Ranch Chicken and Gravy Recipe

Name: Ranch Chicken and Gravy Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs chicken cutlets (or breasts pounded to 1/4 inch thick); 1.5 tablespoons Italian seasoning; 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 2 tablespoons butter; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup with herbs; 1 1/2 cups milk; 1 oz packet Ranch Seasoning; 1/2 tsp onion powder; 1/4 tsp rubbed or dried sage (optional); 1/4 tsp rosemary (optional); 1/4 tsp thyme (optional); 1/2 cup sour cream; 3 lbs russet potatoes; 1 cup half and half; 6 tablespoons butter, softened; 6 oz shredded cheese (gruyere, fontina, or mozzarella); 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp salt; Pepper to taste

This Ranch Chicken and Gravy is comfort food perfection – tender chicken smothered in a rich, creamy ranch gravy that’s absolutely bursting with flavor. The best part? It comes together in just 35 minutes, making it perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. Serve it over cheesy mashed potatoes for a meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simply Delicious: The combination of ranch seasoning, herbs, and creamy gravy creates a flavor profile that’s absolutely irresistible.
Quick Weeknight Solution: From start to finish in about 35 minutes – perfect for those evenings when you’re short on time but still want something homemade.
Versatile Comfort Food: Serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, or even pasta – it’s fantastic any way you pair it!
Family Favorite: This is one of those recipes that both kids and adults go crazy for – the ultimate crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken cutlets or breasts: The star of our dish! If using breasts, pound them thin for quicker, more even cooking and maximum tenderness.
Italian seasoning: This herb blend adds a wonderful depth of flavor to the chicken before it even hits the gravy.
Olive oil: Used for cooking the chicken until perfectly golden brown. The combination of oil and butter creates that beautiful crust.
Butter: Adds richness to both the chicken and gravy, creating that mouthwatering flavor you can’t resist.
Garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic provides that aromatic base that makes everything better.
Cream of chicken soup with herbs: The secret to a quick, flavorful gravy base without hours of simmering.
Milk: Thins out the gravy to the perfect consistency while adding creaminess.
Ranch seasoning packet: The hero ingredient that gives this dish its distinctive, crave-worthy flavor profile.
Onion powder: Provides savory depth without the texture of actual onions.
Optional herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme): These elevate the flavor profile to restaurant-quality if you have them on hand.
Sour cream: Added at the end for a touch of tanginess and extra creaminess that makes the gravy irresistible.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

For the optional cheesy mashed potatoes, you’ll need russet potatoes, half and half, butter, shredded cheese, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

Variations

Vegetable Boost: Add sautéed mushrooms, peas, or spinach to the gravy for extra nutrition and flavor.
Cheese Lover’s Version: Stir in some grated parmesan or sprinkle shredded cheddar on top before serving.
Spicy Kick: Add a dash of cayenne or red pepper flakes to the gravy for a bit of heat.
Herb Garden Infusion: Fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or dill make excellent additions if you have them on hand.

How to Make Ranch Chicken and Gravy

Step 1: Prepare and Cook the Chicken

Season your chicken cutlets with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper after rubbing them with olive oil. Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken and let it cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until the bottom gets that gorgeous golden-brown color. Flip just once, reduce heat to low, and continue cooking for 4-5 minutes. Finish by adding a tablespoon of butter, tossing to coat. Set aside your chicken under foil to keep warm.

Step 2: Create the Ranch Gravy

In the same pan (don’t wash it – those browned bits are flavor gold!), add the remaining tablespoon of butter over medium-low heat. Sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the cream of chicken soup and whisk in the milk until smooth. Stir in the ranch packet, onion powder, pepper, and any optional herbs. Keep whisking until everything is beautifully incorporated.

Step 3: Return Chicken to the Gravy

Shred your chicken into bite-sized pieces and return it to the pan along with any juices that collected. Gently toss to coat the chicken in that luxurious gravy. Reduce heat to the lowest setting, cover, and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes until the chicken becomes incredibly tender.

Step 4: Finish with Sour Cream

Remove the pan from heat and stir in the sour cream until fully incorporated. This adds a beautiful richness and slight tanginess to balance the flavors.

Step 5: Prepare Cheesy Mashed Potatoes (if using)

Peel and quarter your potatoes, boil until fork-tender (about 15 minutes), then drain. In the same pot, warm the half and half with butter, then return the potatoes and mash. Fold in shredded cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, continuing to mash until smooth and the cheese has melted.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Skip the Searing: Taking time to properly brown the chicken creates essential flavor for both the meat and the gravy.
Use the Same Pan: Those browned bits on the bottom of the pan after cooking the chicken (called fond) are pure flavor – make sure to use them in your gravy!
Low and Slow Finish: The gentle simmering after combining the chicken and gravy allows the flavors to meld and the chicken to become incredibly tender.
Taste Before Salting: Between the cream of chicken soup and ranch seasoning, there’s plenty of salt already in this dish. Always taste before adding more.

How to Serve

This ranch chicken and gravy practically begs to be served over a bed of fluffy starch to soak up all that incredible sauce.

Perfect Pairings:

Serve over the cheesy mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort food experience
Spoon over buttered egg noodles for a quick option
Offer with steamed rice for a lighter alternative
Add a simple green vegetable side like roasted broccoli or a fresh green salad to balance the meal

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store the chicken and gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep mashed potatoes separately for best results.

Freezing

This dish freezes beautifully! Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Freeze the gravy and chicken separate from any sides for best quality.

Reheating

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk if the gravy needs thinning. Stir occasionally until heated through.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe and stay even more tender. You won’t need to pound them thin, but you might need to adjust cooking time slightly – they typically take a bit longer to cook through.
I don’t have ranch seasoning. What can I substitute?

If you’re out of ranch seasoning packets, you can create your own blend using dried herbs and spices. Mix 1 tablespoon each of dried parsley and dried dill with 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, dried chives, and a pinch of salt and pepper. This homemade version works beautifully in a pinch!
Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Yes! This recipe adapts well to a slow cooker. Brown the chicken first as directed, then transfer to your slow cooker. Make the gravy as instructed and pour over the chicken. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Add the sour cream just before serving and stir to combine.
Is there a way to make this recipe lighter?

For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cream of chicken soup, 2% milk, and light sour cream. You can also serve over cauliflower mash instead of potatoes for a lower-carb option that still soaks up all that delicious gravy.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe and stay even more tender. You won’t need to pound them thin, but you might need to adjust cooking time slightly – they typically take a bit longer to cook through.

I don’t have ranch seasoning. What can I substitute?
If you’re out of ranch seasoning packets, you can create your own blend using dried herbs and spices. Mix 1 tablespoon each of dried parsley and dried dill with 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, dried chives, and a pinch of salt and pepper. This homemade version works beautifully in a pinch!

Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes! This recipe adapts well to a slow cooker. Brown the chicken first as directed, then transfer to your slow cooker. Make the gravy as instructed and pour over the chicken. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Add the sour cream just before serving and stir to combine.

Is there a way to make this recipe lighter?
For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cream of chicken soup, 2% milk, and light sour cream. You can also serve over cauliflower mash instead of potatoes for a lower-carb option that still soaks up all that delicious gravy.

This Ranch Chicken and Gravy is the definition of comfort food – tender chicken in a rich, flavorful gravy that comes together quickly enough for a weeknight. The combination of ranch seasoning, herbs, and creamy elements creates something truly special that’s sure to become a regular request in your home. Don’t be surprised when everyone asks for seconds of this incredible gravy – you might want to make extra!