Crockpot Ranch Chicken and Potatoes

This Crockpot Ranch Chicken and Potatoes recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish that’s perfect for busy days. With tender chicken, hearty potatoes, and sweet baby carrots cooked in a creamy ranch and chicken soup sauce, it’s a comforting meal that practically prepares itself in the slow cooker.

Whether you’re looking for a hassle-free dinner or planning a family-friendly meal, this dish delivers on both ease and deliciousness.

Crockpot Ranch Chicken and Potatoes

Ingredients:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

4 Russet potatoes cut into 2 inch pieces

2 cups baby carrots

1 packet dry ranch dressing mix

1 can cream of chicken soup (10 oz can)

1 cup milk

Instructions:

First, you need a small mixing bowl. Add the cream of chicken soup, milk and ranch dressing mix.

Whisk all of this together.

Cream of chicken mixed with ranch in a bowl.

Then, place the chicken, carrots and potatoes in the slow cooker. Add the sauce and pour it all over the top of these ingredients in the crock pot. (Ingredients in crock pot ready to cook.)

Finally, cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours on high. You can also cook on high for 3 to 4 hours if you need to reduce the cooking time.

If you like the chicken to be in smaller pieces, shred it and then place back into the crock pot.

Keep reading for full nutritional information.

Tips:

If the sauce seems to separate once chicken is cooked, just remove the chicken and vegetables from the crock pot. Whisk the sauce together and it should solve that problem.

You can then add the chicken back to the slow cooker

Notes:

Ease of Preparation: This recipe is designed for convenience with minimal prep. Mixing the cream of chicken soup, milk, and ranch dressing mix in advance ensures even distribution of flavors throughout the dish.

Slow Cooker Convenience: Utilizing a slow cooker allows for hands-off cooking. It’s ideal for busy schedules or when you want a meal that cooks itself over several hours.

Ingredients: The combination of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, Russet potatoes, and baby carrots provides a balanced meal in one pot, enhanced by the ranch seasoning mix for added flavor.

Versatility: The recipe can be adapted based on preference or dietary needs. For instance, adjusting the cooking time or temperature can accommodate different schedules or ensure the chicken and vegetables are cooked to desired tenderness.

Creamy Texture: The mixture of cream of chicken soup and milk creates a creamy sauce that coats the chicken, potatoes, and carrots, infusing them with flavor as they cook.

Optional Shredding: Shredding the chicken after cooking allows it to absorb more of the sauce, adding depth to each bite.

Nutritional Considerations: While convenient, this dish may be high in sodium due to the ranch dressing mix and cream of chicken soup. Modifications can be made by choosing low-sodium or homemade versions of these ingredients.

Meal Planning: This recipe is suitable for meal planning or feeding a family, as leftovers can be stored and reheated easily.

Presentation: The finished dish is hearty and visually appealing, with tender chicken and vegetables in a creamy sauce.

Customization: Feel free to experiment with additional seasonings or vegetables to suit personal taste preferences or to use what’s on hand in the kitchen.

Nutrition Information:

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of potato instead of Russet potatoes?

Yes, you can use other types of potatoes like red or Yukon Gold potatoes if you prefer.

Different potatoes may have slightly different textures and flavors, but they will work well in this recipe.

Is there a substitute for the dry ranch dressing mix if I don’t have it on hand?

If you don’t have dry ranch dressing mix, you can make a homemade ranch seasoning using a blend of herbs and spices like garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, and dried parsley.

There are many recipes online for homemade ranch seasoning.

What can I use as a substitute for cream of chicken soup for a lower-fat option?

If you want to reduce the fat content, you can use a lower-fat or reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup.

Alternatively, you can make your own cream of chicken soup substitute using a roux made with flour, butter, and chicken broth.

Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?

Yes, you can customize this recipe by adding other vegetables of your choice, such as broccoli, green beans, or bell peppers.

Just be mindful of the cooking time required for the additional vegetables.

Do I need to thaw the chicken breasts before placing them in the slow cooker?

It’s generally recommended to thaw the chicken breasts before adding them to the slow cooker.

Thawing allows for more even cooking and reduces the risk of foodborne illness.

You can thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight or use the defrost setting on your microwave.

Can I use frozen chicken breasts in this recipe, or do they need to be thawed?

It’s recommended to use thawed chicken breasts for this recipe.

Cooking frozen chicken in a slow cooker may result in uneven cooking and could pose food safety concerns.

Can I substitute another type of meat for the chicken, such as pork or beef?

Yes, you can use different types of meat, such as boneless pork chops or beef stew meat, in place of chicken.

Adjust the cooking time based on the type and cut of meat you choose.

Is it necessary to use a slow cooker, or can I make this recipe on the stovetop or in the oven?

While a slow cooker is ideal for this recipe, you can adapt it for stovetop or oven cooking.

For stovetop, use a large pot and simmer on low until the meat and vegetables are cooked through.

For the oven, use a covered casserole dish and bake at a low temperature until done.

What can I do if the sauce is too thick or too thin?

If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little more milk to thin it out.

If it’s too thin, you can mix a small amount of cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the sauce to thicken it.

Can I prepare the ingredients the night before and refrigerate them in the slow cooker insert for easy morning cooking?

Yes, you can assemble the ingredients in the slow cooker insert the night before, cover it, and refrigerate it.

In the morning, simply place the insert in the slow cooker base and start cooking.

This can save time and make morning preparation easier.