Description
Hearty ranch chicken sandwiches bring Southern comfort straight to dinner tables with minimal effort. Slow-cooker magic melds zesty ranch seasoning and tender chicken into a crowd-pleasing meal perfect for gathering friends around the table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
Dairy and Sauce Base:
- 1 block (8 oz/225 g) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (60 ml) sour cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1 packet (1 oz/28 g) ranch seasoning mix
- ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Serving Components:
- 6 sandwich buns or rolls
Optional Toppings:
- Crispy bacon slices
- Sliced pickles
- Shredded lettuce
- Sliced tomatoes
- Cheese slices (cheddar, provolone, or Swiss)
Instructions
- Nestle the chicken breasts into the bottom of your slow cooker, creating a single layer that ensures even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
- Generously dust the chicken with ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper, creating a robust and aromatic base for the dish.
- Dollop cream cheese across the seasoned chicken and pour chicken broth around the meat, allowing the creamy mixture to gently envelop each piece during the cooking process.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and let the chicken simmer on low temperature for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, transforming the meat into a tender, succulent filling.
- Carefully extract the chicken breasts and use two forks to meticulously shred the meat into delicate, flavorful strands.
- Reintroduce the shredded chicken into the slow cooker, stirring to incorporate the rich, creamy ranch liquid and folding in sour cream for an extra luxurious texture.
- Select soft, sturdy sandwich buns and generously heap the ranch-infused chicken onto each, creating a hearty and inviting sandwich.
- Enhance the sandwiches with classic accompaniments like crispy bacon, tangy pickles, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, or melted cheese to personalize each bite.
- Serve the sandwiches immediately alongside crisp potato chips, golden french fries, or a refreshing garden salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts to ensure even cooking and easy shredding in the slow cooker.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth and ranch seasoning to control salt levels, making the dish more diet-friendly.
- For a lighter version, substitute cream cheese with Greek yogurt and reduce the amount of sour cream.
- Meal prep friendly: Store leftover ranch chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, perfect for quick lunches or dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg