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Creamy Ranch Slow Cooker Chicken

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Five ingredient, very simple Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken can quickly be thrown together in the crock pot for a meal the whole family will love!

creamy ranch chicken in a white bowl

Creamy Ranch Slow Cooker Chicken

I first posted this recipe in February 2012 with one sucky picture and nothing about it so I figured it was time for a revamp.

Slow Cooker Honey Bourbon Chicken has been my most popular post for over a year so I’m pretty sure the world likes slow cooker chicken recipes. I get it, they’re easy and family friendly. They’re some of my favorites, too.

chicken cutlets laid out with a slow cooker

Ingredients

Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe, why you need them, and possible substitutions. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card with measurements.

  • Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts. A pound to a pound and a half will do.
  • Cream Cheese – I like to use full fat cream cheese but I’m sure you could use the lightened up version. Either way, make sure that it’s room temperature and cubed. It helps it to melt in the slow cooker.
  • Two cans of “Cream of” Soup – I used one Cream of Chicken and one Cream of Onion. You can use whatever you like – onion, chicken, celery, mushroom, etc. I also get that some of you don’t like to use the “cream of” soups (they’re high in sodium, I know). I don’t mind using them every once in awhile, but if you’re opposed (or don’t have any on hand), you can make your own with this cream soup substitute recipe.
  • Ranch Seasoning Mix – You’ll need one packet. Again, if you don’t like using store bought, you can make your own.
  • Noodles – you’ll need about 6 oz (or half a box) so use whatever you have on hand or your favorite.

overhead shot of creamy ranch chicken in a slow cooker

Tools you’ll need

  • Set ‘n Forget Slow Cooker – Maybe you have an actual “Crock Pot” brand slow cooker, but I have and love this Hamilton Beach version and I love that after the set cooking time is done, it automatically switches over to “warm”. Great for my long days.
  • Spoon & Ladle Set – I have and love this set. It’s heat safe, easy to clean, and perfect for breaking up the cooking chicken, then spooning it over the noodles.
  • Colander with a handle – I thought a handle on my colander was unnecessary when my husband bought me one but I love it. It’s easier to safely drain noodles without getting a steam bath.

overhead shot of bowtie noodles in white bowls

Can you put frozen chicken in the slow cooker?

Can you? Yes. Should you? No. A slow cooker cooks slowly (hence the name). It doesn’t bring meat up to a safe temperature quickly enough to start from frozen. Will it kill you? Probably not, but now that I know better, I always start with thawed chicken.

fork full of creamy ranch chicken made in the crockpot

Need more crockpot dinner recipes? Try these:

bowl of creamy ranch chicken topped with cheese & parsley

Creamy Ranch Slow Cooker Chicken

Melissa Williams | Persnickety Plates
Five ingredient, very simple Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken can quickly be thrown together in the crock pot for a meal the whole family will love!
4.78 from 309 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 331 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1-1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened & cubed
  • 20.5 ounces "cream of" soup two (2) 10.5 ounce cans of Cream of Onion or Cream of Chicken
  • 2 Tablespoons ranch seasoning mix or 1 packet
  • 6 ounces noodles cooked

Instructions
 

  • Trim your chicken breasts and lay into a 6 quart slow cooker.
  • Cover the chicken with two cans of soup and ranch seasoning mix. Place your cubed cream cheese on top.
  • Cover and cook on low for approximately 5 hours, stirring occasionally. I broke up the chicken as it cooked.
  • Cook whatever noodles you like and pour them into the chicken mixture. Or keep them separate and ladle the chicken mixture over noodles.
  • We topped ours with a shredded Italian cheese blend and freshly ground black pepper.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 331kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 27gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 134mgSodium: 335mgPotassium: 497mgSugar: 1gVitamin A: 795IUVitamin C: 1.3mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 0.6mg

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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Originally published February 15, 2012

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  1. Lindsey says

    I don’t have cream cheese, just cream cheese spread…. will that work? or can I just make it without the cream cheese?

    • Melissa Williams says

      Spread has a higher water content so it doesn’t behave the same. If you sip the cream cheese it’ll be an entirely different dish…

  2. Kristi says

    Can I shred a rotisserie chicken instead?

    • Melissa Williams says

      Sure but reduce cook time since you’ll just be melting everything together.

  3. Alexandra Andersson says

    5 stars
    I made this last night, and it was excellent! My husband, our 2 teenagers, and I ate it right up. Next time I make it, I might try cream of broccoli soup, or just add a green vegetable. It wouldn’t be necessary for flavor (cream of chicken was perfect) maybe just for a little color.

  4. Rich says

    5 stars
    Simple, with few items needed. It tasted very good. I might try chicken tenders next time., rather than breasts.

  5. Rich says

    5 stars
    How would you reheat leftovers? Add a little liquid and reheat in the micorwave?

    • Melissa Williams says

      I don’t usually add anything but if you want to thin it a bit, you could add some milk. And yes, I just do the microwave.

  6. BETTY says

    I cannot use soups is there a way to substitute with broth and a white sauce thickeninger?

  7. Skylar says

    Can I cook on high to reduce the time?

    • Melissa Williams says

      Yes, but you run the risk of it drying out.

  8. Bobbi Jo says

    Will it hurt to leave on for longer period on low.. I work and my crockpot goes to warm after a minimum of 8 hrs.

    • Melissa Williams says

      You just run the risk of it drying out if it goes too long.

  9. Whitney says

    Is this 5 hours on low or high heat?

  10. Karen says

    Can I use boneless chicken thighs?

  11. Sheena says

    5 stars
    I’m making this right now and it looks and smells delicious!! However, it’s starting to burn a little around the edges of the crock pot. I’ve had it on low the whole time and it’s only been cooking for 4 hours. Should it be ok to turn it off, or just down to “warm”?

    • Melissa Williams says

      Do you have a meat thermometer? As long as the chicken hits an internal temp of 165°, you’re good. Slow cookers run hot these days so 4 hours on low might have been enough (assuming you started with fresh, not frozen, chicken).

  12. Kelsi dye says

    Could you cook this on high for a shorter amount of time? Or maybe in a stock pot instead?

    • Melissa Williams says

      You run the risk of the chicken drying out if you cook it on high. A stock pot would work.

  13. Charity says

    If I double the recipe will 2 packages of cream cheese be too much?

    • Melissa Williams says

      It should be ok if you’re doubling everything else. You could do 1.5 bricks to be safe.

  14. Lindsey says

    Can you freeze leftovers?

    • Melissa Williams says

      Cream sauces don’t always freeze well, they can separate when reheated, but it should be ok. I would keep separate from the noodles if you plan on freezing the chicken.

  15. Bridget says

    What if I only used one can of cream of chicken soup and two packets of cream cheese will that matter?

    • Melissa Williams says

      Yes, it matters 🙂 It’ll change the consistency & flavor.

  16. Michelle says

    What a great set it and forget it meal using pantry staples! Made by request for my daughter and she and her friend devoured it. My husband added buffalo sauce to his and loved it too. Will definitely make again!

  17. Michelle says

    It seams a little thick, do we not use any chicken broth

  18. Patty says

    4 stars
    My family request it monthly. I find it easy and yes delicious!

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