Crockpot Angel Chicken is a simple, creamy, and flavorful dish that’s perfect for busy days when you want a comforting meal without spending hours in the kitchen. This dish features chicken cooked slowly in a rich, creamy sauce made with cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and Italian dressing mix, resulting in tender, juicy chicken that’s bursting with flavor. Serve it with rice, mashed potatoes, or your favorite side dish for a delicious and easy dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Crockpot Angel Chicken is the definition of convenience and comfort. The slow cooking process ensures that the chicken becomes incredibly tender and absorbs all the delicious flavors of the creamy sauce. It’s a hands-off recipe that takes minimal prep time but delivers a satisfying, flavorful meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish requires very little effort, yet it tastes like you spent all day cooking. Plus, it’s versatile, allowing you to serve it with various sides to suit your taste.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 packet Italian dressing mix
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
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Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot. Season them with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
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Make the Sauce: In a bowl, combine the ranch seasoning mix, Italian dressing mix, softened cream cheese, chicken broth, and melted butter. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
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Cook the Chicken: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken breasts in the crockpot, making sure the chicken is fully coated.
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Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shredded.
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Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked through and tender, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the crockpot, mixing it into the creamy sauce.
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Serve: Serve the shredded chicken and creamy sauce over rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta. Garnish with chopped parsley or additional seasonings if desired.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4-6
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
Variations
- Use Chicken Thighs: If you prefer dark meat, swap the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a more flavorful and juicy option.
- Make It Spicy: Add some red pepper flakes or a bit of hot sauce to the sauce mixture to give the dish a little kick.
- Add Veggies: You can throw in some diced onions, mushrooms, or bell peppers to cook along with the chicken for added flavor and nutrition.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use dairy-free cream cheese and substitute chicken broth for vegetable broth for a dairy-free version of this dish.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of chicken broth to loosen it up.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken in this recipe. Just make sure the chicken is fully cooked and shredded once it’s done cooking. If using frozen chicken, you may need to add an extra 30-60 minutes to the cooking time.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare everything the night before and store it in the refrigerator. Then, cook it the next day as directed. You can also store leftovers for later meals.
How do I make the sauce thicker?
If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can mix in a slurry of cornstarch and water at the end of cooking. Combine 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water, and stir it into the sauce. Let it cook on high for an additional 15 minutes to thicken.
Can I use a different seasoning mix?
Yes, you can swap the ranch and Italian seasoning mixes with your favorite seasoning blends. A combination of garlic powder, onion powder, and dried herbs can also work well if you don’t have those mixes.
How do I know when the chicken is done?
The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If it shreds easily with a fork, it’s cooked perfectly.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Yes, you can freeze leftover Angel Chicken. Let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat.
What can I serve with Crockpot Angel Chicken?
This dish pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or even a simple side salad. You can also serve it with steamed vegetables or roasted potatoes for a well-rounded meal.
Can I add cheese to the sauce?
Yes! Adding some shredded cheese like mozzarella, Parmesan, or cheddar to the sauce can make it even more creamy and flavorful.
Can I use a different type of chicken?
Yes, you can use chicken thighs or even chicken tenders for a slightly different texture and flavor.
Can I make this recipe in the Instant Pot?
Yes, you can make this recipe in the Instant Pot by cooking the chicken and sauce mixture on high pressure for 12-15 minutes, then shredding the chicken once it’s done.
Conclusion
Crockpot Angel Chicken is an easy, creamy, and satisfying dish that delivers big on flavor with minimal effort. The slow-cooked chicken becomes incredibly tender, soaking up all the creamy goodness from the ranch and Italian seasoning mixture. It’s a comforting meal that’s perfect for busy days or lazy weekends, and it’s versatile enough to be served with a variety of sides. Whether you’re feeding a family or preparing a meal for yourself, this recipe is sure to be a hit!
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Crockpot Angel Chicken
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: Use Chicken Thighs: For more flavor and juiciness, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Spicy Option: Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce for a bit of heat. Add Veggies: For extra nutrition, throw in diced onions, mushrooms, or bell peppers to cook with the chicken. Dairy-Free Option: Swap the cream cheese for dairy-free alternatives and use vegetable broth for a dairy-free version. Storage/Reheating: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding more chicken broth if the sauce thickens too much.
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Dinner, Crockpot, Comfort Food
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Crockpot Angel Chicken is a rich, creamy, and comforting dish that delivers a satisfying meal with minimal effort. This slow-cooked chicken is bathed in a creamy sauce made with ranch seasoning, Italian dressing mix, and cream cheese, creating a tender, flavorful dish that’s perfect for busy nights. Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta for a deliciously easy dinner. It’s a family-friendly recipe that can be customized with various sides and ingredients, ensuring everyone loves it!
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 packet Italian dressing mix
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Make the Sauce: In a bowl, combine the ranch seasoning, Italian dressing mix, softened cream cheese, chicken broth, and melted butter. Stir until smooth and well mixed.
- Cook the Chicken: Pour the sauce over the chicken, ensuring it’s fully coated.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender and easily shredded.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, shred it using two forks directly in the crockpot, mixing it into the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the shredded chicken and sauce over rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta. Garnish with chopped parsley or additional seasonings if desired.
Notes
- Use Chicken Thighs: For more flavor and juiciness, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Spicy Option: Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce for a bit of heat.
- Add Veggies: For extra nutrition, throw in diced onions, mushrooms, or bell peppers to cook with the chicken.
- Dairy-Free Option: Swap the cream cheese for dairy-free alternatives and use vegetable broth for a dairy-free version.
- Storage/Reheating: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding more chicken broth if the sauce thickens too much.
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