Creamy Ranch Chicken
This Creamy Ranch Chicken recipe is a quick, comforting dinner bursting with bold ranch flavors wrapped in a silky, creamy sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, it uses simple, accessible ingredients to deliver a rich and satisfying meal that pleases the whole family.
- Author: Kaeli
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Prepare and Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides generously with ranch seasoning to infuse the chicken with a tangy, herbaceous flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, locking in juices and developing a flavorful crust.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, careful not to burn. Stir in cream cheese and heavy cream, whisking until smooth and combined. Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt and thicken the sauce.
- Simmer and Coat: Return chicken to the skillet, spoon the sauce over the top, and let everything simmer for 3-5 minutes to meld flavors and thicken the sauce to cling beautifully to the chicken.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh parsley over the top for color and fresh herb flavor. Serve hot with your favorite sides and enjoy the rich, comforting dish.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken to ensure even cooking and juiciness.
- Don’t skip searing to create depth of flavor and a nice texture.
- Continuously stir the sauce to prevent lumps and achieve smoothness.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen it.
- Using fresh or high-quality ranch seasoning greatly improves flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: creamy ranch chicken, quick dinner, creamy chicken recipe, ranch seasoning chicken, weeknight meal, easy chicken recipe, gluten free chicken