Description
This easy and delicious 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken & Cream Cheese with Pineapple Rings recipe combines tender chicken, creamy cream cheese, tangy pineapple, and savory ranch seasoning for a flavorful meal. Perfect for busy days, it requires minimal preparation and slow cooks to tender perfection. Serve it over rice or noodles for a complete and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Dairy
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened and cut into large cubes
Canned Goods
- 20 oz pineapple rings in juice (juice reserved)
Seasonings
- 1 oz dry ranch seasoning mix (1 packet)
Instructions
- Prepare Slow Cooker: Lightly grease the insert of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with oil or nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Layer Chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker, ensuring even cooking.
- Add Seasoning: Sprinkle the dry ranch seasoning mix evenly over the chicken to infuse flavor.
- Add Pineapple: Drain the pineapple rings, reserving the juice. Lay the rings on top of the chicken, then pour 1/2 cup of the reserved pineapple juice over everything to add moisture and sweetness.
- Add Cream Cheese: Scatter the cubed cream cheese over the pineapple and chicken to create a creamy sauce as it melts.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours, or HIGH for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is very tender and easy to shred.
- Shred Chicken: Carefully remove the pineapple rings and set aside. Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker, mixing it into the creamy sauce.
- Adjust Sauce: Stir in additional reserved pineapple juice if the sauce needs thinning. Season with extra salt or pepper to taste.
- Serve: Return the pineapple rings to the top, either whole or chopped. Serve hot over rice, noodles, or your preferred side dish.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use chicken thighs for a juicier dish.
- You can substitute the ranch seasoning mix with a homemade or lower sodium alternative if desired.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator up to 3 days and reheat beautifully.
- Adding a handful of chopped green onions or fresh herbs before serving can enhance the freshness.
- To keep it low fat, opt for reduced-fat cream cheese.
