Description
Creamy Ranch Chicken is a delicious and comforting skillet dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich, flavorful ranch sauce made with cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and ranch seasoning. Perfectly seasoned and easy to prepare, this recipe offers a creamy, zesty flavor that pairs wonderfully with baked potatoes or steamed vegetables for a satisfying meal any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large boneless/skinless chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 10.5 oz. can cream of chicken soup
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 1 cup sour cream, at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 oz. packet Ranch seasoning mix
Instructions
- Season and Prepare the Chicken: Slice each chicken breast into 2-3 thinner pieces, aiming for about ½ inch thickness. If needed, pound the chicken lightly with a meat tenderizer to even out thickness. Pat the slices completely dry with paper towels to ensure good searing. Season both sides with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Brush one side of each piece with melted butter, ensuring the butter is not too hot to avoid cooking the chicken prematurely.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken slices in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook each side for 4-5 minutes until a golden brown crust forms and the chicken is nearly cooked through. Remove the seared chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Make the Sauce: Using the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, onion powder, and the ranch seasoning mix. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Let the sauce gently bubble and reduce for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Simmer the Chicken in the Sauce: Return the seared chicken pieces to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Spoon sauce over the chicken to coat evenly. Partially cover the skillet and let everything cook together on low heat for about 10 minutes, allowing the chicken to heat through fully and absorb the savory flavors of the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the creamy ranch chicken hot, spooning extra sauce over the top. This dish pairs deliciously with baked potatoes, steamed vegetables, or a fresh salad. For added flair, crispy crumbled bacon makes a great topping.
Notes
- Use Ranch seasoning mix, not Ranch dip mix, as their flavors and uses differ significantly.
- Ranch seasoning adds a zesty, savory flavor without making the sauce taste like bottled ranch dressing.
- Add crispy crumbled bacon on top for extra flavor and texture.
- Frozen vegetables can be added to the sauce with the other ingredients for a veggie boost.
- If chicken breasts are small, use 3-4 pieces instead of 2 large breasts to maintain portion size.
- Try variations like Bacon Ranch Chicken or Ranch Pork Chops for different protein options.
- The recipe is featured in The Cozy Cookbook, page 115.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. It freezes well with baked potatoes and vegetables for convenient meals.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1 chicken breast with sauce)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
