Only 4 ingredients are needed to make this ridiculously easy and incredibly delicious Crockpot Ranch Chicken. Meet your new favorite weeknight dinner!
What’s in Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken?
Tender chicken coated in a creamy and savory sauce, whipped up with just a handful of ingredients – this is such a winner of a chicken dinner! Gluten-free and kid-friendly, crockpot ranch chicken is perfect to please a hungry crowd!
- Chicken: I always use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but thighs will also work.
- Ranch Seasoning: Adds so much delicious flavor!
- Chicken Broth: Helps keep the chicken moist.
- Cream Cheese: Makes the chicken super creamy and lush!
Pro Tip: You can substitute 1½ tablespoons of ranch dressing in place of the dry ranch seasoning.
Variations on Ranch Crockpot Chicken
I love this ranch chicken as is, but you can jazz it up a bit by adding some crumbled bacon or melting some shredded cheddar cheese over top! A sprinkle of chopped fresh chives is also delicious!
I do not recommend cooking chicken from frozen in the crockpot, as it can spend too long in the “temperature danger zone”, which could lead to food poisoning.
I like to put a bit of chicken broth to help keep the chicken moist. The broth will start to steam up the crockpot, sealing in all of that rich flavor.
While it’s fine to cook chicken on both low and high in the crockpot, I usually prefer to go low and slow, as it tends to yield more tender chicken that has less of a chance of overcooking.
Yes, you can substitute 1½ tablespoons of ranch dressing in place of the dry ranch seasoning packet in this recipe.
If your chicken is tough, it is either undercooked or overcooked. To figure out which it is, you’ll need an instant-read thermometer. If the chicken is under 165°F, it is undercooked. If it is over 165°F, it is overcooked.
As I said before, I like to keep some liquid in the crockpot to help keep it from drying out. It’s also important to check on the chicken periodically for doneness, as different-sized breasts will take different amounts of time to cook.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover crockpot ranch chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.
How to Freeze
Freeze crockpot ranch chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Allow chicken to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
Serve crockpot ranch chicken with the classics, like mashed potatoes or basmati rice. This easy chicken dish also plays well with loaded scalloped potatoes, corn pudding, three cheese asparagus gratin, and garlic mashed cauliflower.
Whatever you decide to serve this with, you are guaranteed a clean plate. Our family adores this recipe!
More Crockpot Chicken Recipes to Try
- Crockpot Chicken Breast
- Crockpot Mexican Shredded Chicken
- Crockpot Chicken and Gravy
- Crockpot Chicken Alfredo
- Crockpot Shredded Chicken
- Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Crockpot Ranch Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- Crockpot
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 ounce ranch seasoning (1 packet)
- ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 8 ounces cream cheese cubed (1 brick)
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with half of the ranch seasoning packet.2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 ounce ranch seasoning
- Add the chicken broth and the remaining seasoning to the slow cooker. Whisk together.¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker, cover the lid, and cook on high for 2-3 hours, or on low for 3-6 hours.
- Add in the cream cheese cubes and stir until melted and incorporated.8 ounces cream cheese
- Serve with white rice or mashed potatoes.
Becky’s Tips
- You can use chicken breasts or thighs in this recipe.
- You can substitute 1½ tablespoons of ranch dressing in place of the dry ranch seasoning.
- You can shred the chicken and add it to tacos or other recipes that call for shredded chicken, if desired.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
Do I have to shred the chicken before adding the cream cheese? I was hoping to end up with whole pieces of chicken at the end, but I’m not sure if it would taste the same.
Hi Cat, no need to shred!
We’re sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy this recipe!
I have a question about the recipe. Do you wait until the chicken is cooked before adding the cream cheese?
Yes!
Recipe looks great and will be trying soon. Just one caveat: I would not recommend using frozen chicken in a crock pot recipe due to the low cooking temperature. Instant pot? yes. Crock pot? No.
324 calories is for what size portion? Easy to make and hubby loved it as did I.
Hi Cathy, a serving is 1/3 pound of chicken!
I haven’t made this yet but I want to. I am just now printing the recipe. In the picture it looks like cream of chicken soup, not broth. Am I mistaken?
When you mix the broth with the ranch seasoning packet, it turns creamier!
Makes sense. Thank you
Mine still looks like broth with seasoning. Nothing like that picture. That looks like straigh up cream of chicken.
It should thicken up in the slow cooker!