EASY CROCK POT RANCH CHICKEN

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 packet (1 oz) Ranch dressing seasoning mix
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup butter, melted (optional, but adds richness)

Optional Add-Ins:

• 1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup (for extra creaminess)
• 1/2 cup sour cream (stirred in after cooking)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
• Cooked bacon crumbles (for topping)
• Fresh chives or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

1. Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your crock pot. Don’t overcrowd! If you have a smaller crockpot, you might need to cut the chicken into smaller pieces.

Step 2: Add the Flavor

1. Sprinkle the Ranch dressing seasoning mix evenly over the chicken. Make sure every piece gets some love!

Step 3: Add the Liquid

1. Pour the chicken broth over the chicken. This will help keep the chicken moist and prevent it from drying out. If you’re using melted butter, drizzle it over the top now too.

Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection

1. Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. Cooking times can vary depending on your crock pot, so check the chicken for doneness. It should be easily shredded with a fork.

Step 5: Shred and Serve

1. Once the chicken is cooked through, use two forks to shred it directly in the crock pot.
2. If you’re adding cream of chicken soup, stir it in now until well combined.
3. Serve immediately, topped with your favorite toppings like sour cream, cheddar cheese, and bacon crumbles!

Making it Your Own: Variations & Tips

Spice it Up!

Want a little kick? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the Ranch seasoning, or stir in a tablespoon of your favorite hot sauce after shredding. You could even toss in some diced jalapenos before cooking. I personally love a little bit of heat!

Creamy Dreamy Chicken

For an extra creamy version, try adding a can of cream of chicken soup as mentioned in the ingredients. Stir it in after shredding the chicken for the best results. Alternatively, you could stir in some cream cheese for an even richer flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This Crock Pot Ranch Chicken is incredibly versatile! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Ranch Chicken Sandwiches: Pile the shredded chicken onto buns with lettuce, tomato, and a dollop of extra Ranch dressing.
• Ranch Chicken Tacos or Burritos: Use the chicken as a filling for tacos or burritos, along with your favorite toppings like salsa, guacamole, and cheese.
• Ranch Chicken Salad: Serve the chicken over a bed of lettuce with chopped vegetables and a light vinaigrette.
• Ranch Chicken Bowls: Create a healthy and satisfying bowl with the chicken, rice or quinoa, black beans, corn, and avocado.
• Ranch Chicken Baked Potatoes: Top a baked potato with the shredded chicken, cheese, sour cream, and bacon bits.

Troubleshooting Tips

Chicken is Dry: If you find the chicken is a bit dry after cooking, add a little more chicken broth or even a splash of milk or cream while shredding. You can also add a tablespoon of butter for extra moisture.

Sauce is Too Thin: If the sauce is too thin for your liking, you can thicken it by stirring in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) during the last 30 minutes of cooking on high.

Crock Pot Cooking Time: Remember that every crock pot is different. Always check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C). If it’s not quite there, continue cooking for a little longer.

Why I Love This Recipe

Honestly, what’s not to love? This Crock Pot Ranch Chicken is a lifesaver on busy weeknights. It requires minimal prep time, cooks itself, and is incredibly versatile. Plus, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, even with picky eaters. I often double the recipe so I have leftovers for lunches or easy meals throughout the week.

I also love that you can easily adapt this recipe to suit your own tastes. Want to add some veggies? Throw in some chopped onions, peppers, or even broccoli florets. Need to use up some leftover ingredients? This recipe is incredibly forgiving and can handle almost anything you throw at it. Think about trying it with other flavor combinations, like the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Crockpot Chicken & Potatoes, or even the Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken. So many possibilities!

Other Crock Pot Chicken Recipes You’ll Adore

If you’re a fan of easy crock pot chicken recipes, be sure to check out these other favorites:

• Crock Pot Ranch Chicken (You’re already here!)
• Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup: A hearty and flavorful soup perfect for chilly days.
• Crockpot Chicken And Rice: A classic comfort food dish that’s always a hit.
• Creamy Crockpot Butter Chicken: An irresistible Indian-inspired dish that’s surprisingly easy to make.

Final Thoughts & Enjoy!

This Crock Pot Ranch Chicken recipe is a winner in my book. It’s easy, delicious, and incredibly versatile. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different variations and toppings to make it your own. Happy cooking!

Easy Crock Pot Ranch Chicken

Amelia Chen-Morrison

This Crock Pot Ranch Chicken recipe is a lifesaver on busy weeknights. It requires minimal prep time, cooks itself, and is incredibly versatile. Serve it in sandwiches, tacos, or over rice for a quick and delicious meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 hours hrs

Total Time 7 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 400 kcal

Equipment

• Crock Pot or Slow Cooker
• Fork
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Knife
• Cutting board

Ingredients

  

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ¼ cup butter, melted optional
• ½ cup sour cream optional
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese optional
• Cooked bacon crumbles optional
• Fresh chives or parsley, chopped optional

Instructions

 

• Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your crock pot.
• Sprinkle the Ranch dressing seasoning mix evenly over the chicken.
• Pour the chicken broth over the chicken. If using melted butter, drizzle it over the top.
• Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. Check the chicken for doneness; it should be easily shredded with a fork.
• Once the chicken is cooked through, use two forks to shred it directly in the crock pot.
• If adding cream of chicken soup, stir it in now until well combined.
• Serve immediately, topped with your favorite toppings like sour cream, cheddar cheese, and bacon crumbles.

Notes

For an extra creamy version, try adding a can of cream of chicken soup after shredding the chicken. To spice it up, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or hot sauce. If the chicken is dry, add more chicken broth, milk, or cream while shredding. If the sauce is too thin, thicken it with a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) during the last 30 minutes of cooking on high. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.