This Easy Crock Pot Angel Chicken is an absolute game-changer for weeknight dinners. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a rich, creamy, and incredibly flavorful dish that practically cooks itself. Throw everything into the slow cooker, and a few hours later, you’re rewarded with tender chicken bathed in a luscious sauce that will make your taste buds sing. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen—when really, you’ve just set it and forgotten it. This dish is perfect for busy days when you want a comforting dinner with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless: Pop everything in the Crock Pot, and let it work its magic. No fuss, no mess—just easy, delicious comfort food.
- Creamy and Flavorful: The creamy sauce is the star of this dish. With a blend of cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and a few pantry staples, it delivers rich, indulgent flavor that’s irresistible.
- Perfect for Busy Nights: This is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal. You’ll be able to check other things off your to-do list while dinner practically cooks itself.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for this Easy Crock Pot Angel Chicken couldn’t be simpler. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Chicken Breasts: The main protein of the dish. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are perfect for their tenderness and ease of cooking in the slow cooker.
- Cream Cheese: This gives the sauce its creamy texture and rich flavor. Don’t skip it—it’s the key to that dreamy sauce!
- Ranch Seasoning Mix: Packed with flavor, ranch seasoning brings a savory, herby kick to the dish. It’s the secret ingredient that makes the sauce sing.
- Butter: Adds richness to the sauce and helps bring all the ingredients together.
- Garlic Powder: A must-have seasoning for that aromatic, savory undertone that complements the ranch and cream cheese.
- Chicken Broth: Helps to thin the sauce to the perfect consistency, while infusing even more flavor into the chicken.
- Parmesan Cheese: For a little extra cheesy goodness, parmesan helps thicken the sauce and adds a savory, salty finish.
- Parsley (optional): A garnish to brighten up the dish and add a bit of color.
Variations
Looking to switch things up a bit? Here are some fun variations for you to try:
- Add Veggies: You can throw in some sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach for a bit of extra flavor and texture. They’ll cook right in with the chicken and sauce!
- Spicy Kick: If you love a little heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or some diced jalapeños to the sauce.
- Swap the Protein: While chicken is the classic choice, you could easily use chicken thighs or even pork chops for a slightly different twist.
- Make It Lighter: You can lighten up the dish by using low-fat cream cheese and cutting down on the butter. It won’t lose any of the creamy goodness!
How to Make Easy Crock Pot Angel Chicken
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your Crock Pot. Don’t worry about browning or anything fancy—just layer them in there.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Sauce
In a separate bowl, mix together the cream cheese, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, butter, chicken broth, and parmesan cheese. Stir until smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Pour the Sauce Over the Chicken
Pour the creamy sauce over the chicken in the Crock Pot, making sure each piece of chicken is generously covered. You’ll love how the sauce slowly seeps into the chicken as it cooks.
Step 4: Cook
Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken shreds easily with a fork.
Step 5: Serve
Once the chicken is done, give it a quick shred with two forks right in the Crock Pot, mixing it into the sauce. Serve the chicken with the creamy sauce on top, and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Don’t Overcook: Overcooking can dry out the chicken, so make sure you keep an eye on the cooking time. Chicken breasts cook quickly in the Crock Pot, so check for doneness at around 4 hours.
- Cream Cheese Tip: For an ultra-smooth sauce, make sure the cream cheese is softened before mixing it in. This will prevent any lumps from forming.
- Perfect Pairings: If you prefer more sauce, feel free to add a bit more chicken broth. The extra sauce is great for serving over rice, mashed potatoes, or even pasta.
How to Serve
This dish pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Here are some great options to round out your meal:
- Over Rice: The creamy sauce is perfect for pouring over a fluffy bed of white rice or brown rice.
- With Mashed Potatoes: If you’re craving comfort, mashed potatoes are an excellent side that’ll soak up all the creamy sauce.
- Serve with Veggies: A side of roasted vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or green beans will balance the richness of the dish.
- On Top of Pasta: If you’re in the mood for pasta, serve the chicken and sauce over your favorite noodles.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This dish keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just store it in an airtight container, and you’ll have easy leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day.
Freezing
You can also freeze the chicken for up to 3 months. Once it’s cooled, transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, simply microwave it or heat it up on the stove over low heat, adding a little bit of chicken broth if it’s too thick.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts! Just be sure to cook them for a little longer, about 6-7 hours on low. The result will be just as tender.
Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
Absolutely! Low-fat cream cheese works just as well. The sauce might be a tad lighter, but still just as creamy and flavorful.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, you can definitely double the recipe if you’re feeding a larger crowd. Just make sure your Crock Pot is large enough to accommodate everything, and cook for the same amount of time.
What should I serve this with?
This dish is great with rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or even a fresh green salad. You can also pair it with roasted vegetables for a balanced meal.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a meal that’s delicious, comforting, and simple to make, this Easy Crock Pot Angel Chicken is a must-try. With its creamy, flavorful sauce and tender chicken, it’s the kind of dish that’s bound to become a staple in your weeknight dinner rotation. So, grab your Crock Pot and let it do the hard work for you—your taste buds will thank you!
PrintEasy Crock Pot Angel Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours
- Total Time: 4-6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Crockpot
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
A simple and delicious crockpot recipe for tender chicken cooked in a creamy sauce, perfect for busy days.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 1 packet Italian dressing mix
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot.
- In a small bowl, mix together the ranch dressing mix, Italian dressing mix, and chicken broth.
- Pour the seasoning mixture over the chicken breasts.
- Top the chicken with cream cheese and butter.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Shred the chicken in the sauce using two forks.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and mix everything together until creamy and well combined.
- Serve the creamy angel chicken over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- For a richer flavor, you can add extra Parmesan cheese or a splash of heavy cream.
- To make it a complete meal, add some vegetables like broccoli or carrots in the crockpot.
- Ensure the chicken is fully cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
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