If you love rich, flavorful, and easy-to-make comfort food, Tasty Creamy Ranch Chicken deserves a place in your weekly dinner rotation. This dish combines juicy chicken breasts with a tangy, herby ranch-seasoned cream sauce that melts into every bite. The result is a satisfying, creamy chicken recipe that can be paired with pasta, rice, or vegetables, making it a versatile choice for weeknight meals or even family gatherings. What makes this dish stand out is how quickly it comes together—using pantry staples and just a few fresh ingredients. With minimal effort, you get a restaurant-quality meal on the table without stress.
Ingredients
To achieve the best flavor and creamy texture, measure your ingredients precisely:
- Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ½ pounds / 680 g)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- Creamy Ranch Sauce
- 1 packet (1 ounce / 28 g) ranch seasoning mix (or homemade equivalent)
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter texture)
- ½ cup (115 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Cheese and Garnish
- 1 cup (115 g) shredded cheddar cheese (optional for extra richness)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
- Lightly season with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
- Place chicken breasts in the skillet in a single layer.
- Cook for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside. (They will finish cooking in the sauce.)
Step 3: Build the Creamy Ranch Sauce
- Reduce heat to medium.
- In the same skillet, add chicken broth, heavy cream, and cream cheese.
- Stir continuously until cream cheese melts and the mixture is smooth.
- Add ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix well.
Step 4: Simmer the Chicken in Sauce
- Return chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning sauce over each piece.
- Cover and simmer for 15–20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C).
- If desired, sprinkle shredded cheddar over the chicken in the last 5 minutes of cooking and cover until melted.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
- Once the sauce thickens and chicken is tender, remove from heat.
- Garnish with fresh parsley.
- Serve hot with sides of your choice.
Conservation and Storage
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring in a splash of broth or cream to maintain the sauce’s smooth consistency.
Variations
- Bacon Ranch Chicken: Add crumbled cooked bacon to the sauce for smoky depth.
- Veggie Boost: Stir in spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli for extra nutrition.
- Cheese Lovers’ Version: Use a mix of cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack for added gooeyness.
- Spicy Ranch Chicken: Mix in ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to give the sauce a kick.
- Slow Cooker Option: Place chicken and sauce ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 4–6 hours.
Serving Suggestions
- With Pasta: Pair with fettuccine or penne to soak up the creamy ranch sauce.
- With Rice: Serve over fluffy white rice or brown rice for a filling meal.
- With Vegetables: Pair with roasted green beans, asparagus, or steamed broccoli.
- With Potatoes: Try mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, or crispy roasted potatoes.
- With Bread: Serve with warm garlic bread or dinner rolls to scoop up extra sauce.
Tips for Perfecting the Dish
- Even Thickness: Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure they cook evenly.
- Homemade Ranch Mix: If you prefer, mix 1 tablespoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon dried dill, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and a pinch of salt for a homemade seasoning.
- Don’t Overcook: Use a meat thermometer to avoid dry chicken—165°F (74°C) is the perfect temperature.
- Sauce Thickness: For a thicker sauce, simmer uncovered for a few minutes before serving. For a thinner sauce, add extra broth.
- Fresh Garnish: Always finish with fresh herbs for a burst of flavor and color.
Conclusion
Tasty Creamy Ranch Chicken is the perfect combination of savory, tangy, and creamy flavors. With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe makes dinner simple yet indulgent. The creamy ranch sauce transforms ordinary chicken into a rich, flavorful main course that pairs well with countless sides. It’s versatile, customizable, and sure to please everyone at the table. Whether you serve it for a quick weeknight dinner or a comforting family meal, this dish guarantees satisfaction with every bite.
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Tasty Creamy Ranch Chicken
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Juicy chicken breasts smothered in a rich ranch-seasoned cream sauce. This easy one-skillet recipe is savory, tangy, and creamy—perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings.
Ingredients
Chicken
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ½ pounds / 680 g)
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
Creamy Ranch Sauce
1 packet (1 ounce / 28 g) ranch seasoning mix (or homemade equivalent)
1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter texture)
½ cup (115 g) cream cheese, softened
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cheese and Garnish
1 cup (115 g) shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Prepare Chicken
Pat chicken dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Sear Chicken
Place chicken in skillet, cook 5–6 minutes per side until golden.
Remove and set aside.
Build Sauce
Lower heat to medium. Add chicken broth, heavy cream, and cream cheese. Stir until smooth.
Mix in ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper.
Simmer Chicken
Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over the top.
Cover and simmer 15–20 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
Optional: Add cheddar during the last 5 minutes, cover until melted.
Finish
Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Pound chicken breasts to even thickness for consistent cooking.
For homemade ranch mix, combine dried parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt.
Simmer uncovered briefly to thicken sauce, or add broth for a thinner consistency.
Always let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving to lock in juices.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet / One-Pot
- Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: tasty creamy ranch chicken, creamy ranch chicken skillet, ranch chicken dinner recipe, easy creamy chicken, ranch chicken with cream sauce
