Ranch Chicken Crock Pot: Easy & Delicious
Effortless Comfort Food Slow Cooker Recipes.
Tender, slow-cooked chicken in a creamy, zesty ranch sauce. The perfect set-it-and-forget-it weeknight meal.
I'll never forget the first time I made this. It was one of those chaotic Tuesdays—you know the kind. I had about five minutes between meetings and school pickup, so I tossed everything in the crock pot and just hoped for the best. When we all tumbled back through the door later, tired and hungry, the most amazing, comforting aroma greeted us. We piled the chicken onto soft buns, and wow. It felt like a little victory. A perfect, cozy meal with almost zero effort. It’s been a favorite ever since.
Why You'll Love This Ranch Chicken
- •It’s a true 'fix-it-and-forget-it' meal for busy days.
- •Requires just a handful of simple, easy-to-find ingredients.
- •The chicken comes out impossibly tender and juicy every time.
- •It's incredibly versatile—perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or over rice.
- •The creamy, zesty sauce is pure comfort food.
I made this last night and my family is already asking for it again! The chicken was so tender it literally fell apart with a fork. I can't believe something this simple could be so packed with flavor. This is officially in our regular dinner rotation.
Essential Ingredient Guide
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are my choice here. They cook beautifully and shred so easily. Boneless thighs would also be delicious if you prefer darker meat.
- Dry Ranch Seasoning: The one-ounce packet is where all that zesty, herby flavor comes from. It's the simple secret to this recipe. No need to measure a bunch of different spices.
- Cream Cheese: This is what creates that wonderfully creamy, luscious sauce. I always use a full-fat block of cream cheese. It melts down perfectly without getting watery.
Complete Cooking Process
- Start by placing your chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle the ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and pepper all over the top.
- Gently pour the chicken broth around the edges—this keeps the seasonings on the chicken.
- Finally, dot the top of the chicken with your cubes of cream cheese.
- Put the lid on and set it. That's it! I usually cook it on low for about 4 to 6 hours. This slow, gentle heat makes the chicken so tender.
- Try not to peek! Every time you lift the lid, you let heat escape and add to the cooking time.
- When the chicken is cooked through, take two forks and shred it right in the crock pot. It should be so soft that it just pulls apart.
- Then, give everything a good stir. The shredded chicken will mix into the melted cream cheese and juices, creating the most amazing creamy sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
→Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, absolutely. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully and will be extra juicy. The cooking time should be about the same.
→My sauce seems a little thin. How can I thicken it?
If you'd like a thicker sauce, you can remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking. Or, you can stir in a small slurry of cornstarch and water at the end and let it heat through.
→What are the best ways to serve this ranch chicken?
Oh, the options are endless! It's fantastic on toasted brioche buns for sandwiches. We also love it served over creamy mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice. It's even great in a baked potato.
→Can I add vegetables to this recipe?
You could. Some chopped onions or carrots could be added at the beginning. However, I prefer to keep it simple and serve a steamed vegetable or a fresh salad on the side.
Ranch Chicken Crock Pot: Easy & Delicious
Easy ranch chicken crock pot recipe! Slow-cooked chicken in a creamy ranch sauce delivers comfort and flavor. Try it today!
Timing
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
4-6 hours
Total Time
4 hours 5 minutes
Recipe Details
Ingredients
For the Ranch Chicken
- 012 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 021 (1-ounce) packet dry ranch seasoning mix
- 038 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 041/2 cup chicken broth
- 051/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 061/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Serving (Optional)
- 01Brioche buns
- 02Mashed potatoes
- 03Cooked rice or egg noodles
- 04Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Place the chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of your slow cooker.
Sprinkle the dry ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper evenly over the chicken.
Pour the chicken broth around the sides of the chicken.
Place the cubed cream cheese on top of the chicken breasts.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. It should fall apart very easily.
Stir the shredded chicken and the melted cream cheese together until everything is combined into a creamy, savory mixture.
Serve warm on buns, over potatoes, or with your favorite side. Garnish with fresh parsley if you like.
Notes & Tips
- 1I prefer using full-fat block cream cheese. The kind in a tub can be a bit watery and may not create as rich a sauce.
- 2Low-sodium chicken broth works perfectly if you're watching your salt intake.
Tools You'll Need
- •Use softened, cubed cream cheese for the smoothest melt.
- •Resist the urge to lift the lid while cooking. The slow cooker needs to maintain a consistent temperature.
- •For the easiest shredding, do it right in the crock pot while the chicken is warm.
- •If your chicken releases a lot of liquid, you can drain a little off before shredding and stirring for a thicker sauce.