This Mississippi Chicken recipe is the stuff of dinnertime dreams: it’s easy, ultra-flavorful, and takes just minutes to prep before your slow cooker works its magic. With juicy chicken, tangy pepperoncini, savory ranch and au jus seasonings, and a touch of butter for richness, it’s no wonder this has become a comfort food favorite for busy families everywhere!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: There’s practically zero prep — just pile everything into your slow cooker and let the Mississippi Chicken magic happen!
- Family-Friendly Comfort: This dish transforms simple chicken into a tangy, buttery, savory masterpiece loved by all ages.
- Versatile & Meal-Prep Ready: Mississippi Chicken is happy starring in sandwiches, on rice, wrapped in tortillas, or simply all by itself — plus, the leftovers are next-level.
- Crowd-Pleaser for Gatherings: Serve it at parties or potlucks, and don’t be surprised if you’re asked for the recipe!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Mississippi Chicken keeps things simple but bold — every ingredient serves a purpose, from juicy chicken to punchy seasoning. Gather these pantry staples and a couple of fresh ingredients, and you’re halfway to dinner bliss!
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (4 large): The perfect canvas for soaking up all those delicious flavors — they shred beautifully after slow cooking.
- Pepperoncini peppers (12 whole) + 1/4 cup juice: These little peppers add unmistakable zest and just the right amount of tang without making it overly spicy.
- Ranch seasoning mix (1 ounce packet): Classic ranch tang and herbs bring that familiar, craveable flavor to the party.
- Au jus seasoning mix (1 ounce packet): Adds savory depth and a meaty richness that takes the sauce over the top.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, cut into pieces): Lends silky richness and helps marry all the flavors together.
Variations
Think of Mississippi Chicken as your slow-cooker “choose your own adventure” meal! It’s easy to tailor to your own taste buds, pantry staples, or special dietary needs — here are some of my favorite ways to switch things up.
- Try Chicken Thighs: If you like extra-juicy, shreddable chicken, swap the breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs — they’re practically foolproof for slow cooking.
- Add Veggies: Toss in sliced onions or baby carrots with the chicken for an easy one-pot meal (they’ll soak up all that buttery, tangy goodness!).
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, or use hot pepperoncini for even more heat.
- Low-Sodium Tweak: Choose a low-sodium ranch mix and butter, and taste the finished dish before adding any extra salt.
How to Make Mississippi Chicken
Step 1: Layer Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
Start by arranging your chicken breasts in an even layer at the bottom of your slow cooker. Next, pour the pepperoncini juice over the chicken for that irresistible tang, and nestle the whole peppers on and around the meat.
Step 2: Add Seasonings and Butter
Sprinkle the ranch seasoning and au jus packets directly over the chicken and peppers, making sure to cover as much surface area as possible. Top everything with the pieces of unsalted butter — no need to stir, as everything will melt together and create that signature Mississippi Chicken sauce as it cooks.
Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover and let your slow cooker work its magic — cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. The chicken should become fork-tender and shred easily. (If you’re using chicken breasts and planning to cook all day, consider checking at the 6-hour mark to keep them extra juicy!)
Step 4: Shred & Serve
Once the chicken is tender, shred it using two forks right in the slow cooker. Stir everything together to make sure the chicken soaks up all the buttery, flavorful juices before serving up your gorgeous Mississippi Chicken!
Pro Tips for Making Mississippi Chicken
- Juiciness Insurance: For perfectly tender Mississippi Chicken, use chicken thighs or check breasts early if slow cooking all day to avoid overcooking.
- Bold Pepper Flavor: Don’t skip the pepperoncini juice — it’s the secret to that tangy, crave-worthy flavor in every bite!
- No Extra Salt Needed: The ranch and au jus mixes bring plenty of seasoning, so always use unsalted butter and hold back on adding extra salt until tasting.
- Shredding Shortcut: Use a hand mixer for quick, effortless shredding right in the slow cooker (just a few seconds on low does the trick!).
How to Serve Mississippi Chicken
Garnishes
Top off your hot Mississippi Chicken with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or a few extra sliced pepperoncinis for color and brightness. A final twist of cracked black pepper also adds a pretty touch and a hint of heat.
Side Dishes
This savory chicken begs to be paired with creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or a soft sandwich bun (perfect for soaking up the sauce!). It’s also delicious with simple roasted vegetables, buttery corn on the cob, or a crisp green salad to balance all that richness.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve Mississippi Chicken piled high in a hoagie roll for a saucy sandwich, spoon it over baked potatoes, or stuff it into tortillas for a fun Southern twist on tacos. For parties, serve it slider-style with mini buns and lots of napkins!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover Mississippi Chicken, with its delicious sauce, in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors just keep getting better as they mingle, making lunch the next day something to look forward to!
Freezing
Mississippi Chicken freezes beautifully — cool it fully, then transfer to freezer-safe bags or containers (with sauce) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating so it stays tender and flavorful.
Reheating
To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave or gently on the stovetop. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce if needed — it’ll taste like you just made it!
FAQs
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Is Mississippi Chicken spicy?
Not really! Pepperoncini peppers are more tangy than spicy, so Mississippi Chicken packs plenty of zesty flavor without a big heat kick. If you’d like more spice, use hot pepperoncini or add red pepper flakes.
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Can I make Mississippi Chicken in the oven or Instant Pot?
Absolutely! For the oven, bake in a covered dish at 325°F for about 2 hours, or use the “manual”/“high pressure” setting on your Instant Pot for about 12 minutes, then shred as directed.
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Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
For best results and food safety, thaw chicken breasts before adding to your slow cooker. If you’re in a pinch, increase the cooking time and check for doneness — but the texture is best when starting with thawed chicken.
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How salty is Mississippi Chicken?
Mississippi Chicken does have a salty, savory punch thanks to the seasoning packets. Stick with unsalted butter, double-check your seasonings, and taste before adding any extra salt for the perfect balance.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a fuss-free, flavor-packed dinner, Mississippi Chicken is ready to become your new weeknight hero. I can’t wait for you to try it, share it with your family, and watch it disappear — you’ll fall in love with just how easy and satisfying this Southern classic truly is!
Print
Mississippi Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours (on high) or 6 hours (on low)
- Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Slow Cooking
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Tender and flavorful Mississippi Chicken made with juicy chicken breasts slow-cooked with tangy pepperoncini peppers, ranch seasoning, au jus seasoning, and butter. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Ingredients for Mississippi Chicken:
- 4 large chicken breasts, boneless skinless
- 12 pepperoncini peppers + 1/4 cup juice from the jar
- 1 (1 ounce) packet ranch seasoning mix (e.g., Hidden Valley)
- 1 (1 ounce) packet au jus seasoning
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into pieces
Instructions
- Add the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Pour in the pepperoncini juice and add the peppers around the chicken. Sprinkle the ranch and au jus seasoning over the chicken. Top with butter.
- Cook: Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
- Shred and serve: Shred the cooked chicken with forks, mix with the sauce, and serve hot.
Notes
- Consider using boneless skinless chicken thighs for longer cooking times to prevent drying out.
- Use unsalted butter and taste before adding additional salt due to the saltiness of the recipe.
- Recipe adapted from Mississippi Pot Roast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 326 kcal
- Sugar: 0.4g
- Sodium: 552mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 137mg
