This Mississippi chicken is slow cooked until tender and flavorful! It’s easy to make in the crockpot with chicken, zesty pepperoncini, ranch and Au Jus gravy.

Mississippi chicken and mashed potatoes on a plate.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy.

Crockpot Mississippi Chicken

The thing I love about slow cooker recipes like this Mississippi chicken is that they take away some of the mental load that can be involved in making dinner. It’s a true dump-and-go meal like my creamy crockpot chicken.

It’s the chicken version of my crock pot Mississippi pot roast made with 6 ingredients, cooked low and slow until the chicken is fall-apart tender. Smothered in a savory, briny, and zesty sauce and served over mashed potatoes, rice or noodles.

Ingredient Notes

Mississippi chicken ingredients on the counter.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Chicken breast: You’ll need 4 fresh not frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts. Although you make this Mississippi chicken recipe with boneless skinless chicken thighs if preferred.
  • Seasoning packets: Ranch dressing mix (the dry ranch seasoning powder) for the tangy zesty flavor and au jus gravy mix which adds a rich savory flavor. Swap au jus gravy for brown gravy as an easy substitution.
  • Unsalted butter: This melts into the slow cooker Mississippi chicken sauce giving it a buttery, silky finish. Use unsalted as there is plenty of salt elsewhere.
  • Pepperoncini peppers: Once cooked, these pickled peppers are no longer very spicy, but still provide a briny, flavorful element. Adding the juice will help add a kick, but it’s still not overwhelming heat.

How to Make Mississippi Chicken

Showing how to make Mississippi chicken.
  • Add the chicken. Place the chicken breasts into the bottom of the slow cooker basin. They should be in a single layer, but it’s fine if they’re touching.
  • Top with seasoning. Sprinkle the packets of au jus gravy mix and ranch seasoning evenly over the chicken and place the pats of butter and pepperoncini on top.
  • Cook on low. Cover with a lid and cook on low for 3-4 hours until the chicken shreds easily with a fork. Give it a bit more time if you find it isn’t pulling apart easily enough.
  • Serve. Scoop out crock pot mississippi chicken and serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta.

Recipe Tips and Variations

  • Don’t skip the pepperoncini juice. When it comes to easy shredded chicken recipes like this one or even easy BBQ pulled pork, it needs extra liquid because chicken is leaner.
  • Best way to shred chicken. Grab 2 forks and gently pull away at the warm chicken breast in opposite directions. It should come apart easily. Sometimes people like to shred chicken using electric hand mixers, which can work, but with the juice, there will be a lot of splatter.
  • Make it a slow cooker meal: Sometimes, I like to throw in chunks of carrots and potatoes in there to save me from making an extra side dish!
  • Instant Pot. Add 3/4 cup of water to the Instant Pot, and place the chicken inside with the remaining ingredients. Close the lid, set it to sealing, and pressure cook for 10 minutes followed by a 10-minute natural release.
  • Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Not only does it make great dinner leftovers, but you can stuff some of this chicken into a bun with melted cheese for lunch. Freeze up to 3 months.
Shredding Mississippi chicken.

Mississippi Chicken Serving Suggestions

  • You need a base to soak up all the savory tangy juices, so I highly recommend serving it overtop garlic mashed red potatoes and then of course scooping up whatever is left with soft dinner rolls.
  • If you’re wanting low-carb try cauliflower rice or cauliflower mash instead!
  • Pair this meal with a side of coleslaw and green beans and you’ve got a satisfying comfort meal fit for royalty. Or your family. Same thing ;)
Mississippi chicken in a crockpot.

More slow cooker recipes we love include easy crockpot chicken fajitas, salsa verde chicken, and slow cooker chicken potatoes and green beans.

More Crockpot Recipes

See all
See all
Mississippi chicken in a crockpot.

Mississippi Chicken Recipe

5 from 4 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 8
This Mississippi chicken recipe is slow cooked until tender and flavorful! It's easy to make in the crockpot with chicken, zesty pepperoncini, ranch and Au Jus gravy.
Print Pin This! Rate

Video

Equipment

  • Slow cooker

Ingredients 

  • 2 pounds chicken breast , about 4
  • 1 ½ Tablespoons ranch dressing mix
  • 1 ounce packet Au Jus gravy mix
  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter , sliced
  • ⅓ cup sliced peperoncini , more if desired
  • ¼ cup peperoncini juice

Optional for serving: Mashed potatoes, noodles or rice

Instructions

  • Add 2 pounds chicken into the bottom of your crockpot. Top with 1 1/2 Tablespoons ranch seasoning and 1 ounce packet Au Jus. Then place 4 Tablespoons sliced butter and 1/3 cup pepperoncini on top. Add 1/4 cup pepperoncini juice.
  • Secure lid and cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until chicken easily shreds. Shred and then season to taste.
  • Serve over mashed potatoes, noodles or rice.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Instant Pot: You can make this in the instant pot as well. 
  1. Add 3/4 cup water to the Instant pot with the ingredients above. 
  2. Close lid and set to seal position. Set high pressure and cook for 10 minutes. Then let it natural release for 10 minutes before releasing the steam. 
Storage: Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. 

Nutrition

Calories: 189kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 88mg, Sodium: 344mg, Potassium: 434mg, Fiber: 0.2g, Sugar: 0.1g, Vitamin A: 227IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 8mg, Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.