Description
Comfort meets convenience in these ranch-infused crock pot chicken sandwiches, slow-cooked to tender perfection. Hearty and flavorful, these sandwiches deliver a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
Seasoning and Dairy:
- 1 packet (1 ounce/28 grams) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 block (8 ounces/225 grams) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) sour cream
Spices and Add-ons:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 6 sandwich buns or rolls
Optional Toppings:
- Crispy bacon slices
- Sliced pickles
- Shredded lettuce
- Sliced tomatoes
- Cheese slices (cheddar, provolone, or Swiss)
Instructions
- Nestle chicken breasts in the base of the slow cooker, generously coating them with ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Dollop cream cheese across the chicken and gently pour chicken broth into the cooking vessel, ensuring an even distribution of creamy elements.
- Secure the lid and allow the chicken to simmer on low temperature for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, monitoring until the meat becomes remarkably tender.
- Extract the chicken breasts and utilize two forks to meticulously shred the protein into delicate strands, then reintroduce the shredded meat into the aromatic liquid.
- Incorporate sour cream into the mixture, stirring thoroughly to create a luxuriously smooth and tangy sauce that envelops the chicken completely.
- Select soft, pillowy sandwich buns and generously pile the ranch-infused chicken onto each roll.
- Enhance the sandwich with optional garnishes such as crisp bacon strips, zesty pickle slices, crisp lettuce leaves, ripe tomato rounds, or melted cheese.
- Present the sandwiches alongside complementary sides like crisp potato chips, golden french fries, or a refreshing garden salad for a complete meal experience.
Notes
- Customize the ranch seasoning by mixing your own blend using dried herbs like dill, parsley, and chives for a more personalized flavor profile.
- Use low-fat cream cheese and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to create a lighter, healthier version of the sandwich filling.
- Meal prep friendly: Store the shredded ranch chicken in airtight containers for up to 4 days in the refrigerator, making quick lunches and dinners a breeze.
- Transform the recipe for different diets by using gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps for a low-carb option, and opt for dairy-free cream cheese alternatives for those with lactose sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg