It was a rainy Tuesday when I first made this creamy ranch chicken. I remember standing in the kitchen, barefoot, the smell of butter and herbs filling the house while the kids did homework at the table. It felt like a meal that held us together. Cozy. Comforting. Easy to pull off with what I already had on hand. That’s the magic of a good ranch chicken recipe—and it’s why it’s stayed in my regular dinner rotation ever since.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Ranch Chicken
This creamy ranch chicken is rich, savory, and packed with cozy flavor. You’ll only need one skillet, so cleanup is easy. It’s perfect for weeknights but feels special enough for guests. The sauce is thick, tangy, and zesty with that familiar ranch kick—thanks to a mix of sour cream, milk, and Ranch seasoning. Plus, this dish pairs well with mashed or baked potatoes and any veggie you like. And the best part? It comes together fast with simple ingredients you probably already have.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken
Start with 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 3–4 smaller ones). You’ll slice them into thinner cutlets so they cook evenly. Season both sides with Italian seasoning, a pinch of salt, and some black pepper. Brush one side with melted butter for a golden, flavorful crust. Then sear them in a bit of olive oil until golden.
For the Creamy Ranch Sauce
You’ll make the sauce right in the same pan. Stir together cream of chicken soup, milk, and sour cream until smooth. Add in onion powder and one full ounce of Ranch seasoning mix. It melts into a thick, creamy sauce with just the right kick.
Optional Add-ins
Want to boost the flavor even more? Add crispy bacon on top for a smoky crunch. Or stir in frozen vegetables right into the sauce to save time. Shredded cheese like sharp cheddar or a sprinkle of mozzarella is a welcome addition too.
How to Make Creamy Ranch Chicken (Step-by-Step)
1. Prepare and Season the Chicken
Slice the chicken breasts into thinner cutlets, about ½ inch thick. Pound them gently if needed to make them even. Season both sides with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Then brush melted butter onto one side of each piece.
2. Sear the Chicken for a Golden Crust
Heat 1–2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken, buttered side down, in the pan. Let it cook 4 to 5 minutes per side, until golden brown and almost cooked through. Then take it out and set it aside.
3. Make the Creamy Ranch Sauce
In the same pan (don’t wipe it out—you want all those bits), reduce the heat to medium. Pour in the cream of chicken soup, milk, and sour cream. Add the onion powder and Ranch seasoning. Stir until it’s smooth and let it bubble gently for about 5 minutes.
4. Simmer Chicken in Sauce to Finish
Return the seared chicken to the skillet. Spoon some sauce over each piece, cover the pan partially, and let everything simmer together for 10 minutes. The chicken will finish cooking, and the sauce will thicken into rich, ranchy goodness.
Pro Tips for the Best Flavor
Brushing melted butter onto the chicken before searing adds flavor and helps create a crisp crust. Always use Ranch seasoning mix—not the dip mix. The seasoning has the right blend of herbs and tang, while the dip mix will throw off the balance.
Add-ins like frozen peas or chopped broccoli work beautifully. Just stir them in with the sauce and cook until tender. For an extra treat, sprinkle shredded cheese over the top and let it melt before serving. Or try this with pork chops instead of chicken for a delicious variation.
Serving Suggestions
This ranch chicken practically begs to be served over something comforting. I usually go for creamy mashed potatoes or baked potatoes to soak up the sauce. You can also spoon it over rice or egg noodles. On the side, try roasted green beans, steamed broccoli, or even frozen mixed vegetables. Don’t forget to spoon extra sauce over everything—it’s too good to waste.
If you love cozy skillet meals, you might also like this one-pot black pepper chicken skillet. It’s another easy dinner favorite.
Storage and Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce stays creamy, especially if you reheat it gently over low heat or in the microwave at half power. You can also freeze the whole dish for up to 3 months—yes, even with the potatoes and vegetables. It makes a handy, comforting freezer meal when you need one.
Creamy Ranch Chicken Recipe Card
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Creamy Ranch Chicken (Easy One-Skillet Dinner)
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This cozy ranch chicken recipe is rich, creamy, and ready in one skillet. A family-friendly dinner with bold, comforting flavor and simple prep.
Ingredients
2 large boneless/skinless chicken breasts (or 3–4 small)
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons melted butter
1–2 tablespoons olive oil
10.5 oz. cream of chicken soup
1½ cups milk
1 cup sour cream (room temperature)
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 oz. Ranch seasoning mix (not dip mix)
Optional: crispy bacon, frozen vegetables, shredded cheese
Instructions
1. Slice chicken breasts into 2–3 thinner slices (½ inch thick). Pound if needed for even thickness.
2. Season both sides with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Brush one side with melted butter.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add soup, milk, sour cream, onion powder, and Ranch seasoning. Stir and let gently bubble for 5 minutes.
5. Return chicken to skillet. Spoon sauce over top, cover partially, and simmer for 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
6. Serve with mashed or baked potatoes and vegetables. Spoon extra sauce over potatoes if desired and top with bacon if using.
Notes
Use Ranch seasoning mix, not dip mix—they’re different!
Brushing melted butter on chicken helps build a tasty crust.
You can add frozen vegetables directly to the sauce before simmering.
Optional toppings like crispy bacon or shredded cheese add even more flavor.
Try this recipe with pork chops for a tasty alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Chicken Recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 469
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 1283mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 138mg
Related Recipes to Try
If you love this creamy ranch chicken, here are a few other cozy chicken favorites to try next:
- one-pot black pepper chicken skillet
- million dollar baked chicken breast
- slow cooker chicken breasts for meal prep
- crock pot chicken pot pie comfort meal
And for more cozy dinner inspiration, browse my Pinterest board. I save all my go-to weeknight wonders and seasonal favorites there.
FAQ
What to eat with ranch chicken?
This dish pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, egg noodles, or rice. Add steamed veggies or roasted green beans for a complete meal.
Can you use ranch as a binder for fried chicken?
Ranch dressing isn’t ideal as a binder, but Ranch seasoning mix works great for flavoring breading or marinades.
Why does ranch go with chicken?
Ranch seasoning adds a savory, herby kick that brings out the natural richness of chicken. It’s zesty, creamy, and comforting all at once.
Is ranch a good marinade for chicken?
Yes, especially when using Ranch seasoning mix. It tenderizes the meat while infusing it with bold, tangy flavor.
