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Home » Recipes » Chicken Dinners

Creamy Ranch Chicken

Published: Jan 20, 2023 Last Updated: Jan 10, 2023 by Marye 1379 words. | About 7 minutes to read this article.

Shredded chicken breast in a creamy ranch sauce is perfect over rice or in sandwich rolls. Creamy Ranch chicken is slow cooked until it's melt in the mouth tender and delicious!
Total time 8 hours 5 minutes
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken Sandwich on a clean white plate with a side of purple grapes and Pin text.

This easy crockpot recipe is perfect for sandwiches or spooning over rice. It's great for busy weeknights!

Don't want to scroll through the page to get to the recipe? Use the table of contents to click on the section you want to go to.

Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken Sandwich on a clean white plate with a side of purple grapes.
Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why you'll love it
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 📖 Variations
  • 💭 Things to know
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 🥄 Restless Chipotle recommends
  • 📞 The last word
  • Creamy Ranch Chicken

❤️ Why you'll love it

  • You only need five simple ingredients
  • Feeds the entire family with just minutes of prep time
  • Zingy ranch flavor is always a huge hit

Crock pot creamy ranch chicken is one of those hearty, comforting dinners that taste so satisfying after long days at work or school. It's a great recipe for times when you don't feel like cooking, but still want to enjoy a delicious meal.

🧾 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

Labled ingredients for this reicpe.

🔪 Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Four images are showing step by step instructions on how to make crockpot creamy ranch chicken.
  1. Place chicken in a greased slow cooker.
  2. Add the cubed block of cream cheese and chiles.
  3. Top with the ranch seasoning mix and chicken broth.
  4. Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours. Shred, stir, and serve.

🥫 Storage

Here's a hint: with a family favorite, delicious recipe like this one, make extra! It stores super well and is a great way to meal prep for busy days.

Once the leftover creamy ranch chicken cools, spoon it into an airtight container. It'll last in the refrigerator for up to four days.

To reheat the easy meal, spoon some chicken into a microwave-safe dish. Heat it in 30-second increments in the microwave until warm.

A spoonful of chicken being lifted from the slow cooker.

📖 Variations

  • Instead of skinless chicken breasts, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Dark meat is extra juicy.
  • Use pork chops instead of chicken. Cook on low for 5-6 hours.
  • Like it spicy? Add a can of Rotel tomatoes.
  • Slow cooker creamy ranch chicken is an easy recipe for preparing raw meat, but you can make it with pre-cooked, shredded chicken, too. Just mix everything in a large pot on the stove until melty and warm.
  • If you're out of cream cheese, you can swap it for a cream of chicken soup. Cream of mushroom is good, too, and adds a different flavor.
  • If you don't have chicken stock, just use water and a bouillon cube, or just plain water (or skim milk) if you're really in a pinch.
  • Sometimes, we'll add a little extra cheese depending on what I'm serving with the main dish. Cheddar cheese and swiss pair super well with the chiles. We also like the sharpness of grated parmesan cheese.
  • Stir in some corn, diced peppers/onions, or peas.
  • Don't forget the garnish! Green onions, chives, and parsley pair really well with the flavors in the ranch dressing mix.

💭 Things to know

Expert Tip: Use crock pot liners if you don't want to deal with any cleanup! I don't use them all the time, but it's a major help on busy weeknights.

  • Ranch mix is often found near the dressing section. However, look for small packets of gravy and seasonings. You want to use a ranch packet, not a bottle of ranch in this recipe.
  • I prefer thick boneless skinless breasts over the thin cutlets of chicken. They cook a little better and don't dry out as quickly, so I know I'll have super tender chicken without worrying about the cook times.
  • There are so many different ways to serve this easy slow cooker recipe. We love creamy ranch chicken sandwiches with fries and some fruit.
  • Sometimes, we'll dump the creamy chicken over a mound of white or brown rice and serve it with lots of veggies—it pairs well with anything!
  • You can even stir in some pasta. Just add a little extra chicken broth or a splash of whole milk until the sauce mixture loosens up to coat the noodles, too.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken breasts?

Check with your crockpot manual for the best answer. Many slow cookers caution against using frozen meat because the "low and slow" cooking process doesn't bring it to a safe temperature.

Can you freeze crockpot ranch chicken leftovers?

I don't recommend it. Slow cooker ranch chicken is made with cream cheese, which loses quality after thawing. While it would all be safe to eat, it definitely isn't as tasty.

Do the chiles add spicy heat?

Not really! They'll add a bit of flavor, but the cream cheese helps to balance out and cool down any spiciness. The chiles are a Tex-Mex touch that makes this wonderful recipe extra scrumptious!

A shredded creamy ranch chicken sandwich with a slice of white cheese on a sandwich bun with a side of grapes.
My favorite way to serve this easy, creamy crockpot recipe? On hamburger buns with a slice of pepper-jack cheese.

📚 Related recipes

  • Chicken Bacon and Ranch Pasta—the title describes the easy recipe perfectly, in all its creamy, tender, flavorful goodness.
  • Meat, potatoes, veggies, and sauce all cook together so you can feed the whole family in minutes with Crockpot Ranch Chicken with Potatoes.
  • Super versatile for storage, making ahead, and freezing, King Ranch Chicken Casserole is a Southern family staple that everyone loves!
  • Perfect Pot Roast: Easy Family Favorite
  • Easy Crockpot Meatballs
  • Creamy Crockpot Ranch Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole

🍽️ Serve with...

  • Green Beans and Potatoes
  • Southern Cornbread Salad
  • No-Bake Banana Pudding Pie

🥄 Restless Chipotle recommends

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You'll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.

  • slow cooker
  • ladle

📞 The last word

The first time I made this recipe I was not super impressed by the look of it but once I piled it on a sandwich roll I was totally hooked. Now it's one of my favorite sandwiches.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A closeup of a ladleful of chicken showing the creamy texture.
5 from 1 vote

Creamy Ranch Chicken

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Shredded chicken breast in a creamy ranch sauce is perfect over rice or in sandwich rolls. Creamy Ranch chicken is slow cooked until it's melt in the mouth tender and delicious!
Course Main Dish - Chicken
Cuisine American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
Servings:8
Calories:247
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

  • Slow Cooker

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken breasts, or thighs; boneless skinless
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 4 ounces chiles, undrained
  • ¼ cup chicken stock
  • 1 ounce Ranch seasoning

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Cube cream cheese.
  • Spray slow cooker with no-stick cooking spray.
  • Add chicken breasts.
  • Top with cream cheese ahd chiles.
  • Add Ranch seasoning and chicken stock.
  • Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  • Serve in sandwich buns, over rice, or over mashed potatoes.

Notes

Storage:
Here's a hint: with a family favorite, delicious recipe like this one, make extra! It stores super well and is a great way to meal prep for busy days.
Once the leftover chicken cools, spoon it into an airtight container. It'll last in the refrigerator for up to four days.
I don't care for this after it's been frozen because the sauce can get watery.
To reheat the easy meal, spoon some chicken into a microwave-safe dish. Heat it in 30-second increments in the microwave until warm.
Tips:
  • Like it spicy? Add a can of Rotel tomatoes.
  • Use crock pot liners if you don't want to deal with any cleanup! I don't use them all the time, but it's a major help on busy weeknights.
  • Ranch mix is often found near the dressing section. However, look for small packets of gravy and seasonings. You want to use a ranch packet, not a bottle of ranch in this recipe.
  • I prefer thick boneless skinless breasts over the thin cutlets of chicken. They cook a little better and don't dry out as quickly, so I know I'll have super tender chicken without worrying about the cook times.
  • There are so many different ways to serve this easy slow cooker recipe. We love creamy ranch chicken sandwiches with fries and some fruit.
  • Sometimes, we'll dump the creamy chicken over a mound of white or brown rice and serve it with lots of veggies—it pairs well with anything!
  • You can even stir in some pasta. Just add a little extra chicken broth or a splash of whole milk until the sauce mixture loosens up to coat the noodles, too.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 247kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 101mg | Sodium: 498mg | Potassium: 511mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 550IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg

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    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

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