Description
Hearty ranch chicken brings Southern comfort to slow-cooked meals with minimal prep work. Simple ingredients meld perfectly, delivering a creamy, savory dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- ½ tsp (2.5 mL) garlic powder
- ½ tsp (2.5 mL) onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup (240 mL/8 fl oz) chicken broth
Instructions
- Preparation: Layer chicken breasts uniformly across the bottom of the crockpot, creating an even base for cooking.
- Seasoning: Liberally dust ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper over chicken, ensuring comprehensive flavor distribution.
- Liquid Infusion: Pour chicken broth around the seasoned chicken, establishing a moisture-rich cooking environment that prevents drying and enhances taste complexity.
- Slow Cooking: Cover crockpot with lid and set temperature – low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The prolonged, gentle heat will tenderize chicken and intensify flavor profiles.
- Finishing Technique: Test chicken’s readiness by checking its ability to pull apart effortlessly. Shred meat directly within cooking liquid using two forks, allowing maximum flavor absorption.
- Serving Suggestions: Transfer ranch-infused shredded chicken to serving dish. Versatile protein pairs excellently with tacos, sandwiches, salads, rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables for a nutritious meal.
Notes
- Chicken Placement Matters: Spread chicken breasts evenly across the crockpot bottom to ensure uniform cooking and prevent uneven texture.
- Seasoning Strategy: Sprinkle ranch mix, garlic, and onion powders generously for maximum flavor penetration, adjusting salt and pepper to personal taste.
- Liquid Lifeline: Pour chicken broth carefully around the meat to create a moisture-rich environment that prevents dryness and enhances tenderness.
- Shredding Technique: Use two forks to pull chicken apart directly in the cooking liquid, allowing the meat to soak up all the delicious ranch-infused juices for maximum flavor absorption.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 54g
- Cholesterol: 120mg