1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Creamy Ranch Chicken Skillet

Creamy Ranch Chicken Skillet

Category: Simple & Delicious Chicken Recipes

This creamy ranch chicken skillet pairs tender golden-seared chicken with a luscious, savory sauce made from sour cream, cream of chicken, and zesty ranch seasoning. Italian spices and onion powder add aromatic depth, while a little butter and olive oil create a golden crust on the meat. The sauce brings everything together for maximum flavor and keeps the chicken moist. Serve with warm baked potatoes and crisp vegetables to soak up the extra sauce. This skillet meal comes together fast, making it a cozy and crowd-pleasing option for any night of the week.

Pin It Share Share Print Jump to Recipe
A woman with a chef's hat holding a plant.
Updated on Wed, 30 Jul 2025 01:53:43 GMT
A plate of food with chicken, potatoes, and green beans. Pin
A plate of food with chicken, potatoes, and green beans. | quickdinnerfix.com

Creamy Ranch Chicken is the kind of dinner you keep in your back pocket for busy nights. Tender skillet-seared chicken simmers in a lusciously creamy ranch sauce that comes together with pantry basics. It is family-friendly comfort food ready in about half an hour. I like to serve it with green beans and a fluffy baked potato to catch all that rich sauce.

The first time I made this, I was in a pinch with only chicken breasts and some soup in the pantry. Now it is the top request when my nieces visit. They love swirling their potatoes in the ranchy sauce.

Ingredients

  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts: get extra juicy when sliced thin and tenderized
  • Italian seasoning: adds a herby punch to flavor the chicken before cooking
  • Salt and black pepper: let you control the overall seasoning base
  • Butter: helps brown the chicken for caramelized edges use real butter for best flavor
  • Olive oil: gets the sear going and prevents dinner from sticking in the skillet
  • Cream of chicken soup: is the backbone of the sauce choose low sodium if you prefer
  • Milk: transforms the soup into a luscious pourable gravy use whole milk for richness
  • Sour cream: makes the sauce ultra creamy and tangy let it come to room temp for smooth blending
  • Onion powder: builds aromatic flavor without overpowering the ranch notes
  • Ranch seasoning mix: brings herby zesty depth look for ranch seasoning not dip mix for best results

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep the Chicken:
Slice chicken breasts into two or three thinner pieces then gently pound to create half-inch thick cutlets for even cooking
Season and Butter:
Sprinkle both sides of each piece with Italian seasoning salt and pepper then brush melted but not hot butter onto one side
Sear in Skillet:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high until shimmering then sear chicken pieces in batches for about four to five minutes per side leaving space so they brown nicely set cooked chicken aside
Make Creamy Sauce:
To the same skillet add cream of chicken soup milk sour cream onion powder and ranch seasoning stirring thoroughly to combine then let the mixture gently bubble for five minutes to reduce slightly
Combine and Simmer:
Nestle the chicken back into the skillet spooning sauce over the top then partially cover and let everything simmer about ten minutes until the chicken is hot and infused with sauce
Serve and Enjoy:
Spoon chicken and a generous drizzle of sauce over warm baked potatoes with steamed veggies alongside for a classic comforting meal
A plate of food with chicken, potatoes, and green beans. Pin
A plate of food with chicken, potatoes, and green beans. | quickdinnerfix.com

I am always amazed at how the ranch seasoning amplifies the flavor of this dish without making it taste like regular bottled ranch. My favorite part is how the sauce seeps into a split baked potato making it taste like a whole new comfort food. One Christmas my nephew asked for this instead of ham and I realized it is truly a crowd-pleaser.

Storage Tips

Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days in the refrigerator. You can freeze portions including sauce for up to three months. If making ahead for meal prep I sometimes freeze cooked potatoes and microwave everything together for speedy lunches.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you do not have chicken breasts you can use boneless thighs or even pork chops with no major changes. For cream of chicken soup try cream of mushroom for a slightly earthier taste. Greek yogurt works well for sour cream especially if you want extra tang. If out of Italian seasoning improvise a blend from dried oregano basil and thyme.

Serving Suggestions

This dish goes perfectly with baked or mashed potatoes to soak up extra sauce. For vegetables try green beans broccoli or even frozen peas stirred into the sauce. For added flair sprinkle crispy bacon bits or a little shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken before serving.

A plate of food with chicken, potatoes, and green beans. Pin
A plate of food with chicken, potatoes, and green beans. | quickdinnerfix.com

Cultural and Historical Context

Ranch flavors have been a beloved staple in American kitchens since the fifties originating in California. This recipe takes those familiar flavors and brings them up a notch with a creamy pan sauce that feels retro and modern at once. It is a great way to bridge picky eaters and adults at the table.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work well, just adjust cooking time for doneness and slice for even thickness.

→ How do I make the sauce creamier?

Adding a touch more sour cream or a splash of heavy cream to the sauce will boost its creaminess and richness.

→ What can I serve with creamy ranch chicken?

Baked potatoes and steamed green beans make perfect sides, but any roasted veggie or rice will work nicely.

→ Can I freeze leftovers?

Absolutely. Store in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months for a quick lunch or dinner.

→ Is ranch seasoning the same as ranch dip mix?

No, ranch dip mix is different and will alter the taste. Use ranch seasoning blend for balanced, zesty flavor.

→ How can I add more flavor?

Try topping with crispy crumbled bacon, fresh parsley, or shredded cheese for extra layers of taste and texture.

Creamy Ranch Chicken Skillet

Creamy ranch chicken cooked in skillet with zesty sauce; a quick, flavorful meal idea for busy evenings.

Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
30 min

Category: Chicken

Skill Level: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 portions)

Dietary Preferences: ~

Ingredients

→ Chicken

01 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
03 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
04 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
05 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Sauce

06 298 grams (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
07 360 millilitres (1 ½ cups) whole milk
08 240 millilitres (1 cup) sour cream, at room temperature
09 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
10 28 grams (1 oz) Ranch seasoning mix

Steps

Step 01

Slice each chicken breast into 2 to 3 evenly sized fillets. If necessary, gently pound with a meat mallet until they are approximately 1.25 cm thick.

Step 02

Sprinkle both sides of each chicken piece with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Brush one side of each fillet with melted butter, ensuring the butter is not hot to prevent cooking the chicken prematurely.

Step 03

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, sear the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side until a golden brown crust forms. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 04

In the same skillet over medium heat, combine cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, onion powder, and Ranch seasoning mix. Stir until smooth and fully incorporated. Allow the sauce to gently simmer and reduce for 5 minutes.

Step 05

Return chicken fillets to the skillet, spoon sauce over each piece. Partially cover the pan and simmer for approximately 10 minutes, allowing the chicken to heat through and absorb the sauce's flavors.

Step 06

Serve the creamy Ranch chicken with your choice of side, such as baked potatoes and vegetables. Spoon additional sauce over each component as desired.

Notes

  1. Use Ranch seasoning mix, not Ranch dip mix, for optimal flavor balance.
  2. Ranch seasoning enhances the sauce with a savory, zesty depth rather than tasting like prepared Ranch dressing.
  3. For added texture, top with crispy crumbled bacon before serving.
  4. Frozen mixed vegetables can be stirred into the sauce when initially combining; adjust heating time as needed.
  5. If using small chicken breasts, use 3 to 4 in place of 2 large.
  6. Leftovers store well; refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Required Equipment

  • Large skillet or frying pan
  • Meat tenderizer or mallet
  • Chef’s knife
  • Cutting board
  • Heatproof spatula or tongs

Allergy Information

Double-check each ingredient to identify potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Contains dairy (butter, milk, sour cream, cream of chicken soup)
  • Contains gluten (cream of chicken soup, Ranch seasoning mix may contain gluten)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

These details are for informational purposes and don’t replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 469
  • Fat: ~
  • Carbs: ~
  • Protein: ~