This Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken is one of my families favorite go to meals! This recipe is so versatile and there are so many different ways you can serve it. This meal only takes a few ingredients and minutes of prep, let the crockpot do the work, and you have delicious creamy ranch chicken.
Ranch is one of our favorite flavors in our house. I often use dry ranch dressing mix to season my recipes. And the great thing is, it goes well with almost anything and also can be made into almost an endless number of dishes so that you can please just about everyone in the family! This dish is not spicy and your kids will gobble it right up.
Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken can be served by itself, but is super delicious in meals like tacos, pizza toppings, on salads, sandwiches, wraps, and so much more. This crockpot chicken is delicious, family friendly for dinner, and also perfect for a party. (See all of my serving ideas below!
For more easy chicken recipes, make sure to check out my shredded chicken ideas here and my easy baked chicken ideas here!
Recipe Notes
This recipe is super simple and easy. Even the most inexperienced in the kitchen can put this together and have it turn out beautifully. I will share a couple of tips here I use to get the best result preparing the chicken, but make sure and hop down to get the full recipe in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Ingredients
This recipe couldn’t be easier with just 4 simple ingredients!
- Chicken– I use chicken breast, but boneless, skinless chicken thighs will also work really well
- Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning– or substitute my homemade ranch seasoning
- Chicken broth– sub water in a pinch, but broth has more flavor
- Cream cheese– I use regular cream cheese, you can substitute low fat cream cheese as well. Fat free doesn’t work well since it doesn’t melt smoothly.
How to Make Creamy Ranch Chicken in the Slow Cooker
Step 1: Place chicken breast or chicken thighs in the slow cooker
Step 2: Cover with ranch seasoning mix and add chicken broth. Cook until done.
Step 3: Shred chicken with forks or a mixer.
Step 4: Mix in softened cream cheese to make the ranch chicken extra creamy.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t overcook the chicken– Chicken does not need to cook for an extra long amount of time in the slow cooker. Doing so can produce dry, or chewy chicken.
Though the time will vary based on the size of your slow cooker and the temperature and thickness of your chicken, a general rule of thumb, is to not cook chicken breast any more than 4 hours on low or chicken thighs more than 6 hours on low. - Soften the cream cheese– To get the cream cheese fully mixed and incorporated into the ranch chicken without lumps, make sure that it is completely soft before you mix it in. You can use one of these methods:
- Leave it out- Take it out a few hours ahead of time and let it sit on the counter
- Microwave it- Place the cheese (without packaging) on a microwave safe plate and microwave in 20 second increments until soft.
- Crockpot- Place the cold cream cheese on top of the warm chicken in the crockpot. Without stirring, place the lid on the slow cooker and let it sit in the pot for 5-10 minutes. Then remove the top and stir.
- Shredding the chicken– My favorite way of shredding chicken after cooking it is with my hand mixer. It is so easy and takes about a minute to shred. You can also use a fork if you prefer.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do, try some of these other variations for fun new flavor options.
- Chicken Bacon Ranch– Make recipe as directed. Once done crumble crispy bacon crumbles over the top. I highly recommend my homemade bits! You can also add cheddar cheese for more flavor!
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Ranch Chicken– Make recipe as directed. Once done, stir in 1/4-1/2 cup of prepared buffalo sauce to the chicken until combined.
- Slow Cooker Chipotle Ranch Chicken– Make recipe as directed. Once done, add in diced chipotle peppers in adobo, along with a couple of spoonfuls of the sauce. Add more or less to preference.
- Pulled Ranch Chicken– This is a non-creamy (dairy free) version of slow cooker ranch chicken
How to Serve Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken
When your chicken has finished cooking and your have shredded it, there are lots of different ways to serve it. You can serve it with traditional sides or make it low carb and gluten free for all dietary needs.
Ways to Serve Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken
- Over Rice- This would be super tasty with Rice Pilaf, or Jasmine Rice, Or Quinoa
- With Roasted Butternut Squash
- Ranch Smashed Potatoes
- Mashed Potatoes
- On top of Baked Potatoes
- In a taco shell or tortillas
- As the meat topper in Nachos
- Over egg noodles
Low Carb Serving Options for Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken
- On Top of a Salad
- Sautéed Spinach
- Over Cauliflower Rice
- With Spaghetti Squash
- Over Zoodles- Spiralized zucchini
- Roasted Vegetables
Sides to Serve with Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken
- Baby Carrots – Raw or roasted
- Asparagus
- Broccoli Slaw
- Antipasto Salad
- Roasted Green Beans
Let me know in the comments if you have any serving ideas that you love that I missed. I would love to give it a try next time I make it.
Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken Leftovers
You can freeze this chicken in an air tight container for up to one month. You can also store the leftovers in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Leftover Recipes
I love this chicken because you can add it to so many different recipes as the main protein. This chicken is fine by itself but adds extra flavor when added to a few of my favorite recipes:
- Ranch Chicken Tacos – Change up your taco night by using ranch chicken.
- Ranch Chicken Chopped Salad – I love a good salad, loaded with veggies. Chop up some of your favorite veggies, add a hard boiled egg, cheese, ranch chicken, bacon and drizzle with ranch dressing.
- Ranch Chicken Pita – Place your chicken on top of pita bread, add lettuce, tomatoes, olives, and feta, and drizzle with ranch dressing.
- Ranch Chicken Burrito Bowls – This is my favorite way when serving a large crowd. Pile all of your options inside a bowl. I usually use romaine lettuce, black beans, rice, cheddar cheese, diced pepper, corn, avocado and of course top with ranch chicken drizzled with ranch dressing.
- Bacon Ranch Stuffed Baked Potatoes – Place chicken, cheese, bacon on top of a baked potato. Broil for a few minutes to get to toppings crispy. Then top with a dollop of sour cream. YUM!
This should get you started with some really great ideas! And if you need some ranch dressing to drizzle over the top of these dishes, my homemade ranch is easy to make. Also I have a dairy free ranch too for those sensitive to dairy or on a Whole30 diet.
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Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breast
- 1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning, or two tablespoons homemade ranch seasoning, 1 teaspoon reserved
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
Instructions
- Pour the chicken broth into the crock pot. Lay the chicken breast on top, then top with the ranch seasoning (reserve 1 teaspoon.) Cover and cook on high for 2.5 hours.
- At the end of the cook time, remove the chicken and shred it.
- Place the shredded chicken the reserved ranch seasoning, and cream cheese back into the crock pot and stir until everything is evenly combined.
- Serve on top of rice, in pita pockets, tacos, stuffed in baked potatoes, or any of the other ideas mentioned in this post!
Recipe Notes
- Ranch — You can use Hidden Valley Ranch mix or my homemade Ranch Seasoning. If you are gluten free or dairy free you will want to use my homemade recipe.
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- Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days
- Freeze for up to a month
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- If you are gluten free, use homemade ranch seasoning and ensure the chicken broth you choose is gluten free.
- This is a naturally low carb meal.
Nutrition Information
Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in the slow cooker?
I prefer to cook chicken breast on high for 2.5-3 hours. Chicken thighs are more forgiving and can cook on low for longer and stay tender and moist.
Does chicken get more tender the longer you slow cook it?
Chicken can be incredibly tender when slow cooking, however, you can cook chicken too long in the slow cooker resulting in meat that still falls apart, but is very tough to chew.
Do you have to brown chicken before putting in slow cooker?
You do not have to brown chicken before putting it in a slow cooker. Browning the chicken can add additional flavor and texture to the dish, but is not going to make a huge overall difference in the end result.
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