Imagine coming home to a kitchen filled with the irresistible aroma of tender, creamy garlic chicken that practically melts in your mouth – no complicated cooking skills required! This Creamy Slow Cooker Garlic Chicken is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish that will have your family begging for seconds. Whether you're a busy professional, a tired parent, or just someone who loves delicious food without hours of preparation, this recipe is about to become your new weeknight hero.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by patting chicken breasts dry with paper towels and seasoning both sides with salt and pepper.
- Place chicken breasts into the slow cooker in a single layer, ensuring they are not overlapping.
- Sprinkle minced garlic evenly over the chicken breasts.
- Distribute ranch seasoning mix across the chicken, ensuring even coverage.
- Pour chicken broth carefully around the sides of the chicken, avoiding washing off the seasoning.
- Cut cream cheese into cubes and scatter over and around the chicken breasts.
- Cover slow cooker and set to low heat, cooking for 6 hours until chicken is tender and easily shreds.
- After cooking time completes, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the creamy sauce.
- Stir the shredded chicken to combine with the creamy sauce, ensuring even coating.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Transfer to serving dish and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
- Serve hot, optionally over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread.
Tips
- Choose the Right Chicken: Use fresh, high-quality boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the most tender result. Pat them dry before seasoning to ensure better flavor absorption.
- Cream Cheese Hack: Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking to help it melt more smoothly into the sauce.
- Don't Overcrowd: Arrange chicken in a single layer to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor distribution.
- Seasoning Secret: For an extra flavor boost, consider adding a pinch of dried herbs like thyme or rosemary along with the ranch seasoning.
- Shredding Technique: Use two forks to shred the chicken while it's still in the slow cooker to soak up all the delicious creamy sauce.
- Serving Suggestions: This versatile dish pairs perfectly with rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or can be used in tacos, sandwiches, and salads.
- Storage Tip: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, making it perfect for meal prep.Pro Tip: For those watching calories, you can use low-fat cream cheese and low-sodium chicken broth without compromising on flavor!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 5g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 135mg
