Get ready to transform your ordinary weeknight dinner into a mouthwatering sensation with this incredibly simple Butter Ranch Chicken Slow Cooker recipe! Imagine tender, juicy chicken breasts infused with creamy ranch flavor and rich buttery goodness, all prepared with minimal effort. This foolproof dish requires just a few ingredients and practically cooks itself, making it the ultimate meal for busy home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimum stress.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps the seasoning adhere better.
- Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage.
- Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker in a single layer, avoiding overlapping.
- Sprinkle the entire packet of ranch dressing mix evenly over the chicken breasts, covering them completely.
- Cut the butter into small cubes and distribute them evenly over and around the chicken breasts.
- Carefully pour the chicken broth around the sides of the chicken, being careful not to wash off the ranch seasoning.
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to cook on LOW heat for 6 hours, or on HIGH heat for 3-4 hours.
- Do not lift the lid during cooking to maintain consistent temperature and moisture.
- After cooking time is complete, check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer - it should read 165°F (74°C).
- Once done, carefully remove the chicken breasts and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Optional: Whisk the remaining sauce in the slow cooker and spoon over the chicken for extra flavor.
Tips
- Always pat chicken breasts dry before seasoning to help spices and ranch mix adhere better and create a more flavorful crust.
- Use fresh, high-quality chicken breasts for the best texture and taste. Frozen chicken can work, but may release more moisture during cooking.
- Don't overcrowd the slow cooker - arrange chicken in a single layer for even cooking and optimal flavor distribution.
- Invest in a reliable meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness.
- For extra richness, use unsalted butter and adjust salt accordingly to control the overall seasoning.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with the chicken broth before adding it to the slow cooker.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 420kcal
Carbohydrates: 2g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Cholesterol: 145mg
