Description
This Creamy Ranch Chicken recipe is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich, creamy ranch sauce made from chicken broth, cream, and ranch seasoning. Topped with melted shredded cheese, this comforting meal comes together in just 34 minutes and serves four, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 1 packet (1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Topping
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)
Instructions
- Season and Sear Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides evenly with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and sear them for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Creamy Ranch Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the ranch seasoning mix and heavy cream. Simmer the sauce for 3-5 minutes until it thickens slightly and is well combined.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the ranch sauce over them evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of each piece of chicken. Cover the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until the cheese melts and the chicken is heated through.
- Serve: Remove from heat and garnish as desired (fresh herbs like parsley or chives). Serve the creamy ranch chicken hot with your favorite sides such as rice, vegetables, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in ranch seasoning for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Use low-fat cream or milk as a lighter alternative to heavy cream.
- Substitute shredded cheese with mozzarella for a milder flavor or pepper jack for some heat.
- This dish pairs well with steamed broccoli, green beans, or a fresh side salad.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove.
