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
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
Here’s what you need to make this dish:
- 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, here’s a recipe.
- Noodles – you’ll need about 6 oz (or half a box) so use whatever you have on hand or your favorite.
TOOLS FOUND ON AMAZON TO HELP YOU:
- 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 CHICKEN DINNERS IN YOUR LIFE? TRY THESE:
- Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo
- Creamy Italian Crock Pot Chicken
- Crock Pot Salsa Chicken
- Crockpot King Ranch Chicken
Creamy Ranch Slow Cooker Chicken
Ingredients
- 1-1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 8 oz. cream cheese softened & cubed
- 2 cans "cream of" soup I use Cream of Onion or Cream of Chicken
- 1 packet Ranch seasoning mix
- 6 oz noodles cooked
Instructions
- Trim your chicken breasts and lay into the 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.
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.
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Originally published February 15, 2012
This looks so good, can’t wait to try it!
Yummy, I love using ranch dressing packets in recipes, have made some pretty great recipes with them and this one looks equally as good. Can’t wait to try it.
http://www.thejohnslife.com/BabycakesBlog/
Yummy! I’ve tried the Italian one… but not the ranch! It sounds delicious!And Thanks for sharing it at Six Sister’s Link Party! We hope to see you again next week!
-The Sisters
This was a delicious, easy, quick supper for our family tonight! This will have its place in our rotation!
Did you put water in it when you added the soup??
No
This was so easy and super tasty/filling! Will for sure make again!
Thank you, Kylee!
Is it okay to cook on high for half the time?
You can – you always run the risk of chicken drying out in the slow cooker when you cook on high, but it hasn’t been an issue for me.
So excited for this! Can I use frozen chicken?
Slow cookers don’t get up to a safe temp quick enough so there is possibility for bacteria…but a lot of people use frozen anyway. I used to & was always fine, but I don’t anymore. Let me know how you like it!
When do you add the pasta to the crockpot. I’m making this right now and I’m newish to using the Crock-Pot so…
You cook the noodles separately & either stir them in at the end or just serve the chicken over noodles.
Have you tried this with an instant pot?
I have not yet.
Ashley, PC chicken and pasta of your choice at high for 2 min, natural release 5 min. Drain water, then add the Cream Cheese and soups.
All will be cooked perfectly.
Can I use the ranch “dip” mix instead?
Yeah, I think it’s just a bit thicker, but it probably doesn’t matter here.
If I make double the recipe would I just double the ingredients?
Yes
I make this a lot and throw in crispy bacon pieces and about 10 minutes before serving I put a cup of frozen peas. It’s delicious! I like it with mushrooms but our family is split on tha 😕😕😕
Great additions!
When you add your ranch packet , do you just add the powder or do you mix the packet up first and then add?
Just add the powder 🙂
I did my chicken first in the crock pot with chicken broth about 4 hours then took my forks and shredded the chicken breast. Used all the ingredients in the recipe. I didn’t have noodles the recipe called for, so I used the elbow needles, added a can of original rotel for a little kick. It was delicious 🤤.
Ooh Rotel – I like it! Thanks so much for reporting back 🙂
Sounds yummy will be trying this one day for sure and if people are really worried bout the soups they make low sodium and no salt ones now
This has been a family favorite for decades! We have always used dry onion soup mix along with cream of mushroom soup with extra mushrooms so I am really looking forward to making it with ranch dressing mix for a change. I also like the idea in one of the other comments to add peas about 10 minutes before it is done.
This is a must try recipe!! So quick & easy!!
Thank you!
Does this freeze well?
It should, without the pasta.
Can you use light cream cheese instead?
Sure 🙂