Hearty Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken & Veggies Recipe

Cozy Ranch Chicken & Veggie Magic: Slow Cooker Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand simple, satisfying solutions that deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort.

This delectable slow cooker ranch chicken recipe brings together tender chicken and colorful vegetables in a mouthwatering blend.

Ranch seasoning infuses every bite with zesty, creamy goodness that makes this dish an instant crowd-pleaser.

Busy home cooks appreciate how effortlessly the slow cooker transforms basic ingredients into a comforting meal.

Each forkful promises a perfect balance of protein and fresh produce, seasoned just right.

The convenience of tossing everything into one pot means less cleanup and more time enjoying dinner together.

One taste will have everyone asking for seconds of this irresistible, easy-to-prepare classic.

How to Slow Cook Ranch Chicken & Veggies the Right Way

  • Prep the Veggie Base

Spread chopped potatoes and carrots across the bottom of your slow cooker, creating a colorful foundation for your meal.

  • Layer the Chicken

Sprinkle chicken with seasonings, nestling the meat gently on top of the vegetable layer. Scatter green beans around or over the chicken.

  • Create the Flavor Bath

Whisk together broth, olive oil, and ranch seasoning, then pour this liquid magic evenly across the entire dish.

  • Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover and let the slow cooker work its wonder on low heat for 6-7 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours until chicken is tender and veggies are soft.

  • Add Creamy Finish

Optional: Swirl in sour cream or cream cheese right before serving to boost the dish’s luxurious texture.

  • Serve and Enjoy

Sprinkle fresh parsley on top, then plate up this comforting one-pot wonder while it’s steaming hot.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours

Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients That Go into Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken & Veggies

For Base Vegetables:
  • Potatoes: Hearty base that absorbs delicious ranch flavors and adds comforting texture.
  • Carrots: Sweet root vegetable that brings vibrant color and natural sweetness to the dish.
  • Green Beans: Provides crisp contrast and fresh garden-style nutrition.
For Protein:
  • Chicken: Lean protein that becomes tender and flavorful when slow-cooked, perfect for a satisfying meal.
For Seasoning And Liquids:
  • Salt: Essential mineral that enhances overall flavor profile.
  • Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and depth to the dish.
  • Garlic Powder: Delivers aromatic punch without fresh garlic's intensity.
  • Ranch Seasoning: Creamy, tangy flavor booster that ties all ingredients together.
  • Chicken Broth: Creates moisture and infuses rich, savory undertones.
  • Olive Oil: Helps distribute heat and adds subtle fruity notes.
For Optional Creamy Finish:
  • Sour Cream: Adds luxurious, tangy richness.
  • Cream Cheese: Provides smooth, velvety texture.
For Garnish:
  • Parsley: Fresh herb that brightens presentation and adds light herbal freshness.

Tools That Keep Veggies Crisp While Chicken Stays Juicy

  • Slow Cooker: Essential for cooking the entire meal with minimal effort and creating tender, flavorful dishes.
  • Cutting Board: Needed for preparing and chopping vegetables before adding to the slow cooker.
  • Chef's Knife: Perfect for slicing potatoes, carrots, and green beans with precision.
  • Small Bowl: Used for mixing chicken broth, olive oil, and ranch seasoning.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helpful for accurately measuring seasonings and oil.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and serving the finished dish.

Tips for Keeping Ranch Chicken from Getting Salty

  • For ultra-juicy chicken, avoid overcooking by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F, which prevents dryness and ensures perfect texture.
  • Replace green beans with broccoli, asparagus, or zucchini for a fresh flavor twist while maintaining the recipe's nutritional balance.
  • Substitute potatoes with cauliflower or turnips to create a lower-carbohydrate version that's equally delicious and satisfying.
  • Skip the sour cream or cream cheese, and instead use coconut cream or unsweetened almond milk yogurt for a creamy finish without dairy.
  • This recipe stores beautifully in refrigerator for 34 days, making it ideal for batch cooking and quick weeknight dinners with minimal preparation.

Serve Ranch Chicken and Veggies as a Full Plate

  • Dinner Party Delight: Serve this ranch chicken over fluffy white rice or quinoa to soak up the delicious sauce.
  • Rustic Farmhouse Plating: Arrange chicken and colorful veggies on a large wooden cutting board for a cozy, homestyle presentation that makes everyone feel welcome.
  • Protein-Packed Lunch Prep: Pack individual portions in meal prep containers with extra ranch seasoning on the side for a quick, satisfying work lunch that'll keep you energized all afternoon.
  • Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle shredded cheddar or crumbled feta on top just before serving to add an extra layer of creamy, tangy flavor that complements the ranch seasoning perfectly.

How to Store and Reheat Ranch Chicken & Veggies

  • Keep leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
  • Portion and freeze individual servings in sealed containers or freezer bags for convenient future meals, maintaining taste and texture for 23 months.
  • Warm refrigerated portions in the microwave or slow cooker, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent dryness and restore original juiciness.
  • Chop vegetables and prepare chicken seasoning in advance, storing separately in sealed containers to streamline weeknight cooking and reduce kitchen prep time.
Print
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Hearty Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken & Veggies Recipe

Hearty Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken & Veggies Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Hearty Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken & Veggies brings comfort and flavor to weeknight dinners with minimal effort. Ranch seasoning infuses tender chicken and colorful vegetables, creating a simple yet satisfying meal savored by families seeking delicious, hassle-free cooking.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (907 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (or 2 tablespoons homemade ranch seasoning)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 lb (454 g) baby potatoes, halved
  • 2 cups (300 g) baby carrots
  • 2 cups (300 g) green beans (fresh or frozen, ends trimmed)
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: ¼ cup (60 ml) sour cream or cream cheese (for creamier version)
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prep Slow Cooker: Layer diced potatoes and carrots across the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a hearty vegetable foundation.
  2. Season Chicken: Coat chicken pieces with a robust blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and half of the ranch seasoning mix, then carefully position the seasoned chicken atop the vegetable layer.
  3. Vegetable Integration: Distribute green beans across the top, ensuring even coverage and optional placement for texture variation.
  4. Liquid Infusion: Whisk chicken broth, olive oil, and remaining ranch seasoning in a separate bowl, then gently cascade the liquid mixture over the entire dish, ensuring comprehensive flavor penetration.
  5. Cooking Process: Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the ingredients to simmer on low temperature for 6-7 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours, monitoring until chicken reaches perfect tenderness and vegetables become fork-soft.
  6. Finishing Touch: Optionally swirl in sour cream or cream cheese moments before serving to create a luxurious, velvety sauce that elevates the entire dish.
  7. Presentation: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley across the top for a vibrant garnish, then serve piping hot directly from the slow cooker.

Notes

  • Add green beans in the last hour of cooking to maintain their crisp texture and vibrant color.
  • Use only half the ranch seasoning initially, reserving the rest for the broth mixture to ensure even flavor distribution.
  • Pour broth mixture carefully to avoid oversaturating the dish, which can make chicken and vegetables soggy.
  • Stir in sour cream or cream cheese just before serving for a rich, velvety sauce that enhances the overall flavor profile.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 hours
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 500mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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