If you’re craving an easy, comforting dinner that practically cooks itself, Slow-Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken is the answer. This cozy recipe combines tender chicken breasts with a rich, ranch-seasoned cream sauce that’s irresistibly smooth and savory. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, or anytime you want a warm, family-friendly meal without standing over the stove.
Why You’ll Love This Slow-Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken
This recipe is a true lifesaver when time is tight. With just a few minutes of prep, your slow cooker does all the work while you go about your day. The chicken turns out incredibly tender, soaking up all that creamy ranch flavor. Plus, it’s versatile enough to serve over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes — or even shredded for sandwiches and wraps.
Best of all, it uses simple pantry ingredients you probably already have, making it both budget-friendly and reliable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 8 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp parsley (fresh or dried)
These ingredients come together to create a sauce that’s creamy without being heavy and packed with classic ranch flavor.
How to Make Slow-Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Layer the Chicken
Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker in a single layer. This helps them cook evenly and absorb the sauce.
Step 2: Season
Sprinkle the ranch seasoning mix and garlic powder evenly over the chicken. This builds flavor right from the start.
Step 3: Add the Sauce Base
Pour the cream of chicken soup and chicken broth over the seasoned chicken. Gently spread it out so the chicken is mostly covered.
Step 4: Add Creaminess
Top everything with the cubed cream cheese and butter. No need to stir yet — they’ll melt beautifully as the dish cooks.
Step 5: Slow Cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is very tender and cooked through.
Step 6: Stir & Finish
Once done, gently stir the sauce until smooth and creamy. You can leave the chicken whole or shred it directly in the slow cooker. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Lighter option: Use reduced-fat cream cheese or Neufchâtel cheese
- Different soup: Cream of mushroom or cream of celery works well
- Extra herbs: Add dried dill or chives for more ranch flavor
- Shredded style: Shred the chicken for sliders, wraps, or rice bowls
- Veggie boost: Stir in peas or spinach during the last 30 minutes
Serving Ideas & Storage
Serve this creamy ranch chicken over fluffy white rice, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes to soak up every bit of sauce. It’s also great with steamed green beans or roasted carrots on the side.
Storage:
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of broth if needed
Slow-Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Slow-Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken is a cozy, hands-off dinner made with tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich, ranch-seasoned cream sauce. It’s perfect over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes for an easy family meal.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 packet ranch seasoning mix
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup chicken broth
8 oz cream cheese, cubed
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp parsley (fresh or dried), for garnish
Instructions
1. Add chicken breasts to the slow cooker in a single layer.
2. Sprinkle ranch seasoning and garlic powder evenly over the chicken.
3. Pour in the cream of chicken soup and chicken broth; spread gently to cover most of the chicken.
4. Top with cubed cream cheese and butter (no need to stir yet).
5. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until chicken is tender and cooked through.
6. Stir the sauce until smooth and creamy. Leave chicken whole or shred it in the slow cooker.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
For extra creamy sauce, shred the chicken and stir it back into the sauce before serving.
Serving ideas: rice, egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or on toasted buns as sliders.
Swap options: cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup works well. Use reduced-fat cream cheese for a lighter version.
Storage: refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days. Reheat gently with a splash of broth to loosen the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~420 |
| Protein | ~34g |
| Carbs | ~8g |
| Fat | ~28g |
| Fiber | ~1g |
| Sodium | ~780mg |
Values are estimates and may vary.
Final Thoughts
This Slow-Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken is everything comfort food should be: warm, easy, and incredibly satisfying. Whether you’re feeding a busy family or prepping meals ahead of time, this recipe is sure to become a dependable favorite you’ll come back to again and again.