This Easy Crock Pot Angel Chicken is the ultimate comfort food that combines simplicity and rich, creamy flavors. With tender chicken simmered in a luscious sauce, this dish is as effortless as it is delicious. Perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners, it’s a must-try recipe that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-off Cooking: The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. With just a few minutes of prep and the magic of the slow cooker, you can have a mouthwatering meal waiting for you by dinnertime.
- Creamy and Savory: The rich combination of cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and butter makes for a sauce that’s irresistibly creamy and flavorful. It’s the kind of sauce you’ll want to spoon over everything!
- Family-Friendly: With tender chicken and creamy goodness, this dish is a hit with both kids and adults alike. It’s a perfect way to get your family to the table without any hassle.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need to get this crock pot dish on the table. Nothing complicated here, just simple ingredients that come together to create a delicious meal!
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for this dish. They cook up tender and soak in all the delicious flavors from the sauce.
- Cream Cheese: This ingredient is key to creating that rich, velvety sauce that coats the chicken perfectly. Make sure it’s softened for smooth blending.
- Ranch Dressing Mix: The seasoning blend is what gives the sauce its bold flavor. It’s a quick way to add tons of zesty, herby goodness without any extra effort.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps the sauce come together. Plus, butter makes everything better.
- Chicken Broth: A little bit of chicken broth helps thin out the sauce just enough, creating that perfect balance of creamy and flavorful.
- Garlic Powder: For a savory, aromatic kick that rounds out the sauce.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste, for enhancing all those flavors in the dish.
Variations
Looking to switch things up a bit? Here are a few variations that might spark your creativity:
- Add Veggies: Toss in some sliced mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers to cook alongside the chicken for extra flavor and texture.
- Cheese Lover’s Dream: Top the finished dish with shredded mozzarella or parmesan cheese and let it melt for an added cheesy twist.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce for some extra heat.
- Swap the Protein: While chicken is traditional, you can also make this with pork chops or turkey breasts for a different take on the dish.
How to Make Easy Crock Pot Angel Chicken
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by placing your boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of the crock pot. You don’t need to do any fancy searing here—just add them directly.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, butter, and chicken broth. Mix everything together until smooth and creamy. If you’re adding any extra ingredients like veggies or cheese, go ahead and stir those in as well.
Step 3: Pour Over the Chicken
Pour the creamy sauce mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the crock pot. Make sure each piece of chicken is well-coated.
Step 4: Cook Low and Slow
Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours. The chicken will become incredibly tender and absorb all the delicious flavors of the sauce.
Step 5: Shred and Serve
Once the chicken is done cooking, use two forks to shred the chicken right in the crock pot. Stir everything together, letting the chicken soak up the creamy sauce before serving.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Don’t Overcrowd: Make sure there’s enough room in the crock pot for the chicken to cook evenly. If you’re making a larger batch, consider using a bigger slow cooker.
- Use Fresh Chicken: While frozen chicken breasts can be used, fresh chicken will result in a more tender texture.
- Adjust the Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thick after cooking, you can always add a splash more chicken broth or a bit of milk to thin it out.
How to Serve
This dish is wonderfully versatile and pairs well with so many different sides:
- Mashed Potatoes: A classic side to soak up the creamy sauce—comfort food at its best.
- Rice: Serve the chicken and sauce over a bed of fluffy white rice or brown rice for a heartier meal.
- Vegetables: Pair with steamed broccoli, roasted carrots, or a simple green salad to balance out the richness of the dish.
- Pasta: For a complete meal, serve the angel chicken with some pasta, like spaghetti or penne, for a comforting pasta dish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers from this Easy Crock Pot Angel Chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld, making it even more delicious the next day!
Freezing
If you’d like to freeze leftovers, you can store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken in the microwave or in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or milk to restore the creamy texture if needed.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, frozen chicken can be used, but it may need a little extra cooking time. Make sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it reaches 165°F.
Can I make this dish with chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs will add a bit more richness to the dish due to their higher fat content, and they’re just as tender when cooked in the slow cooker.
How can I make the sauce even creamier?
For an even creamier sauce, you can add a bit of heavy cream along with the chicken broth. This will add a touch of extra richness.
Can I add vegetables to the crock pot?
Yes! Feel free to add in veggies like carrots, onions, or bell peppers along with the chicken. They’ll cook beautifully in the slow cooker and soak up the flavors of the sauce.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Crock Pot Angel Chicken is a total winner for anyone looking for a fuss-free, flavorful dinner. The slow cooker does all the work, leaving you with a rich, creamy dish that will have you coming back for seconds. Whether you’re serving it over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta, this meal is guaranteed to be a hit. Don’t hesitate—try it out tonight and enjoy the effortless deliciousness!
PrintEasy Crock Pot Angel Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours
- Total Time: 6-7 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
A simple and delicious crockpot recipe featuring tender chicken cooked with a creamy sauce, perfect for a busy day.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the ranch seasoning, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, cream cheese, and butter until smooth.
- Pour the mixture over the chicken in the crockpot, ensuring the chicken is covered.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Shred the chicken with two forks and stir the sauce to combine.
- Top with shredded cheddar cheese, cover, and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Serve over rice, pasta, or vegetables as desired.
Notes
- For a lower-fat version, you can use low-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat ranch seasoning.
- This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes or steamed vegetables.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can reduce the amount of chicken broth used.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
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