Creamy Ranch Chicken Breasts
Creamy Ranch Chicken offers the perfect balance of juicy chicken paired with a rich, tangy sauce.
Infused with zesty Ranch seasoning, this quick, flavorful recipe creates a satisfying meal in just 30 minutes. It’s ideal for busy weeknights, and pairs beautifully with baked potatoes or vegetables for a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner.
With tender chicken seared to perfection, and a sauce made from cream of chicken, sour cream, and milk, this dish ensures every bite is packed with flavor. Ready to elevate your next meal? Let’s dive into what makes this recipe shine!
Key Ingredients for Creamy Ranch Chicken
- Chicken breasts – Sliced thin for quicker cooking and seasoned perfectly with Italian herbs for added flavor.
- Italian seasoning – Adds a layer of aromatic herbs that complement the tangy Ranch seasoning.
- Ranch seasoning mix – The star of the sauce, this brings a zesty kick and ties all the flavors together.
- Cream of chicken soup – Lends richness to the sauce, making it creamy and comforting.
- Sour cream – Adds tanginess to the sauce, balancing the flavors and giving it a luxurious texture.
- Milk – Thins the sauce, ensuring it’s smooth yet decadent.
- Onion powder – A subtle flavor enhancer that complements the Ranch seasoning.
Easy Steps to Make Creamy Ranch Chicken
1. Searing the Chicken to Perfection
Start by seasoning your chicken breasts with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Slicing the chicken into thinner pieces ensures faster cooking. After brushing with melted butter, sear them in olive oil over medium-high heat. This creates a beautiful golden crust that locks in the juices and flavor.
2. Whipping Up the Creamy Sauce
In the same skillet, blend the cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, Ranch seasoning, and onion powder. Let the sauce gently simmer, thickening into a creamy, tangy base. Once the sauce comes together, return the chicken to the pan, ensuring each piece is generously coated.
3. Bringing It All Together
Allow the chicken to simmer in the sauce for 10 minutes, giving it time to absorb the delicious flavors. The result? Juicy chicken in a rich, comforting Ranch-flavored sauce.
Tips for the Perfect Creamy Ranch Chicken
For best results, avoid overcrowding the skillet when searing the chicken. This ensures each piece gets that perfect golden-brown crust. Also, be patient when simmering the sauce—this step allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer for a few extra minutes.
Recipe Variations
- Add some veggies: Toss in steamed broccoli or spinach for a complete one-pan meal.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat.
- Swap out the chicken: Try boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a more tender, flavorful option.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of milk to revive the creamy texture. This dish also freezes well; simply freeze the chicken and sauce in separate containers for up to 2 months, then thaw overnight before reheating.
Creamy Ranch Chicken Recipe
Zutaten
Chicken
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or substitute with vegetable or canola oil
Sauce
- 1 oz. packet Ranch seasoning mix about 3 tablespoons
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 1 cup sour cream at room temperature
- 10.5 oz. cream of chicken soup
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Anleitungen
Season and Sear the Chicken:
- Slice each chicken breast into 2-3 thin pieces. If necessary, gently pound them with a meat tenderizer to ensure uniform thickness, approximately ½ inch.
- Season both sides of the chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Lightly brush one side with melted butter, ensuring it’s not too hot.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Place 2-3 pieces of chicken into the pan, buttered side down, leaving space between each. Sauté for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from the pan and set aside. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
- Pro Tip: Adjust the heat as needed during cooking. Add more oil if necessary. Allow the chicken to cook undisturbed for the best crust; it will release from the pan once the crust forms.
Prepare the Sauce:
- Remove any excess oil from the skillet. Over medium heat, combine the cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, Ranch seasoning, and onion powder. Stir the mixture until well incorporated.
- Let the sauce simmer and reduce gently for about 5 minutes.
- Return the seared chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over each piece.
- Partially cover the skillet and let the chicken heat through for around 10 minutes, allowing it to absorb the flavors from the sauce.
Notes
Serve alongside baked potatoes, and drizzle some of the flavorful sauce over the potatoes for an extra delicious touch!