Ranch Chicken Recipe
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This Crispy Baked Ranch Chicken recipe that’s about to revolutionize your weeknight dinners.This dish is like the life of the party for your palate, combining the comfort of baked chicken with the zesty kick of ranch. It’s crunchy, it’s flavorful, and guess what? It’s way easier to whip up than convincing your cat to love Mondays. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress without the stress.
Searching for more delicious chicken dinners? I’ve got you! Be sure to try my Easy Teriyaki Chicken!
Why You’ll Love This Crispy Baked Chicken
- Crispy Without Guilt: Baked, not fried, means you get all that satisfying crunch without feeling like you’ve just oil-wrestled.
- Easy-Peasy: It’s so simple, even your blender could probably make it. Just a few ingredients and voila! A gourmet meal without the sweat and tears.
- Versatile Vibe: Serve it at a fancy dinner or a casual Netflix binge. It’s like the little black dress of chicken recipes – fits every occasion.
HELLO easy 30 minute dinner idea! This baked ranch chicken recipe is incredibly simple to make and still loaded with flavor. All thanks to one secret ingredient! I’m a sucker for simplicity. I have a handful of go-to dinner ideas that fall firmly in this category, with this chicken being right at the top. Most busy weeknights I don’t have the energy to whip up something elaborate but also want to avoid take-out. This ranch chicken recipe marks all the checkboxes and gives you the stress free simple meal that the whole family will love.
It’s a symphony of flavors – the creamy, herb-infused tang of ranch dressing melds perfectly with the juicy chicken, creating a mouthwatering base. Then, the crispy breadcrumbs add a delightful crunch, offering a fantastic textural contrast. This dish is a comforting, satisfying blend of creamy and crunchy, making every bite a delightful culinary experience.
Ranch Dressing Chicken
I mention above that there are only 5 simple ingredients in this dinner. While that is technically true, I did include all of the spices as one ingredient. I feel like salt and pepper should be included in almost every meal, and therefore shouldn’t be counted… Stretching? Maybe.
- Chicken breast: Time is not always on our side, right? Chicken breast cooks faster than other cuts, making it perfect for a quick, no-fuss dinner.
- Seasonings: Things stay simple, with most of the flavor coming from the ranch dressing. Salt, black pepper, and garlic powder are all you need.
- Ranch dressing: Pick your favorite brand or try homemade for this easy chicken recipe! We find that Hidden Valley (not sponsored) gives the best flavor.
- Bread crumbs: Panko are larger and airier, giving you that unbeatable crunch or Italian-style breadcrumbs come pre-seasoned with herbs like oregano, basil, and garlic. It’s like a flavor fiesta in every bite.
- Butter: Mixed with the bread crumbs for a delicious topping! You could always ditch the butter and opt for a baking spray, like avocado oil, misted over the top.
Baked Ranch Chicken Recipe
We keep this one in the archives for those days when I’m in a rush or food rut and have no idea what to make. My six year old has proclaimed that this is HIS FAVORITE chicken ever. If you want a nice crunchy exterior you can skip the oven and cook these stove top. We gave a skillet a quick mist of oil and cooked on each side until golden and the chicken was cooked through. Perfect for meal prep and honestly one of our favorite for leftover chicken!
- PREP: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Mist a baking sheet or 9×13 pan with cooking spray. Set aside. Slice the chicken in half lengthwise, or pound to 1/2 inch thickens.
- RANCH: Place on the prepared baking tray, making sure not to overlap. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Brush 1 tablespoon of ranch dressing onto the top of each chicken piece.Mix the bread crumbs with the butter. Spoon over the top of each chicken.
- BAKE: Bake 15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees and the bread crumbs are golden brown. Serve with extra ranch dressing if desired with a side of your favorite veggie. We suggest green beans!
OR you can try this in an air fryer! Not too difficult, huh? Something you think you could totally pull off for a last minute meal? I think so! The best way to keep leftovers is stored in an airtight container inside the refrigerator. Reheat the creamy ranch chicken in the microwave.
Helpful Tools
- Meat Thermometer: The MVP of ensuring your chicken is perfectly cooked. It’s like a trusty sidekick, telling you when the chicken is just right – safe, juicy, and never dry.
- Roasting Pan or Baking Dish: Your chicken’s stage for its oven performance. A good pan ensures even cooking and can handle all the delicious juices.
- Aluminum Foil or Parchment Paper: For lining your pan. It’s like the shield protecting your pan from sticky situations and making cleanup a snap.
- Tongs: For flipping and moving the chicken without piercing it (because we don’t want those precious juices escaping).
Recipe Notes:
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal. They’re lean, cook evenly, and are a perfect canvas for the ranch flavor.
Yes, but the consistency and flavor might differ. Seasoning packets provide a more concentrated flavor, while bottled dressing adds moisture.
The safest way is to use a meat thermometer. Chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
Green salad, roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, or a simple pasta salad complement it beautifully.
Yes, you can bread the chicken in advance and refrigerate it. Just bake it when you’re ready to eat.
Typically, it takes about 20-30 minutes in a 375°F (190°C) oven, but the time may vary depending on the thickness of the breasts.
Using Panko breadcrumbs and ensuring your oven is properly preheated can give you a crispier crust.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in the oven or microwave. The oven method will help retain more crispiness.
Definitely! Thighs, drumsticks, or wings can also be used; just adjust cooking times accordingly.
More Quick Chicken Dinners
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Ranch Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breast halves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoons butter (melted)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Mist a baking tray or 9×13 pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Slice the chicken in half lengthwise, or pound to 1/2 inch thickens.
- Place on the prepared baking tray, making sure not to overlap.
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Brush 1 tablespoon of ranch dressing onto the top of each chicken piece.
- Mix the bread crumbs with the butter. Spoon over the top of each chicken.
- Bake 15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Serve with extra ranch dressing if desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
More Chicken Dinner Ideas:
- Copycat Malibu Chicken
- Easy Chicken Taquitos
- Ranch Chicken Stuffed Shells
- BBQ Grilled Drumsticks
- Copycat Margarita Chicken Recipe
- Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Recipe
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
- Chicken Enchilada Recipe- Freezer Friendly
- Easy Chicken Stir Fry
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
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This ranch chicken was super easy to make and it was delicious. I used boneless thighs. They cooked in 15 minutes. They were yummy and crunchy. Thanks.