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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Need more crockpot dinner recipes? Try these:
- Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo
- Creamy Italian Crock Pot Chicken
- Crock Pot Salsa Chicken
- Crockpot King Ranch Chicken
Creamy Ranch Slow Cooker Chicken
Video
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.1-1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Cover the chicken with two cans of soup and ranch seasoning mix. Place your cubed cream cheese on top.20.5 ounces "cream of" soup, 2 Tablespoons ranch seasoning mix, 8 ounces cream cheese
- 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.6 ounces noodles
- We topped ours with a shredded Italian cheese blend and freshly ground black pepper.
Notes
- You can use frozen chicken in the slow cooker—but it’s not recommended.
- Slow cookers heat gradually and may not bring frozen meat to a safe temp fast enough.
Nutrition
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.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag me on Instagram @melissa_pplates so I can see!Originally published February 15, 2012
I have made this many! times. I hate to Cook so love these quick and easy recipes with minimal ingredients. My husband loves it because he does all the cooking and this is one I make to give him a night off. Lol.
I highly recommend this! Also, your dill pickle slow cooker recipe is another favorite. Served with mash potatoes. Yummy 😋!!!
Oh I love that! If you could leave a review on the soup, too, I would very much appreciate it 🙂
This stuff is so addictive I also serve it with spinach
Love the spinach addition.
This will be my next try 🤩
Thank you for sharing ♥️ and happy 41th, i wad just 40
This sounds easy and delicious, and happy birthday wishes to you!
Thanks, Beth!
Hi , I’m keen to make this recipe but Im Having trouble getting ranch seasoning
Can it be left out or something else substituted
You can make it yourself! But it really is the star of the dish, so you don’t want to skip it.
Can you use frozen chicken? I forgot to thaw mine out.
I don’t recommend it. Because the slow cooker heats slowly, it won’t get to a safe temp quick enough. If you have an hour, put the chicken (in the package) in a bowl of cold water to thaw. That said, plenty of people will do it & tell you it’s fine 🙂
I cook from frozen a lot. But it also cooks for about 8-9 hours while I’m at work. I usually cook on warm and I’ve never had an issue with the chicken not being cooked.
This recipe is delicious! I served it over one of my favorite gluten free pastas. Thank you!
You’re welcome!
Hi, great recipe, excited to try it. How many does it feed approximately?
I say 4 🙂
Can I cook this on high for 4 hours? I forgot to thaw out the chicken early enough so I won’t be able to have it ready on time unless if I cook it on high.
You can, just keep an eye on it if you can. All the slow cookers seem to run hotter these days and you don’t want it to dry out.
I made this recipe yesterday and it was delicious. It was so incredibly creamy. This will be in my rotation for sure. Thank you for sharing this recipe
You’re welcome! Thanks for letting me know 🙂
I made this!
But, I cut my chicken into small pieces before putting them in the crockpot.
I also added about 1/4 – 1/2 cup of half and half because I thought it would be too dry and burn in the crockpot.
I was glad that I did because it turned out perfect.
I cooked mine on low for about 3-31/2 hours and served it with a side of spinach!
YUM!!!
I would make this again!
This recipe is easy and awesome! Perfect mix of ingredients! I like to add just a couple tablespoons of bacon bits sometimes just for an added flare. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
You’re welcome! Thanks for reporting back ❤️
Hi, I’d like to make this and I have two 10.5 oz cans of condensed chicken soup – is that the correct kind? Or should it not be condensed? Thank you
Yes, I believe most “cream of” soups are condensed 🙂
Can you add dry noodles to the crockpot?
I haven’t done it with this recipe. The sauce is pretty thick and I think it may need more liquid.
This sounds delicious, any changes if I used boneless/skineless thighs instead of breasts?
Nope, should be the same. Let me know how you like it 🙂