Loaded potatoes smothered with ranch chicken and vegetables in a creamy sauce are a hearty, easy dinner!
I should tell you right now that this is not a completely new recipe. I thought it was when it popped into my head, but then as I started to figure out the details, I realized it sounded an awful lot like my Creamy Ranch Chicken Pasta recipe. You can see if you compare the two that they aren’t exactly the same, but if you like one you’ll surely enjoy the other.
This dinner only takes about 20 minutes start to finish. You might look at the instructions and think it looks a little long or that a cream sauce sounds fussy, but I promise it’s easy. The day I made these, I had back-to-back appointments in the morning, then hurried to pick up my little one and take him to a museum with a friend, then rushed from there to pick up my older son. By the time we all got home, it was almost 5:00. After feeding the kids and getting them bathed and to bed, I did NOT feel like cooking anything that took much mental or physical effort. 
If I can manage to get this hearty ranch chicken over potatoes on the table at my weariest, I know you can too! Can’t find or don’t like squash? No worries. You could substitute broccoli, cauliflower, peas, steamed carrots, or whatever other vegetable suits your fancy. Make it your own, and enjoy!
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 15 minutes |
| Servings |
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- 4 good-sized baking potatoes
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 large zucchini cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 large yellow squash cut into bite-sized pieces
- seasoned salt about 1/2 teaspoon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon flour gluten-free flour works fine
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons Ranch seasoning mix
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese
- kosher salt to taste
Ingredients
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- Wash potatoes, scrubbing them well, and prick them all over with a fork. Place them on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and microwave for 8-12 minutes, turning once. Potatoes are done when a knife or fork glides easily to the center when poked.
- While potatoes cook, spray a large skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat. Add chicken, and sprinkle lightly with seasoned salt. Stir fry until chicken is mostly cooked, and add chopped vegetables. Sprinkle a little more seasoned salt over the vegetables, and stir fry for about two minutes longer. Transfer chicken and veggies to a clean bowl and set aside.
- In the same skillet over the same heat, whisk together olive oil and flour until smooth. Stir in chicken broth about 1/4 cup at a time, whisking constantly until smooth before adding more.
- Reduce heat to medium, and whisk in ranch mix and milk until ranch powder is completely dissolved. Add cream cheese, and continue stirring until cheese is melted. Stir vegetables and chicken into sauce, and cook for 3-5 minutes until heated through.
- Meanwhile, cut a "+" in the top of each potato, and press the corners inward to open up the potato. Fluff the interior of the cooked potato with a fork, and sprinkle with a little salt. Spoon ranch chicken and vegetables over each potato, and serve.
If you would like to substitute chicken bouillon paste or a bouillon cube for prepared broth, make the sauce with water, and then whisk in the bouillon until dissolved before adding the ranch seasoning and milk.
If you love ranch like I love ranch, you won’t want to miss these recipes!
Sandy says
Andy I don’t have cream cheese and would Like to make today., what cheese can I substitute ?
Sandt
Andi Gleeson says
Hi! You could stir in some shredded cheese like parmesan or cheddar. It just thickens up the sauce and makes it creamier, so those should work too!
Karen @ The Food Charlatan says
We LOVED this Andi! My kids ate green stuff, you should get a medal. I added a little less Ranch because I was using the storebought kind (and I think it’s a little strong) but other than that didn’t change a thing! Such a great weeknight meal!
Andi says
Oh yay!! I’m so happy to hear you liked it, Karen! Kids eating green stuff is a major accomplishment around here :)
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
Baked potato with toppings is a VERY popular meal with my family. Geez they will be over the moon with
the ranch chicken idea. Ranch flavoring is also VERY popular.
Andi says
This one sounds like a winner for your house, Carol. Thank you!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This looks like the perfect comfort food dish! I love the ranch chicken! And cramming it all into a baked potato is fantastic! Can’t wait to try this. Pinned!
Andi says
Thank you so much, Gayle!
Laura O| Petite Allergy Treats says
Potatoes are one of my favorite easy dinners. Love, love, love all the vegetables in here too! Pinned.
Andi says
Thanks, Laura! Potatoes are a good one for a GF meal!
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
I love a good potato meal for supper! Looks great!
Andi says
Thank you, Jaren! xo
Karen @ The Food Charlatan says
Oh man Andi this sounds SO good right now. How is there no chicken in my freezer?? Otherwise i would be making these tonight. Yum. I really love this idea!
Andi says
Thank you, Karen! I usually have chicken in my freezer, but I’m always sad when I go to pull some out for dinner and realize I’m out. At least the grocery store isn’t far away! Have a good night :)
Jenn @ Deliciously Sprinkled says
WOW, now this is my kind of baked potato! I need to make this for dinner next week when my husband is at training! :) YUM!
Andi says
Thanks so much, Jenn! Hope you like it!
Tonia from TheGunnySack says
I’ve been making and ordering loaded baked potatoes since I was a teenager and I love the sound of potatoes with zucchini and squash!
Andi says
Thanks, Tonia! Glad you like it :)
Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads says
This is such a great idea for loaded potatoes! Sounds amazing!
Andi says
Thanks, Sheena! We ate it over huge potatoes, and it was so filling too!
tanya says
I only recently discovered how much my kids love baked potatoes! And I love a 20 minute meal, especially one loaded with veggies!
Andi says
I’m trying to get my kids to like baked potatoes more! I hope they will grow into them :) Thanks, Tanya!