Spicy Ranch Chicken is made right in the slow cooker with just 3 ingredients, making it the ultimate dump-and-set recipe. Juicy slow-cooked chicken is coated in spicy, zesty ranch seasoning, which pairs well with your favorite sides!
This 3-ingredient spicy ranch chicken has come to the rescue plenty of times over the years. It’s a crockpot meal that comes together in minutes and is hands-off until you’re ready to eat. A busy parent’s dream!
When I was at the grocery store, I saw that Hidden Valley makes a spicy ranch packet which I had never tired before. Turns out, it’s not overly spicy so it’s great for kids who can handle a bit of a kick, and it gives the chicken amazing flavor.
Pair it with sweet potato fries and some broccoli, or rice, pasta, or garlic mashed potatoes, and dinner is served. You could also shred the chicken and use it to make wraps, salads, and more.
It’s a dish you can’t go wrong with!
Crockpot Spicy Ranch Chicken
Why you’ll love this recipe
- The chicken is flavorful and not too spicy.
- It can be paired with a variety of sides.
- Make-ahead friendly!
- Can be made mild or extra spicy!
Helpful Tools
- Slow cooker
- Measuring cup
- Tongs
- My favorite kitchen tools
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.
Jump- Chicken breasts – Boneless skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of excess fat.
- Chicken stock – I use low-sodium chicken stock. There is enough sodium in the dressing mix.
- Dressing mix – You’ll need one packet (1 ounce/3 Tbsp) of this spicy ranch mix. If you can’t find the packet, it sometimes comes in a large shaker bottle.
- Salt and pepper – To taste.
How to make Spicy Ranch Chicken
This section shows you how to make this recipe, with process photos showing the steps to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
Jump- Step One: Sprinkle both sides of your chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Then, use half of the packet to sprinkle one side of the chicken breast.
- Step Two: Pour a cup of chicken stock into the slow cooker.
- Step Three: Lay the chicken, seasoned side down, into the slow cooker. Sprinkle the remaining ranch mix over the chicken.
- Step Four: Cover with the lid and cook on low for 4-6 hours or, if needed, high for 3.5-4 hours.
Every slow cooker runs differently. Times given are a general recommendation and should be tested in your own slow cooker and adjusted as needed.
How to serve it
The options are endless for side dishes, which makes it even easier to feed a crowd! We love it with air fryer twice baked potatoes, crispy potato wedges, or roasted potatoes. It also pairs well with buttery noodles, cilantro lime rice, and oven baked garlic green beans.
- If you can’t get your hands on spicy ranch mix, you can make homemade ranch seasoning and add a bit of cayenne.
- To make it extra spicy, add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the mix.
- This recipe also works with boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- Use discretion depending on the thickness of the chicken. It’s cooked and ready once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- To add a little creaminess to this dish, stir in a bit of cream cheese or sour cream at the end.
- Serve whole breasts or shred them once cooked.
Storage & Reheating
How to store leftovers
Keep leftover spicy ranch chicken in the fridge, covered in an airtight container, for up to 3 days.
Freezing Instructions
Once cooled, transfer the chicken to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and keep it frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before you reheat it.
Reheating Instructions
To keep it from drying out, I’d recommend the stove rather than the microwave, especially if your chicken breasts are thin. Add a splash of broth to a skillet and heat the chicken through.
Need more crockpot chicken recipes? Try these:
Slow Cooker Honey Bourbon Chicken
Slow Cooker Chicken Potatoes & Green Beans
Click here to view my entire collection of slow cooker recipes.
Three Ingredient Spicy Ranch Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup chicken stock I use low sodium
- 1 ounce spicy ranch seasoning mix about 3 Tablespoons
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Trim your chicken breasts and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- In the pot of your slow cooker, add in one cup of chicken stock.1 cup chicken stock
- Sprinkle half of the the packet of spicy ranch dressing onto one side of the chicken, then lay the chicken seasoned side down into the slow cooker.1 ounce spicy ranch seasoning mix
- Sprinkle the remaining ranch mix over the chicken.salt & pepper
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 4-6 hours.
Notes
- One 1oz packet of spicy ranch seasoning mix is about 3 Tablespoons.
- If you can’t find the spicy ranch mix (Hidden Valley usually has it in the dressing aisle), you can make homemade ranch seasoning and add a bit of cayenne.
- This recipe also works with boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- Cook times will vary – once the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, it is done.
- To add a little creaminess to this dish, stir in a bit of cream cheese or sour cream at the end.
- Serve whole breasts or shred them once cooked.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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 19, 2015
Did You Make This?
If you made this recipe, I’d love to know how it went in the comments section below.
You can also tag me on Instagram – @melissa_ppplates or share a pic in the Persnickety Plates Community Facebook group. I love seeing what you’ve tried!
Hi! Found you on Facebook’s Easy Slow Cooker page. I’m wondering if cooking this on low is an option?
Hi, happy to be found 🙂 Yes, I actually recommend LOW in most cases. This one needs an update!