Cream Cheese Chicken Crock Pot
This creamy and flavorful cream cheese chicken dish transforms simple ingredients into a luxuriously creamy meal with minimal effort, cooked to perfection in a slow cooker.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for a juicier option)
- 16 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
- 1 cup chicken broth, low-sodium preferred
- 1 oz dry ranch seasoning mix
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
- 1/4 cup diced sun-dried tomatoes for added tanginess (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Preparation
- Begin by ensuring your cream cheese is at room temperature to prevent lumps.
- Pat your chicken dry with paper towels.
Seasoning
- Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Optionally sear the chicken in a hot pan with olive oil for added flavor.
Crock Pot Preparation
- Coat the slow cooker with cooking oil or use a slow cooker liner.
- Pour the olive oil into the bottom of the crock pot.
Layering Ingredients
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the bottom of the crock pot.
- Place the seasoned chicken on top.
Cream Cheese Mixture
- In a bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and ranch seasoning.
- Pour over the chicken in the crock pot.
Cooking
- Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Adding Cream Cheese
- Add the cubed cream cheese to the crock pot 30-45 minutes before serving.
Shredding and Mixing
- Once the cream cheese has melted, shred the chicken using two forks.
- Return the shredded chicken to the crock pot and stir to incorporate the sauce.
Final Seasoning
- Adjust the seasoning as necessary and stir in dried dill.
Serving
- Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
Consider meal prepping this dish for quick lunches throughout the week. Use Neufchâtel cheese for a lighter version or add vegetables for extra nutrition.