

Sauce

1 packet (1 oz) Ranch seasoning mix (or 2 tablespoons homemade ranch seasoning)
1 cup cream cheese, softened (can substitute Greek yogurt or sour cream for lighter versions)
1/2 cup chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, adds richness)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Garnish and Optional Additions

Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)
Optional: chopped bacon, green onions, or steamed veggies

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts evenly in the bottom of your crock pot. Season lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Mix the Sauce Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, ranch seasoning mix, chicken broth, minced garlic, onion powder, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese if using. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
Pour Sauce Over Chicken: Spread the creamy ranch mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the crock pot to fully coat them.
Cook Low and Slow: Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender. Alternatively, cook on high for 2 to 3 hours, but low is recommended for the best texture.
Add Cheese Finish: During the last 15 minutes of cooking, sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken and recover the crock pot to let it melt into the sauce.
Garnish and Serve: Once cooking is complete, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or chives for brightness. Stir the creamy sauce gently before serving. Serve warm directly from the crock pot or plated over mashed potatoes or your favorite side.

Notes

You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier, more flavorful result.
For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt or sour cream instead of cream cheese.
Low sodium chicken broth helps control saltiness; adjust salt seasoning accordingly.
Add optional ingredients like chopped bacon or steamed vegetables for variety.
Slow cooking on low is best to achieve tender, melt-in-your-mouth chicken.
Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and freeze nicely.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours on low or 2 to 3 hours on high
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking / Crock Pot
Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (about 1 cup)
Calories: 370
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 550mg
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 4g
Fiber: 0.3g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: creamy ranch chicken, crock pot chicken recipe, slow cooker dinner, ranch seasoning chicken, easy chicken recipe