The Best Creamy Ranch Chicken Recipe You’ll Ever Taste
Ranch seasoning adds a zesty kick to this mouthwatering chicken dish that promises to become your new dinner favorite.
Crisp vegetables and tender meat combine in a delightful medley of flavors.
Weeknight cooking just got way more exciting with this simple yet impressive meal.
Home cooks adore how quickly everything comes together in one pan.
Each bite delivers a creamy, savory experience that feels like a restaurant-quality treat.
Succulent chicken pieces nestle in a rich sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds.
You won’t believe how easy it is to create such a crowd-pleasing dinner that looks and tastes absolutely amazing.
FAQs
The ranch seasoning is a blend of dried herbs and spices like dried dill, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, which create the classic ranch flavor profile for the chicken.
Both chicken breasts and thighs work well. Chicken breasts cook faster and are leaner, while chicken thighs are more tender and flavorful due to their higher fat content.
Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C), which ensures it’s safe to eat and prevents overcooking.
Creamy Ranch Chicken That Satisfies Every Craving
Ingredients Needed For Creamy Ranch Chicken
Main Protein:Cooking Fats:Seasoning Group:Sauce Components:Simple Instructions For Creamy Ranch Chicken
Step 1: Warm Up the Pan
Grab a skillet and get it ready by heating olive oil and butter over medium heat. The pan should be just hot enough to make a gentle sizzling sound when ingredients hit the surface.
Step 2: Season and Sear Chicken
Sprinkle chicken with salt, pepper, and a generous dash of ranch seasoning. Carefully place the chicken in the hot skillet and cook until it turns a gorgeous golden brown.
This should take about 4-5 minutes on each side, creating a delicious crispy exterior.
Step 3: Lift Out the Chicken
Gently transfer the perfectly seared chicken to a waiting plate.
Don’t worry – it’ll go back in the pan soon!
Step 4: Create a Flavor-Packed Sauce Base
Pour chicken broth into the same skillet, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all those tasty brown bits stuck to the bottom.
Sprinkle in the remaining ranch seasoning to amp up the flavor.
Step 5: Bring on the Creamy Goodness
Splash in heavy cream and let the sauce simmer and bubble.
Watch as it transforms into a thick, luxurious coating that’ll make your mouth water.
Step 6: Final Flavor Fusion
Carefully return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the creamy sauce.
Spoon the sauce over the chicken and let everything simmer together for 5-10 minutes. This ensures the chicken is fully cooked and soaks up all those incredible flavors.
Serve hot and enjoy your mouthwatering Ranch Chicken Delight!
Tips To Get Creamy Ranch Chicken Just Right
Ways To Personalize Creamy Ranch Chicken
Serving Creamy Ranch Chicken For Maximum Enjoyment
How To Keep Creamy Ranch Chicken Fresh
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Zesty Ranch Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Ranch chicken emerges as a savory comfort dish packed with zesty flavors and simple ingredients. Quick preparation meets delightful results, ensuring home cooks can enjoy this hearty meal without complicated techniques.
Ingredients
Main Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Seasoning:
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- Salt and pepper to taste
Liquid and Fat:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) butter
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
Instructions
- Warm a large skillet over medium heat, combining olive oil and butter to create a flavorful cooking base.
- Generously coat chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and half of the ranch seasoning mixture, ensuring even coverage.
- Sear chicken in the hot skillet, achieving a golden-brown exterior, approximately 4-5 minutes per side until exterior develops a rich color and crisp texture.
- Transfer chicken to a separate plate, maintaining its temperature and preserving the delicious pan drippings.
- Deglaze the skillet by pouring chicken broth and sprinkling remaining ranch seasoning, carefully scraping accumulated browned fragments from the pan’s surface.
- Introduce heavy cream to the liquid, allowing the mixture to gently simmer and gradually thicken into a luxurious, velvety sauce.
- Carefully return chicken to the skillet, nestling pieces into the creamy sauce and ensuring complete coverage.
- Reduce heat and let chicken continue cooking, occasionally spooning sauce over the meat, until fully cooked through and sauce reaches desired consistency, approximately 5-10 minutes.
Notes
- Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for consistent cooking and easier slicing.
- Keep ranch seasoning mix low-sodium if watching salt intake or use homemade seasoning blend for healthier version.
- Ensure chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F to guarantee safe consumption without overcooking.
- Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut cream for lighter, dairy-free alternative that maintains creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 475 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
John Conley
Founder & Culinary Storyteller
Expertise
Recipe Development, Culinary Writing, Home Cooking Techniques, Seasonal Ingredient Utilization
Education
Lane Community College, Eugene, OR
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focused on foundational cooking techniques, kitchen safety, and menu planning.
Gotham Writers Workshop, New York, NY
Course in Food Writing
Explored the art of crafting engaging culinary narratives and recipe development.
John grew up where food meant connection: big bowls, warm kitchens, and meals that told a story. After earning his Certificate in Culinary Arts from Lane Community College and diving deep into food writing at Gotham Writers Workshop, he found his calling: turning everyday recipes into something worth savoring.
At The Liffey, John’s focus is all about crafting dishes that feel easy, honest, and full of heart.