Creamy Ranch Chicken over rice in rustic bowl — Creamy ranch comfort in one cozy bowl

🍽️ Creamy Ranch Chicken and Rice

Name: Creamy Ranch Chicken and Rice
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken tenders or thighs; 1 tbsp olive oil or butter; 1 small onion (finely chopped); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1 tsp paprika; salt & pepper (to taste); 1 tbsp ranch seasoning mix; 1 tbsp flour; 1 cup chicken broth; 1 cup milk or half-and-half; 0.5 cup sour cream or cream cheese; 2 cups cooked rice; chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

A One Pan Dinner Even Picky Eaters Will Love

If comfort had a flavor, this would be it. This creamy ranch chicken and rice is everything you crave on a busy weeknight: rich, savory, and ready in 35 minutes flat. The chicken is tender and juicy, the creamy ranch sauce is dreamy, and when it all comes together over warm rice it’s a plate full of cozy magic.

Whether you’re cooking for little ones or grown-up picky eaters, this dish is one of those chicken recipes that never fails to please.

Table of Contents

🍳 One Pan Dinner, Many Ways to Serve

This skillet chicken recipe keeps things simple (only one pan to wash!) and tastes incredible with:

Rice (white, brown, or cauliflower)
Mashed potatoes or egg noodles
Biscuits or baked sweet potatoes
Wrapped in a tortilla for ranch chicken wraps

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need For Creamy Ranch Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken tenders or thighs
1 tbsp olive oil or butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp paprika
Salt & pepper to taste
1 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
1 tbsp flour
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk or half-and-half
½ cup sour cream (or cream cheese)
2 cups cooked rice
Optional: chopped parsley for garnish

Ingredients for creamy ranch chicken and rice

👩‍🍳 Directions For Creamy Ranch Chicken

Season & Sear: Season your chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and ranch mix. Heat oil in a large skillet and cook chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.
Sauté Veggies: In the same pan, sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
Make the Sauce: Sprinkle in flour, then whisk in chicken broth and milk. Let it simmer until slightly thickened.
Cream It Up: Stir in sour cream until creamy. Add more ranch seasoning to taste.
Smother & Simmer: Return chicken to skillet. Spoon the sauce over and simmer covered for 10–12 minutes.
Serve: Spoon over rice and garnish with parsley if desired.

Chicken tenders cooking in creamy ranch sauce — Let that ranch gravy simmer to perfection

⏱️ Fast Facts:

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 25 min
Total Time: 35 min
Servings: 4
Calories: ~420 per serving

💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

✅ One pan cleanup
✅ Loaded with creamy ranch flavor
✅ Perfect for kids and picky eaters
✅ Fast and filling
✅ Customizable for any diet

🥭 Add a Fresh Twist on the Side

Want to turn this ranch chicken into a summertime hit? Try serving it with:

A fruity side of peach foods for party nights
A tropical coconut salsa or sweet salsa recipe
Some fun salsa recipes or a light salsa for salmon summer
All of these salsa ideas balance out the rich chicken beautifully!

🧊 Storing Tips:

Fridge: Store in airtight container up to 4 days
Freezer: Freeze chicken and sauce separately from rice
Reheat: Gently warm on stove or microwave with splash of broth

Plated creamy ranch chicken and rice — The easiest comfort dinner served!

Craving more creamy comfort? Don’t miss this cozy favorite:
➡️ Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice

🥰 Final Thoughts from Emma

Creamy ranch chicken is the kind of easy chicken dinner that just gets better every time you make it. It’s rich, family-friendly, and fast and that’s exactly what a busy kitchen needs. 💛

🌟 Got a favorite way to use ranch chicken? Let me know in the comments and don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest for more creamy, dreamy dinners like this!