Easy Creamy Ranch Chicken Recipe
This Easy Creamy Ranch Chicken recipe is a quick and delicious weeknight meal featuring juicy chicken breasts smothered in a rich, flavorful ranch cream sauce. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a comforting dinner served with your favorite sides.
- Author: Dylan
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional for extra creaminess)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (for garnish)
- Prepare the Chicken: Start by seasoning the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides. This simple step enhances the flavor of the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Carefully add the seasoned chicken breasts to the skillet. Cook them for about 5-7 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and no longer pink in the middle. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
- Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds. Watch it closely so it doesn’t burn! You want it to be fragrant but not browned.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, then add the ranch seasoning mix. Stir everything well to combine and create a smooth sauce.
- Thicken the Sauce: Let the sauce simmer for about 3-5 minutes. This will allow it to thicken slightly. If you’re adding shredded cheddar cheese, stir it in now until it melts and makes the sauce creamy.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet. Spoon the creamy ranch sauce over the chicken and let it cook for another 2-3 minutes. This will warm the chicken through and help it soak up the ranch flavor.
- Serve and Garnish: Once everything is heated and combined, garnish your dish with chopped fresh parsley or chives for a pop of color. Serve your creamy ranch chicken over rice, mashed potatoes, or alongside steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Enjoy!
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or use a light cream.
- Add vegetables like mushrooms or spinach to the skillet for more texture and nutrients.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For gluten-free, ensure the ranch seasoning mix is certified gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (about 200g)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: creamy ranch chicken, easy chicken recipe, ranch chicken skillet, quick chicken dinner, creamy chicken breasts