Description
This Easy Creamy Ranch Chicken recipe features tender boneless chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection and smothered in a luscious, creamy ranch sauce. Enhanced with garlic and optional cheddar cheese, this comforting dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal.
Ingredients
Scale
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
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional for extra creaminess)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped
Instructions
- 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 extra creaminess, add shredded cheddar cheese to the sauce as it simmers.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.
- If preferred, boneless skinless chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for juicier meat.
- To reduce calories, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- This dish pairs well with rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
Keywords: creamy ranch chicken, easy chicken recipe, ranch seasoning chicken, one skillet chicken, quick dinner recipes, creamy chicken breasts
