Ranch Chicken Crock Pot Pasta with Fresh Herbs

Name: Ranch Chicken Crock Pot Pasta with Fresh Herbs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 255 min
Ingredients: 1 pound Chicken Breasts, boneless, skinless; 3 cups Chicken Broth or Stock ((Can also use Vegetable or Beef broth or stock)); 2 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley, chopped ((divided 1 tbsp for cooking and 1 tbsp for garnish)); 1 Tablespoon Fresh Dill, chopped; 2 Tablespoons Fresh Scallions, sliced; 2 cloves Garlic, minced; 1/2 teaspoon Salt; 1/2 teaspoon Ground black pepper; 4 ounces Cream Cheese; 1/2 cup Sour Cream; 1/4 cup Mayonnaise; 16 ounces Dry Pasta, short cut

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This fresh version of Creamy Ranch Chicken Crock Pot Pasta using fresh dill, parsley, and scallions is creamy, tangy, and utterly delicious! It’s also so easy to make, so it’s a great weeknight dinner.

Ranch Chicken Crock Pot Pasta in the crockpot with wood spoon using fresh dill, parsley, and scallions is creamy, tangy, and utterly delicious! It's also so easy to make, so it's a great weeknight dinner.

This is one warm, comforting, creamy, decadent, and hearty dinner! My Ranch Chicken Crock Pot Pasta dinner uses fresh herbs and ingredients instead of the packet of dry ranch dressing mix. It’s still incredibly easy to make but tastes even better. The chicken, broth, and fresh garlic and herbs cook in the slow cooker. Then cooked pasta and creamy, tangy cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise are added. It all comes together in one very creamy and delicious dinner that is reminiscent of ranch with the richness of a cream sauce.

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Ranch Chicken Crock Pot Pasta on a plate with fork and towel next it on counter. It uses fresh dill, parsley, and scallions is creamy, tangy, and utterly delicious! It's also so easy to make, so it's a great weeknight dinner.

Ranch Done the Homemade Way

We all know and love Ranch dressing that comes in a bottle. It’s delicious on salads or as a dip for anything from carrots to french fries. But, homemade ranch seasoning or homemade ranch dressing mix is simply dried herbs and seasonings, so why not make a Ranch recipe with fresh herbs? This is a delicious easy slow cooker chicken recipe.

This recipe is fresh and easy. Just keep scrolling to see how simple the ingredients are!

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Simple Ingredients and Swaps for Ranch Chicken Slow Cooker Pasta

Fridge and Fresh Ingredients

Chicken Breasts, boneless, skinless – I always have raw chicken breasts in the freezer as they can last up to 12 months if in an airtight container or packaging. Thaw frozen chicken breasts in the fridge 24 hours in advance.You can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs. Check out all of my tips on Prepping and Storing Chicken for Easier Dinners.
Fresh Parsley – If you don’t have fresh, you can use dried. You can also substitute with cilantro if you prefer or leave the parsley out all together.
Fresh Dill – Dill is one of the key ingredients in ranch. If you don’t have fresh, you can use dried dill.
Fresh Scallions – Scallions (green onions) really give flavor to this recipe. You can substitute with chives, shallots or finely diced onion.
Garlic cloves – You can use the pre-minced garlic in a jar, dried garlic, or garlic powder if you do not have fresh cloves.
Cream Cheese – Cream cheese brings depth, tang, and creaminess and helps to thicken it up. You can substitute with plain greek yogurt, which will also give the tanginess. You can also substitute in mascarpone for the creaminess, but you will not get the same tanginess.
Sour Cream – You can substitute with plain greek yogurt or mascarpone.
Mayonnaise – Mayonnaise brings more depth to this recipe and is a nod to ranch dressing. I love the flavor that it imparts, but you can swap it out and use more sour cream, greek yogurt, or marscapone.

Pantry Ingredients

Chicken Broth or Stock – You can use reconstituted bouillon cubes, chicken base, or premade broth or stock. You can also use Vegetable or Beef broth or stock.
Salt and Ground black pepper
Pasta – For this recipe, short cut dry pasta works the best in terms of holding up to mixing and holding the sauce in all of the short cut nooks and crannies. I used a cavatelli cut, but rotini, fusilli, penne, rotini, orecchiette, or even elbow pasta would work great.

Recipe Equipment Needed

I made this recipe in a slow cooker. However, you could also make it in the oven in a dutch oven or small roasting pan with a lid. See the Stovetop Instructions down below!

Mincing garlic is made super easy with a Garlic Press.

Time Saving Prep-Ahead Steps for this Recipe

We are all extremely busy and making dinner during the week can be overwhelming. Here are steps you can prepare ahead to save time on busy nights! (See the full recipe below)

To get ahead on this one, you can chop the parsley and dill. Slice the scallions. Mince the garlic. You can also measure out the salt and pepper and the chicken broth or stock.

Ingredients in bowls on counter for Ranch Chicken Crock Pot Pasta recipe. It uses fresh dill, parsley, and scallions is creamy, tangy, and utterly delicious! It's also so easy to make, so it's a great weeknight dinner.

You can also combine all of these ingredients (chicken broth, garlic powder, salt, pepper, dill, parsley (reserve 1 tablespoon for garnish), garlic, and scallions), and the raw chicken to the crockpot insert and store it covered in the fridge the night before.

Tongs adding raw chicken breast to broth and herbs in crockpot for Ranch Chicken Crock Pot Pasta recipe. It uses fresh dill, parsley, and scallions is creamy, tangy, and utterly delicious! It's also so easy to make, so it's a great weeknight dinner.

Cooking Steps for Ranch Chicken Crock Pot Pasta

If you haven’t already done so, to the slow cooker insert pot, add the chicken broth, garlic powder, salt, pepper, dill, parsley (reserve 1 tablespoon for garnish), garlic, and scallions. Stir to combine. Add the chicken breasts. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours.

Cook the pasta to al dente. Drain and set aside.
When the chicken is done cooking, remove it and shred it using your fingers or two forks.

Two forks shredding cooked chicken breast for Ranch Chicken Crock Pot Pasta recipe. It uses fresh dill, parsley, and scallions is creamy, tangy, and utterly delicious! It's also so easy to make, so it's a great weeknight dinner.

In a separate bowl, add the cream cheese and ¼ cup of the hot cooking liquid. Stir with a fork to start to melt the cream cheese and smash using the back of the fork. Add the sour cream and mayonnaise and stir to combine.

Add the shredded chicken back to the slow cooker along with the pasta. Stir to combine. Then mix in the cream sauce.

Creamy ingredients added to cooked pasta and chicken in crockpot for Ranch Chicken Crock Pot Pasta recipe. It uses fresh dill, parsley, and scallions is creamy, tangy, and utterly delicious! It's also so easy to make, so it's a great weeknight dinner.

Stove Top Instructions Ranch Chicken Pasta

If you don’t have a crock pot, you can make this recipe on the stove in a dutch oven or high sided skillet. Start by browning the chicken in the pot or pan on both sides in a preheated hot pan with a drizzle of olive oil. Then add the other ingredients in Cooking Step 1. bring to a simmer and then cover and simmer for 10-15 until the chicken is cooked through. Follow the rest of the instructions for shredding the chicken, adding the cooked pasta, and the sauce.

What To Serve With this Ranch Chicken Pasta

You can serve a crusty bread, cool and crisp side salad, or roasted vegetables with this pasta dish. But, for even more inspired ideas, check out some easy and delicious side dish recipes in this round up!

Ranch Chicken Crock Pot Pasta Recipe FAQS

Can I use chicken thighs in this Ranch chicken recipe

You can use chicken thighs in this Ranch Chicken Crock Pot recipe instead of breasts. I recommend sticking with boneless skinless thighs for easy prep and cooking. Consider the amount of thighs that you will need as well. Generally, I estimate 16 ounces or 1 pound of chicken for 4 servings. That will likely mean 5-6 boneless skinless thighs, depending on their size. The recipe instructions will be the same for thighs as the breasts

Can I use leftover chicken or leftover turkey for this Ranch Chicken?

You can use leftover chicken or leftover turkey in this Ranch chicken recipe. Shred or cut the cooked chicken or turkey into cubes. Add it to a dutch oven or high sided skillet with the other ingredients in Cooking Step 1. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Follow the rest of the instructions for shredding the chicken, adding the cooked pasta, and the sauce.

How can I make this Crockpot Ranch Chicken Pasta Gluten Free?

The gluten in this recipe comes from the pasta, so simply replace it with a gluten free pasta of your choice.

Can I make this Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken Pasta ahead?

You can make the chicken and sauce ahead and mix with the pasta when you are ready to eat. Or you can make the entire dish including the pasta in advance. For anything cooked in advance, store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. To reheat, you can place in a wide bottom pot or pan covered in the oven at 350 F degrees for 20-30 minutes until heated through. You can add a splash of milk if needed for moisture.

ENJOY! 😍 Carrie

Aso, be sure to check out the web story for this Ranch Chicken Pasta recipe!

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