Crockpot Chicken Breast Recipe: Easy 5-Ingredient Meal Kids Love
This easy 5-ingredient crockpot chicken breast recipe is a family favorite that turns picky eaters into fans. With minimal prep and a creamy ranch sauce, it’s perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 7 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high
- Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes to 7 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1.5 to 2 pounds (680 to 900 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 can (10.5 ounces or 298 grams) cream of chicken soup
- 1 packet (1 ounce or 28 grams) dry ranch dressing mix
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth, low-sodium preferred
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker in a single layer if possible.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, dry ranch dressing mix, and chicken broth until smooth.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken breasts, coating each one.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and shreds easily.
- About 30 minutes before serving, add the softened cream cheese, cut into chunks. Stir gently and let cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove chicken from slow cooker using tongs, let rest for 5 minutes, then shred with two forks or cut into chunks.
- Return chicken to sauce, stir to coat, and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve immediately over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
Don’t lift the lid during cooking to avoid heat loss. Use room temperature cream cheese for smooth blending. Shred chicken while warm for best results. Double the sauce if you like extra. For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free cream soup and cream cheese. For spicy ranch, add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or a chopped jalapeño. For lemon herb, replace ranch packet with dried parsley, dill, garlic powder, and lemon zest. For BBQ chicken, swap soup and ranch for 1 cup BBQ sauce and 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, omit cream cheese. Add veggies like mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers during the last hour.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/6
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 780
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Protein: 35
Keywords: crockpot chicken, slow cooker chicken, 5-ingredient chicken, ranch chicken, easy chicken dinner, family meal, kid-friendly