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Creamy Ranch Chicken

Creamy Ranch Chicken

Creamy Ranch Chicken is a quick and easy dinner recipe featuring tender chicken breasts or thighs cooked in a rich, velvety ranch-flavored cream sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it combines bold ranch seasoning with garlic, Parmesan cheese, and cream for a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Seasoning & Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix (divided)
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides lightly with salt, pepper, and half of the ranch seasoning to infuse the meat with flavor before cooking.
  2. Brown the Chicken: Heat butter or olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
  3. Build the Creamy Ranch Sauce: Lower the heat to medium and add minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and add the remaining ranch seasoning. Stir well and let the sauce thicken slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Finish Cooking the Chicken: Return the browned chicken to the skillet. Spoon sauce over the top and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and absorbs the creamy flavors.
  5. Add Cheese and Serve: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the chicken and sauce, stirring gently to incorporate and melt it slightly, enhancing the sauce’s richness.

Notes

  • Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and better browning.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan; brown chicken in batches if needed for a nice sear.
  • Simmer the sauce gently to avoid boiling and curdling, keeping it smooth.
  • Fresh garlic enhances flavor better than pre-minced or powdered alternatives.
  • Adjust seasoning after cooking by tasting the sauce and adding salt or ranch mix if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy ranch chicken, quick chicken dinner, ranch seasoning recipe, easy chicken skillet, weeknight chicken, creamy sauce chicken