Creamy Smothered Chicken
Tender, bite-sized chicken pieces are seasoned and seared, then smothered in a rich, creamy ranch sauce. This cozy one-skillet meal is perfect served over mashed potatoes or rice for an easy, comforting dinner.
Servings: 6
Calories: 1916kcal
Equipment
- Ranch Salad Dressing and Seasoning Mix (16 oz.)
- Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 3-4 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Creamy Sauce:
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/4 cup heavy cream or half & half for lighter option
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup sour cream adds tang and richness
- 1 can of cream of mushroom soup
- 1 oz ranch seasoning packet or 2–3 tbsp from a shaker
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
Cook the Chicken
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Season the chicken pieces with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden and fully cooked (about 6–8 minutes). Remove and set aside.
Make the Creamy Sauce
- In the same pan, melt 1 tbsp butter.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer for 1 minute to deglaze.
- In a separate bowl add heavy cream, sour cream, cream of mushroom and ranch seasoning. Stir until smooth.
- Add to the skillet and simmer for 3–5 minutes until it thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper.
Smother the Chicken
- Return cooked chicken to the pan.
- Simmer everything together for another 3–4 minutes so the chicken is smothered and coated in the sauce.
Serve over rice or mashed potatoes and Enjoy!
Notes
Ranch Seasoning: One packet contains about 3 tablespoons. If you prefer a lighter ranch flavor, use 1½ to 2 tablespoons instead. The shaker-style container works well for adjusting to taste.
Soup Options: You can use either cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup—both work beautifully in this recipe.
Chicken Cuts: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs add extra flavor and stay juicier than breasts, but either works well.
Lighter Version: Use half & half instead of heavy cream and light sour cream to reduce the richness.
Serving Tip: Start your rice or mashed potatoes just before or during the chicken cooking stage so everything is ready at the same time.
Add Veggies: For a full one-pan meal, try adding sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or peas to the sauce before smothering the chicken.