Creamy Ranch Parmesan Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes
A cozy, family-friendly slow cooker dinner featuring tender chicken, creamy potatoes, ranch seasoning, and melted Parmesan cheese. This set-it-and-forget-it meal is perfect for busy weeknights or comforting Sunday suppers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes (low) or 3 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
- 1.5 pounds baby potatoes, halved or quartered (red or gold)
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (about 1 ounce)
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 75g)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (1 block)
- 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Wash and halve the baby potatoes (or quarter if large). Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If using thighs, trim excess fat.
- Place potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker. Arrange chicken breasts or thighs on top of potatoes. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- In a mixing bowl, blend softened cream cheese with chicken broth until smooth. Stir in ranch seasoning and half the Parmesan cheese. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken and potatoes.
- Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan over everything. Give it a gentle stir to coat.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is fork-tender and potatoes are soft but not mushy.
- Check for doneness: chicken should reach 165°F in the thickest part and potatoes should pierce easily with a fork. If sauce seems thin, remove lid for last 30 minutes to thicken.
- Stir gently to coat everything in sauce. Sprinkle with fresh parsley. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra parsley or chives if desired.
Notes
Use room-temperature cream cheese for a smoother sauce. For extra flavor, sear chicken before slow cooking. Stir halfway through if possible. For a golden top, broil finished dish with extra Parmesan for 2-3 minutes. Can be made gluten-free or dairy-free with substitutions. Prep ingredients the night before for easy mornings. If sauce is too thin, uncover for last 30 minutes or add a cornstarch slurry.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of recipe
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 34
Keywords: slow cooker, chicken, potatoes, ranch, Parmesan, creamy, family dinner, comfort food, easy, crockpot