Description
Crock pot creamy ranch chicken delivers comfort straight from midwestern kitchens, blending simple ingredients into a soul-warming meal. Tender chicken bathed in rich, zesty sauce promises pure satisfaction for dinner enthusiasts seeking effortless home cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1.5 to 2 pounds / 680 to 907 grams)
- 1 cup turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
Dairy and Cheese:
- 8 ounces (227 grams) block of cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
Flavor and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 envelope dry ranch seasoning mix
- 1 can (10.75 ounces / 305 grams) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 ounce (14 grams) penne pasta (or pasta of choice)
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the cooking vessel by generously coating a 5 or 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Nestle raw chicken breasts into the bottom of the slow cooker in a single layer.
- Create a creamy sauce by whisking softened cream cheese, ranch seasoning, cream of chicken soup, and milk in a mixing bowl. Beat thoroughly until the mixture becomes mostly smooth, allowing a few small cream cheese chunks to remain.
- Enhance the sauce by folding in Parmesan cheese, vibrant red bell pepper pieces, and crispy crumbled turkey bacon.
- Gently pour the seasoned sauce over the chicken, ensuring even coverage throughout the slow cooker.
- Secure the lid and slow cook on high temperature for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, until chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Extract the fully cooked chicken and transform it into tender shreds using two forks or an electric hand mixer.
- Reintroduce the shredded chicken into the sauce, stirring to create a uniform consistency.
- Simultaneously, prepare pasta according to package instructions, then drain completely.
- Incorporate the pasta into the chicken mixture, coating each strand with the rich, creamy sauce.
- Allow the dish to meld flavors by cooking on high for an additional 15-20 minutes.
- Plate the creamy ranch chicken and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh herb flavor.
Notes
- Customize the ranch seasoning by making your own blend for a fresher, more personalized flavor profile that controls sodium and additives.
- Use low-fat cream cheese and reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup to create a lighter version of this creamy dish without sacrificing taste.
- Swap chicken breasts with chicken thighs for a more tender and juicy result, especially if you prefer darker meat with richer flavor.
- Convert this recipe into a gluten-free option by using gluten-free pasta and checking that ranch seasoning mix is certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours (high) or 6-8 hours (low
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg