Description
Ranch-seasoned chicken and potatoes shine in this simple crockpot marvel from hearty Midwestern kitchens. Comfort meets convenience as creamy ranch flavors meld with tender chicken and golden potatoes for a satisfying family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken breasts or thighs
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) baby potatoes (halved or quartered if large)
- 2 cups baby carrots (optional)
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (1 oz)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter (cut into small pieces)
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- Fresh parsley (chopped, optional)
- Crumbled bacon (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Lightly coat crockpot interior with cooking spray to prevent adhesion and simplify cleanup.
- Foundation Building: Layer baby potatoes evenly across crockpot base, seasoning with salt and pepper for initial flavor enhancement.
- Protein Placement: Position chicken pieces atop potato layer, distributing them strategically to ensure consistent heat penetration and thorough cooking.
- Seasoning Infusion: Liberally sprinkle ranch seasoning mix across chicken and potatoes, creating a uniform flavor profile that will permeate the entire dish.
- Liquid Integration: Pour chicken broth surrounding ingredients, establishing a moisture-rich environment that prevents drying and promotes flavor melding.
- Fat Incorporation: Distribute butter pieces across surface, allowing gradual melting to introduce richness and depth to the overall composition.
- Slow Cooking Process: Cover crockpot and set to low temperature, enabling gradual flavor development and tenderization over approximately 6 hours.
- Completion and Enhancement: Thirty minutes before serving, fold in sour cream and Parmesan cheese, transforming the cooking liquid into a velvety ranch sauce.
- Serving Presentation: Carefully transfer contents to serving platter, optionally embellishing with fresh parsley or crispy bacon fragments for textural contrast and visual intrigue.
Notes
- Potatoes Placement: Arrange baby potatoes in a single, even layer to ensure consistent cooking and prevent uneven texture.
- Chicken Distribution: Spread chicken pieces carefully to promote uniform heat distribution and prevent overcrowding.
- Moisture Management: Pour chicken broth gently around ingredients to maintain a moist cooking environment without diluting ranch seasoning flavor.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exactly 165°F for safe, perfectly cooked protein without drying out.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 67 hours (low) or 34 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg