Baked Ranch Chicken
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Crispy Baked Ranch Chicken made easy! Using only 5 ingredients, you can create a yummy chicken dinner in just over 30 minutes. Simple, delicious and perfect for your weekly rotation.
You don’t need a vat of oil to get golden brown crispy chicken! With my baked ranch chicken recipe, you’ll be cooking dinner with ease. Only 5 simple and inexpensive ingredients required. A lot of people shy away from boneless, skinless baked chicken because they think it’s flavorless, dry and boring, but when you add a crispy ranch infused coating, it takes it to another level!
Baked Ranch Chicken
- Easy To Make
- Short, Inexpensive Ingredient List
- Simple & Delicious
- No Dried Out Breast
- Moist & Juicy
Crispy baked chicken, coated in mayo and crunchy panko breadcrumbs, seasoned with a homemade ranch dressing mix – yes please! I’m all about finding ways to make my favorite guilty pleasure recipes a little less guilty. Baking is always a great alternative to get crispy chicken, who needs all that extra oil? Not us!
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken – I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can also use chicken thighs.
- Seasoning – You’ll need ranch dressing mix for this! You can use my recipe, or buy a packet from the grocery store.
- Breadcrumbs – I used seasoned breadcrumbs but you can also use regular run-of-the-mill breadcrumb or Panko breadcrumbs.
- Parmesan Cheese – I like a nice freshly grated parm, it really makes a difference. Whatever you have on hand will work.
- Mayonnaise – This mayo, you could say is my secret ingredient, it’s what tenderizes the chicken and makes nice and juicy. Use your favorite or make your own using my homemade mayonnaise recipe!
How To Make Baked Ranch Chicken
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Prep Dredge: In a shallow plate, combine the ranch dressing mix with the breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. Place the mayo in another shallow plate.
- Coat Chicken: Dredge the chicken breasts first through mayo on both sides, then through the breadcrumb mixture. Place into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake: Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes or until a thermometer reads 165°F when inserted into the thickest part of the chicken breast.
FAQs & Expert Tips
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Ranch Dressing Mix?
Ranch dressing mix is a combination of seasonings used to make ranch dressing! It has become a popular flavor addition to many dishes, just like this chicken. You can find it easily in most grocery stores, but I like making my own! Check out my homemade ranch dressing mix recipe for more info!
How Can I Tell When My Ranch Chicken Is Done?
Every oven is different! The best way to always tell if your chicken is done, is by using an instant-read thermometer. The thermometer should read 165°F when inserted into the thickest part of the chicken breast.
Can I Make This Gluten Free?
Just swap in gluten free breadcrumbs in place of the regular stuff we have going on here. If you can’t find gluten free breadcrumbs just pick up some gluten free bread and follow my directions below detailing how to make your own breadcrumbs.
Why Do We Dredge The Chicken Through Mayonnaise?
Dredging the chicken through mayo here is important, because it’s used not only as a tenderizer, but it also helps make the chicken extra juicy and delicious.
Can I Make My Own Breadcrumbs?
All you need are 10 slices of bread, ground down in a food processor, from there just:
– Spread the breadcrumbs on a baking tray and place in your preheated oven.
– Bake at 300°F for 10 minutes or until the crumbs are golden and completely dry, stir occasionally.
– Cool completely on the baking sheet before incorporating.
Tips
- You can mix some spices into your breadcrumbs like chili powder, jerk spice, etc. Get creative with your coating!
- Get yourself an instant-read thermometer. Trust me, it will change the game!
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover ranch chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheating
To reheat so the chicken stays crispy, bake at 400°F for 5 minutes or until heated through. Keep a close eye on them to make sure it doesn’t burn.
Freezing/Make Ahead
You can freeze this ranch chicken either before or after baking. Place them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, freeze for 1-2 hours, then transfer them to a large freezer bag or airtight container. This will prevent them from freezing into a block together. Freeze for up to 3 months!
More Great Recipes To Try
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Baked Ranch Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 ounce ranch dressing mix
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 4 chicken breasts (skinless and boneless)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Prep Dredge: In a shallow plate, combine the ranch dressing mix with the breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. Place the mayo in another shallow plate.
- Coat Chicken: Dredge the chicken breasts first through mayo on both sides, then through the breadcrumb mixture. Place into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake: Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes or until a thermometer reads 165°F when inserted into the thickest part of the chicken breast.
Equipment
Notes
- You can mix some spices into your breadcrumbs like chili powder, jerk spice, etc. Get creative with your coating!
- Get yourself an instant-read thermometer. Trust me, it will change the game!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- To reheat so the chicken stays crispy, bake at 400°F for 5 minutes or until heated through. Keep a close eye on them to make sure it doesn’t burn.
- You can freeze this ranch chicken either before or after baking. Place them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, freeze for 1-2 hours, then transfer them to a large freezer bag or airtight container. This will prevent them from freezing into a block together. Freeze for up to 3 months!
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
Loved this! Kid tested and approved to my surprise! They’ve already asked to have it again.
How do I reheat this from frozen? (After it’s cooked then frozen)
Best way to reheat it and keep it crispy is to reheat it in the oven at 300F for a few minutes until heated through.
I made this for the first time. The only difference was that I marinated my chicken in pickle juice which made it so tender. Due to this, I didn’t add any salt. I baked and broiled in the end. This is a definite do over! Delish!! Very juicy and lots of flavor!! Highly recommend!
Easiest and Best Baked Chicken Recipe I’ve ever made. The entire family loved it. Can’t wait to try some of your other recipes.
Absolutely easy and delicious. I added some extra seasoning to the dry mix. Thank you!
Can I air fry the Ranch Chicken?
Absolutely!
I hate Mayo, mustard, ketchup but have come to the realization that the spices and the condiments do wonderful things for food. I had no intention of adding Mayo to chicken but this came out juicy and was so easy, and it used up that half a can of bread crumbs we had just sitting here. Thank you!!
My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it!
This is the best baked chicken recipe!
Bake covered or uncovere.
Uncovered.
Can we substitute mayo for something else? A great recipe otherwise. 😋
I pounded my chicken breast, followed instructions, sprinkled with onion, a little paprika and garlic powder because we love spicy. It is restaurant worthy! I will make this dish over and over.
I didn’t have 40 minutes to cook the chicken so I cut the breasts in half so they would be thinner. The crust ended up not being as golden brown but it was still delicious. My picky son loved it. I would not use chicken tenderloin because it may not come out as crispy also. Will plan ahead better next time.
This is one of the best chicken recipes I’ve ever made. So tender and juicy.
By far the Best chicken recipe I have ever found! The chicken came out so tender and juicy.
What time do I use for chicken tenderloins?
They should probably take 15 to 20 minutes. 🙂
My family’s mouth was watering. My husband wants me to make it again🙌 I used the exact recipe with boneless pork chops too🙌🙌🙌 Bravo