Slowcooker cheesy chicken ranch melts

Chicken isn’t just for eating alone! Pair it with homemade ranch seasoning in the crockpot and load it up with cheese on a bun to transforming it into Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Ranch Melts for a downright comforting meal. 

Growing up, my Mom made cheesy ranch chicken melts. They would melt in our mouths with every cheese oozing out with every bite. We would devour them and beg for seconds and thirds. It was one of my favorite dinners so naturally, it was my inspiration for this Cheesy Chicken Ranch Melts.

To make those creamy chicken melts, my Mom would do a lot of work baking the chicken in the oven, shredding it, adding it to a pan to cook with spices and broth and finally melting it with cheese under the broiler. Her kitchen looked a bit like an assembly line. She would bribe us to help her which we reluctantly did because we knew we were about to eat an incredibly satisfying meal.

But unlike my mother, I don’t have the time (or patience) to prepare a complicated meal which is why I take the shortcut by making this delectable, mouthwatering recipe in the crockpot. Just toss all the ingredients into the pot and go about your day without worrying about what’s for dinner. I love how slow cooking makes the chicken extra juicy and tender. Not to mention, there’s less dishes to clean! 

Ingredients
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts 
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing mix
salt & pepper to taste
8 burger buns
2 tablespoons butter, softened
Thinly sliced jalapeño slices, if desired
Ranch dressing for dipping, if desired

Dry Ranch Dressing Mix
1 teaspoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon thyme
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
1. Spray your slow cooker with cooking spray. Place the chicken breasts in the pot a single layer and sprinkle with salt & pepper. 

2. Now you take the lazy way and buy a dry ranch dressing mix or make your own. It’s really very simple and the ingredients are all things I’m willing to bet you already have. In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the ranch dressing seasoning. Then toss over the chicken breasts along with the broth.

3. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours. Remove the lid and using a spatula, break up the chicken. It should shred easily and most of the liquid should be gone. If not, allow the chicken to cook a little longer until it shreds. After the chicken is shredded, switch the slow cooker to low and pile on the cheese! Cook on low for 10 minutes just until the cheese melts and gets real gooey.

5. Meanwhile, set the oven to broil. Butter each half of the buns, place them on a cookie sheet with the butter sides up. Broil 1-2 minutes until golden brown.  

6. Remove the buns from the oven, pile on some of that cheesy chicken goodness onto one side of the bun, top with a few jalapenos for spice.

A quick tip! If you’re just too busy or HUNGRY and cannot wait to dive into this cheesy goodness (I wouldn’t blame you), then skip toasting the buns altogether and go straight to eating.  

If you’re like me trying to figure out what to feed your family (with minimal effort), then do yourself a favor and add these Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Ranch Melts to your list.

This taste-of-home meal is packed full of flavor and a breeze to put together. It will make your dinnertime rush easy and delicious. Plus, it can be easily doubled if you need to feed a crowd.

Weeknight dinners don’t get much easier than this!