Subscribe via RSS Feed

Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken

[ 19 ] April 7, 2012 |

To be honest, I don’t even know where I came across this recipe. I have it written on a {stained} index card stuck in my silverware drawer. It doesn’t really matter where it came from, because what matter is that it’s awesome. And easy. And delicious.

When our family transitioned to the Feingold diet, some of our favorite recipes had to be completely made over. If you Google, you’ll find hundreds of recipes for ‘homemade dry ranch mix’, but I happened to find an organic ranch dip mix at Whole Foods that has worked for our family. It’s called Simply Organic, and they actually have an entire line of great mixes and seasonings!

If you don’t have food sensitivities, feel free to use whatever ranch mix you have on hand, but turn the packet over and read see what’s hidden in the ingredients first, okay? And then Google Homemade Ranch Dip Mix to see how easy (and cheap) it is to make your own in bulk, or look for Simply Organic next time you’re shopping.

Print
Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken

Rating: 51

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Yield: 6 servings

Serving Size: approximately 1 chicken breast, 1/6 of sauce

Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken

A ridiculously easy and delicious slow cooker meal.

Gather

cooking spray
1/4 teaspoon paprika
2 pounds of chicken breasts (or thighs) - approximately 6 chicken breasts
1 packet of Simply Organic ranch dip. mix (the powdered stuff)
1/2 cup low-sodium (or organic) chicken broth
salt & pepper for sprinkling
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/3 cup half & half (could use fat free)
2 teaspoons cornstarch
3 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese

Step by step

  1. Spray slow cooker with cooking spray (this will save you some serious scrubbing later).
  2. Place chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker and sprinkle evenly with salt, pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon paprika.
  3. Dump one packet of ranch dip mix over chicken, and then pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth.
  4. Turn on slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-7 hours.
  5. Thirty minutes before serving, mix 1/3 cup half & half with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch. Pour into slow cooker and stir to mix. Sprinkle on 1/2 teaspoon oregano and 1 teaspoon parsley.
  6. Cube 3 ounces of cream cheese and distribute evenly in the liquid in the slow cooker. Replace lid and cook for an additional 20-25 minutes.
  7. Remove chicken to platter, stir sauce and pour over. Serve over pasta garnished with fresh parsley. For a low-carb meal, serve with a fresh green salad, or steamed vegetables.

Nutrition

WW PP 5; Calories 247; Fat 6.4g; Saturated Fat 3.5g; Cholesterol 102.6mg; Sodium 278mg; Potassium 404.9mg; Carbs 1.9g Fiber 0.1g; Sugar 0.8g; Protein 36.7g; Vitamin B-6 41.9%; Niacin 84.7%

Nutrition calculated for chicken and sauce only. Does not include pasta.

Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by ZipList Recipe Plugin
http://shrinkingkitchen.com/slow-cooker-creamy-ranch-chicken/

VCA_3424

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Category: Main Dish, Poultry, Slow Cooker

About Christy: Thirty-six year-old wife and mom to BJ (8) and Mia (4). I'm the editor at the Sisterhood, a Feingold mom, I really love to run (really), read, cook amazing things, and photography is my fledging passion. My motivation is motivating other people to realize they can do this whole weight-loss and exercise thing. I'm living proof! View author profile.

  • Rhsmith419

    this looks good but I DO use the Hidden Valley brand of buttermilk ranch mix (and even checked their website for the top 3 HVR mixes, original, dips & buttermilk) None of them have fat in the actual mix at all. 
    Have they hidden something from me on the labels??? I’d really like to know if that is the case. it lists the mix alone and then the prepared product as suggest (which I never use because cottage cheese and buttermilk with a little olive oil mayo tasted just as rich)
    I do try other brands like Penzy’s as well and there is something to be said for the traditional ranch taste in HVR ;) tradition and all. If they are leading me astray with their nutritional table I’d really like to know though!

    • Rhsmith419

      also I compared the two side by side and the nutrition label on the Organic mix has more sodium and a gram of protein and a gram of added sugar but otherwise is the same are the HVR buttermilk mix. so now I’m even more confused. LOL HELP! I really thought I had reading these labels down.

      • http://christy.shrinkingjeans.net Christy_TheSistherhood

        Hi! I’m not sure how I made that mistake! When I was looking online at HVR ingredients/nutrition (on Spark People) it said it had all of that fat. My mistake for not double-checking my facts before typing that out. I’m sorry!
        In the past, I totally would have used HVR for this recipe. The reason we don’t use HVR is that it has MSG and ‘natural flavors’.

        Sorry again! Next time I’ll check my facts more carefully!

        Christy Mensi
        Founder/Editor
        The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans
        http://shrinkingjeans.net
        Shrinking Kitchen
        http://shrinkingkitchen.com
        @shrinkingjeans
        @reallifeadv

        Check out our newest addition, the Shrinking Kitchen.
        Eat. Shrink. Drink.

        • Rhsmith419

          ah! yes I found mistakes on sparks daily unfortunately. I had to double check nearly everything. My Fitness Pal seems to have a few less but I am still careful. 

          I understand the MSG issue. Like I said I have switched around to other less chemically options myself. ;)

          thanks!

  • Nurse_krissy

    Made this tonight and got two-thumbs-up all the way around the table!  For you to fully appreciate this feat, I need to inform you that our table includes three moderately picky children – ages 10, 8, 8.  I had egg noodles on hand which lent this dish to a beef stroganoff feel.  Served with the roasted cauliflower since we got some in our Full Circle box this week, too!

  • Desert Diva

    Just wanted to stop by and let you know I made this tonight and my husband
    loved it. Me too. This is a keeper. We had enough left over for lunch tomorrow.
    I can’t wait…LOL. I added peas to the sauce just before serving as that is our
    favorite veggie. It was outstanding. Thank you for this marvelous recipe.

    • http://christy.shrinkingjeans.net Christy_TheSistherhood

      So glad you and your husband loved it!! Peas sound like a great addition!

  • Elaine

    Do you make this using fresh or frozen chicken? I couldn’t tell from the ingredients list. Thanks!

    • http://christy.shrinkingjeans.net Christy_TheSistherhood

      I’ve done both, Elaine. If you do use frozen chicken, you might add a little extra time. Maybe 30 minutes!

  • Megan

    Can milk be substituted for the half and half? I know it adds a fatty, creaminess to the sauce but I didn’t know if it would still come out the same. Thanks!

    • http://christy.shrinkingjeans.net Christy_TheSistherhood

      I think it would be fine, Megan. I know I’ve used milk in place of 1/2 & 1/2 in other recipes and they turned out fine! 

      Let me know how it goes :)

  • Stephanie Collingwood

    Total hit, even using low fat milk instead. Even the unimpressed husband was impressed. Thanks!

    • http://christy.shrinkingjeans.net Christy_TheSistherhood

      Awesome!! It always make me happy to know we can impress the toughest critics :)

  • Christine1219

    We are having our kitchen remodeled and I was searching for slow cooker recipes.  I was excited to come across this one.  I don’t know if I did something wrong, but it did not come out good at all.   No one in my family of 4 ate it.  It went into the trash :(

  • anonymous

    I cooked this but I must have done something wrong; although I followed the directions.  What size crockpot did you use?  I used my 6 qut and the 1/2 cup chicken broth didn’t cover the chicken.  I would use half of the ranch packet next time — it was a little too salty and garilicy for me.  I know every crock pot is different — I cooked mine for the time instructed and it made it dry. 

    • http://christy.shrinkingjeans.net Christy_TheSistherhood

      Sorry it didn’t turn out great. I have a 6 qt. slow cooker, and you’re right, they all run differently. I will make a note that if the slow cooker runs hot to decrease cooking time, and additionally add some extra liquid. Thanks so much for your feedback! I appreciate it :)

  • Pingback: Menu Plan Your Butt Off: Healthy Recipes + Grocery List

  • Pingback: what i’m cooking this week- february 11 through february 14 | an a-squared life

  • Crystal

    This was another hit with the entire family. Great flavor! Will definitely make this again.