Description
A creamy, comforting slow cooker dish featuring juicy chicken thighs, tender potatoes, and a rich cheesy ranch sauce. Perfect for meal prep as it reheats well and tastes even better on subsequent days.
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Baby potatoes (red or Yukon Gold), washed and halved if large
- 1 packet dry ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt (optional, for seasoning chicken)
Instructions
- Wash baby potatoes thoroughly. If large, cut them in half. Place them at the bottom of the slow cooker to create a bed.
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper on both sides. Place them on top of the potatoes.
- Sprinkle the entire packet of dry ranch seasoning over the chicken and potatoes. Add garlic powder and black pepper. Toss gently to coat ingredients evenly.
- Mix chicken broth and heavy cream in a measuring cup. Pour this mixture over the chicken and potatoes. The liquid should come about halfway up the chicken.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is tender and potatoes are soft.
- In the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese. Cover and let it melt into the sauce, stirring gently to combine.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
- Let the dish rest for 10 minutes after cooking to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
Notes
[‘Do not overfill the slow cooker; leave space for steam circulation.’, ‘Shred your own cheese for better melting; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents.’, ‘Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts during slow cooking.’, ‘Let the dish rest for 10 minutes after cooking to thicken the sauce.’, ‘For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt added at the end.’, ‘Ensure ranch seasoning and broth are certified gluten-free if needed.’]
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/4 of
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: slow cooker, meal prep, ranch chicken, cheesy potatoes, easy dinner, comfort food, chicken thighs, lunch box