Name: Creamy Ranch Chicken Skillet
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 3 chicken breasts; 4 bacon slices; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp pepper; 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 2 Tbsp butter; 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour; 1 cup chicken broth; 1/2 cup milk; 1/4 cup sour cream; 1 oz Ranch seasoning mix; 1/2 tsp onion powder; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning; Fresh parsley

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Savor the outdoors with our Creamy Ranch Chicken Skillet! Cooked in a rugged cast iron over the grill, this camping delight is a delicious escape.

Chicken in a cream sauce with bacon and parsley garnish in a cast iron skillet.

When we are camping, we don’t want to spend so much time cooking that we miss out on all the fun! After a long day of hiking or exploring, we want to be able to make a quick and delicious meal that everyone will eat.

That is why we look for recipes with a short cook time and simple ingredients when we put together a camping menu.

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Table of Contents

Today’s recipe comes with an important question. Is your family obsessed with ranch dressing? If so, this delicious dinner of juicy chicken in a creamy bacon ranch sauce is going to be a new family favorite.

Fast and easy to make, it fits all my criteria for a great camp meal.

This is a great recipe for a busy weeknight at home, but it is an ideal addition to your camping menu as well. We always have a large cast iron skillet in our camp kitchen, so we’re set.

It is our go-to for tons of meal and snack recipes. Using thin chicken breasts means that the cooking time will be faster too and there will be less chance of undercooking the meat, especially when cooking over the fire.

Tips and Tricks

Try this easy recipe with chicken thighs or chicken tenders instead of boneless chicken breasts.
If the sauce seems too thick, add an extra splash of milk or chicken stock.
When planning for camping, I like to do as much meal prep as possible before we leave. Having easy access to hot running water makes clean up much easier.
Be sure your chicken is fully cooked, check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat.
Store any leftover chicken in the fridge or cooler in an airtight container.

This creamy chicken skillet meal is delicious served over pasta or simply with garlic bread. When I want a low carb option, I go with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. You will find the full recipe below, along with step-by-step photos. Try it tonight!

Close up of chicken in a cream sauce with bacon and parsley garnish in a cast iron skillet.

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Tips for cooking with cast iron

When cooking with cast iron, be sure to season the surface first.
Always use gloves or oven mitts while cooking as the surface of the iron will be hot.
Cook the recipe over an open fire using hot coals, not open flames. A fire that is too hot will burn the outside of your recipe and not cook the inside. Learn how to make a campfire for cooking.
Be sure to clean the cast iron with a rough vegetable scrubber, rinse and dry thoroughly before storing.

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
Salt and pepper
Extra virgin olive oil
Unsalted butter
All-purpose flour
Chicken broth
Milk
Sour cream
Ranch seasoning mix
Onion powder and garlic powder
Italian seasoning
Fresh parsley, chopped

Raw chicken breasts on a speckled white plate.

Instructions

1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel.

2. Cut each breast in half horizontally into two thinner cutlets. Alternately, place the chicken under a layer of plastic wrap and pound to an even thickness.

3. Season chicken breast with salt and pepper.

4. Add 1 Tbsp olive oil to a large skillet.

5. Heat over medium until the oil starts to sizzle.

6. Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.

7. Flip and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes.

8. Remove the cooked chicken to a tray and cover to keep warm.

9. Repeat with any remaining cutlets.

Four pieces of cooked bacon in a cast iron skillet.

10. Cook bacon in the skillet on medium heat until crispy. Chop and set aside.

Flour and chicken broth in a cast iron skillet.

11. Add butter to skillet and when melted, add flour. Add broth and whisk together to create a roux.

Creamy ranch sauce in a cast iron skillet with a whisk.

12. Add remaining ingredients, stir well and simmer for 10 minutes.

13. Add chicken and plate juices back to the pan and spoon the sauce over the chicken.

14. Simmer in the sauce until the chicken is heated through and the sauce has reduced slightly.

15. Top with bacon and parsley before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and make a pasta or potato salad.
Make chicken bacon ranch patty melts. I like using mozzarella cheese or sharp cheddar cheese for this. The extra sauce makes a great dip!

Variations

In a pinch, use cooked rotisserie chicken instead of the chicken cutlets.
Substitute turkey bacon for regular bacon.
If you like it spicy, add in some red pepper flakes.
Add in your family’s favorite cheese. Pre-shredded cheese works great and is ideal for camping.

Whip up this chicken bacon ranch skillet for a delicious meal the whole family will enjoy!

Skillet Chicken Recipes

For more easy dinner ideas to add to this year’s camping menu, check out these chicken skillet recipes.

If you love this creamy ranch chicken skillet, please give it a five star review and share it on Facebook or Pinterest so that others can enjoy it too!