What ranch chicken is
Slow cooker ranch chicken is a layer-and-cook dinner: chicken, potatoes and carrots under a creamy sauce flavored with a ranch seasoning packet. It is comforting, mild and popular with kids, and it makes a complete meal in one pot.
Ingredients
This serves about six in a 4-quart or larger slow cooker.
- 2 pounds chicken tenderloins, breasts or boneless thighs
- 1 pound baby potatoes, halved (or larger potatoes cut into quarters or smaller chunks)
- 2 cups baby carrots
- 1 can (about 10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup (cream of mushroom or celery also work)
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 packet (about 1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
- Fresh parsley, optional
How to make it
- Layer the potatoes and carrots in the bottom of the slow cooker, then the chicken on top. Vegetables go on the bottom because they cook more slowly and sit closer to the heat.
- Stir the soup, milk and ranch seasoning together in a small bowl and pour it over everything.
- Cover and cook until the chicken reads 165°F and the potatoes are tender. A typical range is about 4 hours on high or 6 to 8 hours on low, depending on your cooker and how large the potato pieces are.
- Stir to coat everything in the sauce, garnish if you like, and serve.
Can you put raw chicken in the crockpot?
Yes, raw chicken is normally placed straight into the slow cooker without browning. Cook it until a thermometer reads 165°F in the thickest part. Make sure the cooker is at least about half full so it heats evenly, and keep the lid on rather than lifting it often, since each peek adds cooking time.
Can you use frozen chicken?
It is better not to. Food safety guidance generally advises thawing chicken in the refrigerator first, because frozen meat can take too long to heat through in a slow cooker. Thaw the chicken fully, then cook as directed. If you forgot to thaw it, a stovetop or pressure cooker method may be a safer choice for that night.
Variations
- Shredded ranch chicken: leave out the potatoes and carrots, cook the chicken in the sauce, shred it and serve on rolls or over rice.
- No canned soup: replace the soup with a mix of cream cheese melted into some chicken broth, or simply use more milk plus the ranch packet. The sauce will be thinner, so you might add a cornstarch slurry near the end.
- More vegetables: add green beans or broccoli near the end so they do not turn mushy.
- Different cuts: tenderloins cook fastest, while thighs are more forgiving if the meal runs long.
Other slow-cooked meal ideas
If you enjoy sauce-and-go chicken dinners, our slow cooker honey garlic chicken is a sweet and savory option over rice, and our slow cooker Mexican chicken gives you a shredded base for tacos and bowls. Other popular slow-cooked meals include chili, pulled pork, pot roast and soups.
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within two hours of cooking and use them within about three days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove until steaming hot. Cooked potatoes and a creamy sauce can change texture when frozen, so this dish is generally better eaten fresh from the fridge than frozen after cooking.