Make this creamy ranch chicken in just 20 minutes. It’s a tasty, comforting dish that’s also an easy recipe to make. This creamy, savory dish comes together quickly and requires minimal ingredients.
You won’t have to spend your evening cooking over the stove with this easy skillet meal. Plus, it’s incredibly flavorful thanks to a crowd-pleasing combination of ingredients.
Delicious and Easy Rich Flavors
Trust me when I say the whole family just loves this dish so much. Some like to use bread to get all the leftover sauce on their plate. Today we served this with a Quinoa and Brown Rice Side Dish.
It’s loaded with rich flavors and takes no time at all to whip up. Plus, it only uses a handful of simple ingredients. Enjoy the combination of seasoned salt and pepper enveloped in a luxuriously creamy ranch sauce. Pure comfort food bliss!
Trust me when I say this will be a favorite meal among all family members.
Creamy Ranch Chicken
This meal is definitely one of my favorite easy meals and I have a sneaky suspicion this will become one of yours too.
The chicken is perfectly seasoned and with so much ranch flavor. The tasty sauce takes just minutes to make.
Make the creamy sauce with just two ingredients! No sour cream, cream cheese, or cream of chicken soup are required. This recipe uses milk and ranch dressing. Yup. Just two simple ingredients full of fresh and savory flavor.
How to Make it
This recipe uses two large or four smaller chicken breasts; however, you can really use any chicken pieces you prefer. I like to slice the chicken in half lengthwise, then into bite-size pieces.
In a large skillet, add olive oil and cook over medium heat. Then add the chicken pieces.
Season with seasoned salt and black pepper.
Since you are using chicken pieces, the cook times are quicker than for the entire chicken breast. Cook for about 4-5 minutes turning the chicken pieces a few times while cooking so they get a golden sear on the outside.
When the chicken is almost cooked through, add the fresh spinach. Let the mixture continue cooking another minute.
Reduce the heat to low. Add the ranch dressing and milk.
Gently stir the ranch mixture, scraping the bottom of the skillet to incorporate any flavorful bits left from cooking the delicious chicken.
Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes allowing the spinach to wilt and the sauce to slightly thicken.
That’s it. Serve the Creamy Ranch Chicken with your favorite side dishes, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, homemade biscuits, baked potatoes, green beans, rice, egg noodles, or other pasta. Spoon the sauce over the dish.
A delicious recipe to serve your entire family.
Can I use ranch dressing instead of a packet?
Yes, in fact, this recipe uses a cup of ranch dressing rather than the packet of ranch seasoning mix. It helps thicken the sauce without having to add cream of soup to the recipe. The sauce is made using just equal parts of milk and ranch dressing.
How long should I cook chicken breast on stove?
Cooking chicken breast in a skillet on the stove is quick. For a thinner cut it will take just 5-7 minutes for a thicker cut plan on 10-12 minutes. Flip the breast halfway through cooking. The chicken should be well browned and cooked through. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Recipe Tips for Success
This recipe is easy to customize by adding your favorite fresh herbs or spices to the seasoned salt and pepper mixture.
Other seasonings that work well are garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika can add a delicious twist.
If you prefer a milder or spicier sauce, experiment with different varieties of ranch dressing. Here are a few options such as buttermilk ranch, spicy ranch, or avocado ranch.
Make this recipe even healthier by swapping out Greek yogurt for milk. If you prefer more tang, swap out the milk with buttermilk.
If you choose to keep the chicken breasts whole, go ahead and slice them thin to about ½ inch thickness and pound with a mallet so it is fork tender. Pro Tip. You can use chicken tenders, boneless skinless chicken thighs, or boneless skinless chicken breasts.
This recipe is easy to customize by adding your favorite fresh herbs or spices to the seasoned salt and pepper mixture.
Swap out the spinach for other fresh or frozen vegetables or add other vegetables to the dish.
When serving, top with a little freshly grated parmesan cheese.
You can make this recipe in the crock pot if you wish. Just add all the ingredients and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours. When the chicken is done, you are ready to eat.
Busy Weeknight Meals
Pro Tip. This recipe works well for boneless pork chops too.
This is a great recipe to make when you forgot to plan dinner. This often happens to me. I get home from work late and the family is hungry. I am tired and we all want to have a delicious meal. Yes, we could just pop in a pizza or two. However, if you still want a home cooked meal, this one is a keeper for your recipe box.
How to Store Ranch Chicken Dish
To store Creamy Ranch Chicken properly, allow it to cool after cooking to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent the growth of bacteria.
Divide into portions: If you have a large batch of Creamy Ranch Chicken, divide it into individual or family-sized portions. This will make it easier to reheat and serve later.
Use an airtight container: Transfer the Creamy Ranch Chicken into airtight containers or resealable plastic bags. Make sure the containers are suitable for the refrigerator or freezer and can prevent air and moisture from entering.
Label and date: Label each container or bag with the name of the dish and the date of storage. This way, you can keep track of how long it has been stored and easily identify it later.
Refrigeration: If you plan to consume the Creamy Ranch Chicken within a few days, store it in the refrigerator. Make sure the refrigerator is set to a temperature below 40°F (4°C). It can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
You Can Freeze This Chicken
Freezing (optional): If you want to store it for a longer period, you can freeze the Creamy Ranch Chicken. Place it in the freezer, where it can remain safe to eat for 2-3 months. Freezing may slightly alter the texture, so be aware of potential changes when reheating.
Thawing and reheating: When you’re ready to eat the stored Creamy Ranch Chicken, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator if it was frozen. To reheat, you can use a microwave, stovetop, or oven, ensuring it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s fully heated.
Remember, when reheating Creamy Ranch Chicken or any leftovers, make sure to heat it thoroughly to kill any bacteria and ensure it’s safe to consume.
Note: The storage times mentioned above are general guidelines. Always use your judgment and discard any Creamy Ranch Chicken or leftovers that show signs of spoilage, such as an unusual smell, off-color, or an off taste.
Creamy Ranch Chicken Skillet Recipe
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 2 Large Chicken Breasts Boneless and Skinless
- 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Teaspoon Seasoned Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 Cup Milk Whole Milk preferred, but can be any milk
- 1 Cup Ranch Dressing
- 2 Cups Spinach Fresh spinach leaves
Instructions
- This recipe uses two large or four smaller chicken breasts; however, you can really use any chicken pieces you prefer. I like to slice the chicken in half lengthwise, then into bite-size pieces.
- In a large skillet, add olive oil and cook over medium heat. Then add the chicken pieces.
- Season with seasoned salt and black pepper.
- Cook for about 4-5 minutes turning the chicken pieces a few times while cooking so they get a golden sear on the outside.
- When the chicken is almost cooked through, add the fresh spinach. Let the mixture continue cooking another minute.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the ranch dressing and milk.
- Gently stir the ranch mixture, scraping the bottom of the skillet to incorporate any flavorful bits left from cooking the chicken.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes allowing the spinach to wilt and the sauce to slightly thicken.
- That’s it. Serve the Creamy Ranch Chicken with your favorite side dishes; mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, homemade biscuits, baked potatoes, rice or pasta. Spoon the sauce over the dish.
