Description

This simple 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken & Cream Cheese with Pineapple Rings is a flavorful and comforting dish perfect for busy days. Tender chicken slow-cooked with tangy pineapple rings, creamy softened cream cheese, and a dry ranch seasoning mix creates a deliciously creamy and sweet-savory sauce. Served over rice or noodles, it makes a delightful and effortless meal with minimal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Seasoning

1 oz dry ranch seasoning mix (1 packet)

Fruit

20 oz pineapple rings in juice (juice reserved)

Dairy

8 oz cream cheese, softened and cut into large cubes

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Instructions

Prepare the slow cooker: Lightly grease the insert of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker with oil or nonstick spray to prevent sticking during cooking.
Layer the chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker for even cooking.
Season the chicken: Sprinkle the dry ranch seasoning mix evenly over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated with flavor.
Add pineapple: Drain the canned pineapple rings, reserving the juice. Lay the pineapple rings on top of the chicken and pour 1/2 cup of the reserved juice over everything to add moisture and sweetness.
Add cream cheese: Scatter the softened cream cheese cubes over the top of the pineapple and chicken to melt during cooking and create a creamy sauce.
Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or on HIGH for 2–3 hours, or until the chicken is very tender and cooked through.
Shred chicken and mix sauce: Carefully remove the pineapple rings and set them aside. Shred the slow-cooked chicken with two forks in the remaining sauce and stir well to combine.
Adjust sauce: Stir in additional reserved pineapple juice if the sauce is too thick, and season with salt and pepper as desired to suit your taste.
Serve: Return the pineapple rings to the top of the dish either whole or chopped. Serve hot over rice, noodles, or your preferred side for a complete meal.

Notes

Using thighs instead of breasts will result in juicier, more flavorful chicken.
For a thicker sauce, use less pineapple juice; for more sauce, add more reserved juice at the end.
Serve with steamed vegetables, rice, or egg noodles to complement the rich flavors.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Adjust seasoning at the end to avoid over-salting, as ranch seasoning and cream cheese already add saltiness.