This easy dump and go Crockpot Ranch Chicken is the perfect meal for a busy weeknight! You only need 4 simple ingredients and a few minutes to throw everything in the slow cooker.
The Best Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken
You’re here because you’re looking for quick and easy dinner ideas. And friends, this Crockpot Ranch Chicken is just that! It is the ultimate easy dinner that your entire family is going to love because it’s fast, flavorful, and SO easy.
You’ll throw just four simple ingredients into a slow cooker and by the afternoon magic happens! The chicken is perfectly tender and has an incredible tangy herb flavor from the ranch seasoning. You’ll mix in some cream cheese (because why not?!) and it becomes even creamier! Husbands, wives, children, grandparents..basically everyone are going to be obsessed with this recipe!
This recipe is quick to put together and the result is amazing. Serve it with some rice or mashed potatoes and dinner is ready to go!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here are the reasons why we love this Crockpot Ranch Chicken.
- 5 minute prep: You can get all of the ingredients in the Crockpot before you head out the door for the day. It’s so quick and easy.
- The easiest recipe ever. There’s no chopping, slicing, or dicing. All you have to do is put the ingredients in the Crockpot.
- Simple ingredients: Just 4 ingredients, making this recipe budget friendly and EASY!
- It’s freezer-friendly. You can freeze the ingredients together in a plastic bag BEFORE you put them in the Crockpot and AFTER. Which makes this meal even faster! We like to double the batch and freeze the cooked chicken for another meal.
Recipe Ingredients
Here is what you need to make this easy slow cooker recipe:
- Chicken: Boneless breasts or thighs work best for this recipe because you don’t have to worry about picking the bones out once the chicken is cooked.
- Salt and Pepper
- Cream of Chicken Soup: This is our favorite soup to use for this recipe because it adds more chicken flavor and creates the perfect creaminess.
- Ranch Seasoning Packet: These little packets come in so handy because they are a great way to add flavor in just one simple step.
- Cream Cheese: This is added at the end to make the chicken super creamy!
Is it OK to Put Raw Chicken in a Slow Cooker?
It’s ok to put raw chicken in a slow cooker and there’s no need to worry about it as long as the chicken is cooked thoroughly when the recipe is done. You can use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temp of the chicken is at least 165°F.
How to Make Crockpot Ranch Chicken
This recipe could not be easier and if you have 5 minutes, you can make this recipe!
First, season the chicken with some salt and pepper. Then place them in the crockpot.
Then add the soup and ranch seasoning. Spread the ingredients so that the chicken is covered.
Put the cover on and let the Crockpot do the work! Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
Shortly before serving, mix in the cream cheese. Then put the lid back on so the cream cheese softens.
Lastly, shred the chicken. Remove the lid, shred the chicken, and mix everything to create your delicious creamy chicken dinner.
Serve the chicken with your favorite sides. We love to serve it with our Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes!
Tips & Variations
Keep this recipe as simple as it is or you can mix it up a bit, too! Here are some different ways we like to add other ingredients and a few helpful tips.
- Use a different soup. We suggest sticking to a creamy soup, though and Cream of Broccoli or Cream of Mushroom are great suggestions.
- Add green veggies at the end. You could stir in some vegetables at the end of the cooking process (when you add the cream cheese). Green peas and broccoli are great ones to try.
- Add a garnish. And chopped green onions, parsley, or cilantro on top when serving for color and flavor.
- Use hot sauce. Add a little hot sauce on top for a touch of heat!
What to Serve with This Recipe
We could eat this with a fork right out of the slow cooker! But when it does make it to the table, here is what we like to serve with it.
- Creamy and rich mashed potatoes: We have Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Classic Mashed Potatoes, and Sweet Mashed Potatoes to choose from.
- Serve it on top of biscuits: We love to pile it on top of our soft and buttery Herb Drop Biscuits.
- A simple side of rice: You can make regular rice, cauliflower rice, or Cilantro Rice…both are equally delicious with the creamy shredded chicken.
- Veggies: Just about any veggies would be good alongside this ranch chicken, but our Roasted Broccoli or Bacon Brussels Sprouts would be delicious!
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. And then you can reheat any leftovers on the stovetop or the microwave.
Can I Freeze This?
Yes, you can freeze Crockpot Ranch Chicken! You can put any leftover shredded chicken in a freezer-friendly bag and then keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Always thaw the ingredients in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Also, you can freeze the ingredients before they are cooked. If you like to meal prep, try it this way! You can put the chicken, soup, and ranch seasoning in a plastic bag and freeze it just like that. Then, thaw the ingredients, put them in the Crockpot, and follow the instructions on the recipe card.
Crockpot Ranch Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup
- 1 1 oz packet ranch seasoning
- 8 oz cream cheese cubed
Instructions
- Season chicken breasts with a little salt and pepper and place them into the crockpot.
- Pour the soup over the chicken, spreading it to cover the meat. Sprinkle the ranch seasoning over the top of the soup.
- Cook on high 4-6 hours or low 6-8 hours.
- 10 to 20 minutes before serving, add the cubed cream cheese and cover crockpot with the lid. Remove lid and use 2 forks to shred the chicken, mixing it with the cream cheese.
- Serve immediately or keep crockpot on warm until ready.
