Description
Ranch chicken blends classic American comfort with zesty seasoning for a quick family dinner. Home cooks can elevate weeknight meals with simple ingredients and minimal preparation steps.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Liquids and Fats:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Generously coat chicken pieces with a blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, ensuring even seasoning across all surfaces.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat, combining olive oil and butter to create a rich cooking base.
- Carefully place seasoned chicken into the hot skillet, searing each side until a golden-brown crust develops, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
- Transfer the seared chicken to a clean plate, leaving behind flavorful browned bits in the pan.
- Pour chicken broth into the skillet, scraping the bottom to release all caramelized fragments and create a flavorful foundation.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and introduce cream cheese, stirring until completely melted and integrated with the broth.
- Gradually pour in heavy cream and sprinkle ranch seasoning, whisking continuously to develop a smooth, velvety sauce.
- Gently return chicken to the skillet, nestling the pieces into the creamy sauce.
- Simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and chicken to cook thoroughly, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Plate the chicken, generously coating with the rich ranch sauce, and serve alongside your preferred accompaniments.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by marinating chicken in ranch seasoning for 30 minutes before cooking to infuse deeper taste profiles.
- Reduce carbohydrate content by substituting heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut cream for lighter, diet-friendly versions.
- Use bone-in chicken thighs for richer, more succulent meat that stays incredibly juicy during the cooking process.
- For dairy-free alternatives, replace cream cheese and heavy cream with cashew cream or plant-based alternatives to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg