Creamy Ranch Chicken Skillet
A quick and easy one-pan meal featuring tender chicken in a rich, creamy ranch sauce, topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a weeknight dinner!
Equipment
- large skillet (preferably oven-safe)
- wooden spoon
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch seasoning mix
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend like Colby Jack)
- fresh parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Cooking Steps
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add cubed chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and mostly cooked.
- Remove chicken and set aside; then, reduce heat, add chicken broth to the skillet, and simmer for 2-3 minutes while scraping up browned bits.
- Whisk in heavy cream, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Return chicken to the skillet, coating it in the sauce, and simmer for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens and chicken is fully cooked.
- Sprinkle cheese over the chicken and either cover to melt or broil for 1-2 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce. This recipe can also be made with cooked pasta - simply stir it into the creamy sauce along with the chicken!