Are you looking for an easy and delicious chicken recipe with only a few simple ingredients? Give this Creamy Italian Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken Recipe a try. It’s served over pasta for an irresistible combination. This slow cooker dish is perfect for busy weeknights or laid-back weekends.
It’s made with tender chicken breasts, a mix of savory, slightly spicy Italian banana peppers, and cream. The best part is it’s under 10 minutes of prep time until your slow cooker does the rest of the work.
The creamy sauce combines an Au Jus sauce packet, ranch powder, and the subtle heat of Italian pepperoncini peppers over chicken. Here’s a simple chicken recipe guaranteed to become a family favorite.
💡If you enjoy the convenience of cooking in your slow cooker recipes, then be sure to try my Deliciously Tender Jamaican Oxtail Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker, Super Tender Slow Cooker Yankee Pot Roast: Easy Comfort Food, Slow Cooker Chicken In Green Salsa; Pollo Verde Recipe or Best Chinese Salt And Pepper Chicken Wings Recipe: Crockpot
Origin and Inspiration Behind Mississippi Chicken
The Mississippi Chicken recipe, which has gained popularity, originated from a Mississippi resident named Robin Chapman. In the early 2000s, Robin put her unique spin on her aunt’s chuck roast recipe and came up with a new dish everyone loved – Mississippi Chicken.
This recipe became popular because of its simplicity and incredible taste. Robin’s recipe only had five ingredients: a tender chuck roast, au jus gravy mix, dry ranch seasoning mix, a stick of butter, and tangy pepperoncini peppers. Americas started sharing the recipe and, eventually, renamed it Mississippi Pot Roast. The recipe eventually became so popular that the New York Times declared it “the roast that owns the internet.” Out of this, the now also famous Mississippi Chicken version was born.
Ingredients for Mississippi Chicken
Preparing the mouthwatering easy chicken recipe doesn’t require a long list of complex ingredients. While I’ve mentioned a few key components, referring to the recipe card for precise measurements and detailed guidance is important.
- Chicken breasts: Choose boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. You don’t want to worry about bones and the extra fat from the skin. You could also use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- Au jus gravy mix: Note this is not brown gravy, but a packet of au jus gravy mix. You can use McCormick or a store brand.
- Ranch mix powder: You can use Hidden Valley or a store brand. You could also make your own dry ranch dressing mix with this easy copycat recipe.
- Italian pepperoncini peppers: Mt. Olive has a new Italian Seasoned Sliced Pepperoncini variety that works perfectly for this recipe.
- Whipping cream: Note that whipping cream is added when the recipe is finished cooking. If you add the whipping cream in the beginning, it will curdle and not make a creamy sauce.
- Cornstarch: The cornstarch is used as a thickener for the creamy sauce
Tip: Refrain from adding salt to the chicken recipe until it is fully cooked and you have tasted it. The au jus mix and ranch seasoning mix already have a considerable amount of salt, making additional salt unnecessary. It’s advisable to taste the dish first and adjust the seasoning as needed to prevent over-salting.
Steps-by Step Instructions
You are going to enjoy how easy it is to prepare this recipe, 10 minutes prep and your slow cooker does the rest.
- Begin by trimming off any excess fat from the chicken breasts. Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
2. In a small bowl, combine the dry dressing mix and Au Jus sauce mix. Mix them until well blended.
3. Whisk in the 2 cups of water into the ranch powder and Au Jus mixture.
4. Pour the mixture over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker, ensuring that the chicken is submerged in the sauce.
5. Drain the Italian pepperoncini peppers and sprinkle approximately 1/2 cup of the peppers on top of the chicken. Adjust the amount to your taste preference. If you prefer a spicier dish, add some pepperoncini juice or more peppers.
6. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 7 hours or on high heat for 4 hours. This slow cooking process will ensure tender and flavorful chicken.
7. Prepare the whipping cream slurry about 30 minutes before the chicken is finished cooking. Combine 3 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 cups of whipping cream in a jar with a tightly fitting lid. Shake the jar vigorously to dissolve the cornstarch completely.
7. Remove the slow cooker lid and gently stir the whipping cream slurry into the chicken and sauce mixture. Make sure to cover all the chicken evenly.
8. Place the lid back onto the slow cooker and allow the mixture to simmer for an additional 30 minutes. This will help thicken the sauce and further infuse the flavors.
9. Serve the creamy Mississippi chicken over your favorite pasta.
Pasta Ideas For Italian Mississippi Chicken
The great thing about serving this recipe is pouring the creamy sauce over any variety of your favorite pasta.
- Egg noodles
- Fettuccine noodles
- Penne pasta
- Linguine
- Tagliatelle
- Cavatappi: This pasta holds the sauce on well.
Topping Ideas
When serving creamy Italian chicken over pasta, several delicious topping ideas can enhance the flavors and add some extra texture to the dish. Here are a few suggestions:
- Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs like basil or parsley on top of the creamy Italian chicken to add a pop of freshness and aroma.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: A generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese can add a savory and nutty flavor to the dish while also providing a nice cheesy element.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes can bring a subtle spicy kick to the creamy chicken, balancing out the richness.
- Toasted Bread Crumbs: Toasted bread crumbs add a delightful crunch and a hint of nuttiness. Toast some bread crumbs in a pan with a bit of olive oil or butter until golden brown and sprinkle them over the pasta.
- Sautéed Mushrooms: Sauté some sliced mushrooms in a separate pan until golden brown and add them as a topping. The earthy and savory flavor of mushrooms pairs well with the creamy Italian chicken.
- Sundried Tomatoes: Sprinkle on some finely chopped sundried tomatoes for a sweet chewy topping.
- Provolone: Melted provolone cheese would be delicious over the chicken.
Tips and Questions About Mississippi Chicken
It’s amazing how easy this recipe is to make. However, there are a few tips to help you create a delicious dinner recipe.
What are pepperoncini peppers?
Pepperoncini peppers, also known as pepperoncino or Tuscan peppers, are a variety of mild chili pepper. They are typically picked when green and pickled. Pepperoncini peppers are most commonly used in Italian and Mediterranean cuisines. These peppers have a mild to medium level of heat, ranging from 100 to 500 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) on the Scoville scale, which measures the spiciness of chili peppers.
Is Mississippi Chicken low carb?
Yes, Crock Pot Mississippi chicken is considered a low-carb meal with only 6 carbs per serving.
Slow Cooker Tip
Reminder: The temperature and cook time of older or different models of slow cookers may vary because of differences in heating elements, insulation, and thermostat accuracy. Some older models may have less precise temperature control, resulting in higher or lower heat levels than desired. Additionally, different models may have different heat distribution patterns, leading to uneven cooking. It’s important to familiarize yourself with your slow cooker’s specific settings and behavior to adjust cooking times and ensure optimal results. If you are uncertain whether your meat is thoroughly cooked, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken breasts reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Storing Leftovers
- Allow the Mississippi Chicken to cool down to room temperature.
- Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap.
- Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness.
- Store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating Leftover
- Remove the Mississippi Chicken from the refrigerator.
- Place the desired leftover amount in a microwave-safe dish or on a stovetop pan.
- If using a microwave, cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap to prevent splattering.
- Reheat the chicken in the microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. If using a stovetop pan, heat it over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated.
- Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a food thermometer. It should reach 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
How To Freeze Leftovers
If you have leftover crockpot Mississippi chicken, a great idea is to freeze individual portions for a quick, easy meal for lunch. This recipe would also make a great freezer meal to give someone on a meal train.
- Allow the Mississippi Chicken to cool down completely.
- Transfer the leftovers to airtight freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Alternatively, you can use individual portion-sized containers for easier thawing later.
- Remove as much air as possible from the containers or bags before sealing.
- Label the containers or bags with the date and contents.
- Place the containers or bags in the freezer, ensuring they’re stored upright and flat to save space.
- Frozen Mississippi Chicken can be stored for up to 2-3 months.
Thawing and Reheating Frozen Leftovers
Thaw Chicken
- Refrigerator: Place the sealed container in the fridge overnight or for approximately 24 hours.
- Cold Water Bath: Submerge the sealed container or bag in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes until thawed. Ensure the container is leak-proof to prevent water contamination.
Reheat Chicken
- Once thawed, follow the earlier reheating instructions to heat the chicken in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Ensure the internal temperature of the cooked chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
Make It A Meal
This easy recipe is a hearty main dish that pairs well with your favorite sides. Here are a few ideas.
- Green Jacket Salad: This is a lite salad perfect to contrast a little spiciness. The homemade dressing and salad only take a few minutes to fix.
- Fuji Apple Salad Recipe Copycat
- Switch up the pasta for a Perfect Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe or on top of Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes.
⚖️ Need a big batch to feed a crowd? You can easily change the number of servings in the recipe card below by tapping 2x or 3x. The ingredient measurements will automatically double or triple. You can then tap print and there you have it, a recipe for a crowd.
Creamy Slow Cooker Mississippi Chicken Recipe
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts , boneless skinless
- 1 au jus powdered gravy mix , 1 ounce size packet
- 1 ranch dry powder and dressing mix , 1 ounce size packet
- pepperoncini, Mount Olive Italian pepperoncini peppers sliced
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Begin by trimming off any excess fat from the chicken breasts. Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.4 chicken breasts
- In a small bowl, combine the dry dressing mix and Au Jus sauce mix. Mix them until well blended.1 au jus powdered gravy mix, 1 ranch dry powder and dressing mix
- Whisk in the 2 cups of water into the ranch powder and Au Jus mixture.
- Pour the mixture over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker, ensuring that the chicken is submerged in the sauce.
- Drain the Italian pepperoncini peppers and sprinkle approximately 1/2 cup of the peppers on top of the chicken. Adjust the amount to your taste preference. If you prefer a spicier dish, add some pepperoncini juice or more peppers.pepperoncini
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 7 hours or on high heat for 4 hours. This slow cooking process will ensure tender and flavorful chicken.
- Prepare the whipping cream slurry about 30 minutes before the chicken is finished cooking. Combine 3 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 cups of whipping cream in a jar with a tightly fitting lid. Shake the jar vigorously to dissolve the cornstarch completely.2 cups heavy whipping cream, 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- Remove the slow cooker lid and gently stir the whipping cream slurry into the chicken and sauce mixture. Make sure to cover all the chicken evenly.
- Place the lid back onto the slow cooker and allow the mixture to simmer for an additional 30 minutes. This will help thicken the sauce and further infuse the flavors.
- Serve the creamy Mississippi chicken over your favorite pasta.
Equipment
Notes
- Chopped Basil or Parsley
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- Toasted Bread Crumbs
- Sautéed Mushrooms
- Chopped Sundried Tomatoes
- Provolone: Melted provolone cheese would be delicious over the chicken.