Baked Ranch Chicken Dinner

Category: Dinner Ideas That Actually Work

Chicken breasts are coated in creamy mayo, then dredged in a mixture of ranch dressing mix, parmesan, and breadcrumbs. After a quick bake in the oven, the result is golden, crisp chicken with a delicious tangy, cheesy crust. This simple dish uses only five ingredients and minimal prep, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it hot from the oven with your favorite side dishes. Leftovers can easily be reheated to maintain their crispiness, and freezing is an option for future meals. Enjoy a savory dinner that’s sure to please everyone at the table!

Clare Recipes
Created By Lily Chen
Updated on Fri, 25 Jul 2025 14:05:00 GMT
A dish of baked chicken with a white sauce. Save
A dish of baked chicken with a white sauce. | lilicooks.com

Crispy Baked Ranch Chicken makes weeknight dinners so easy. All you need is five simple ingredients to serve up juicy chicken with a crunchy cheesy crust that everyone at the table will love. It is the kind of dish that always disappears fast and never feels fussy to make.

My family was hooked the very first time I served this my teenagers even wanted leftovers for lunch the next day so it quickly became my go to for busy evenings

Ingredients

  • Ranch dressing mix: brings classic tangy herby ranch flavor use a good quality mix for the best taste
  • Breadcrumbs: create the crispy outer coating try panko for extra crunch and check they are fresh not stale
  • Parmesan cheese: adds lots of savory richness fresh grated parmesan melts and browns so much better than pre shredded
  • Chicken breasts: go for even sized skinless boneless pieces for even cooking press them gently so they are not too thick
  • Mayonnaise: locks moisture into the chicken and helps all the coatings stick I always use real full fat mayo for better texture

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep Your Oven:
Heat your oven to three hundred seventy five degrees Fahrenheit place a rack in the center and coat a large baking dish with nonstick spray so cleanup is easier
Mix Coating Ingredients:
In a shallow plate stir together the ranch dressing mix breadcrumbs and freshly grated parmesan until everything looks evenly distributed this blend becomes your savory cheesy crust
Prepare the Mayo Dredge:
Spoon mayonnaise into another shallow plate this will help the breadcrumb mixture stick to your chicken making sure it gets a nice thick coating
Coat the Chicken:
One by one dip each chicken breast first into the mayonnaise turn to coat all over then press both sides firmly into the breadcrumb mixture really pack it on for maximum crust then lay them in your greased baking dish
Bake the Chicken:
Slide the dish into your hot oven bake for about forty minutes until the coating is deep golden and the thickest part of the chicken registers one hundred sixty five degrees Fahrenheit with an instant read thermometer
Baked Ranch Chicken. Save
Baked Ranch Chicken. | lilicooks.com

Ranch dressing mix is my favorite ingredient because it turns boring chicken into something craveable with almost no work I remember letting my son sprinkle the parmesan over each piece it became his favorite job for Sunday dinner

Storage Tips

This chicken stores well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days For crispier reheating use the oven at four hundred degrees Fahrenheit for five minutes instead of the microwave I usually freeze leftovers by laying the coated uncooked chicken on a baking sheet then transferring pieces to a freezer bag They keep well for up to three months and can be baked right from frozen just add a few extra minutes

Ingredient Substitutions

If you do not have ranch mix try Italian dressing mix or make your own with garlic powder parsley dill and onion powder Gluten free breadcrumbs can easily be swapped and Greek yogurt can stand in for mayonnaise if you want a lighter version I once made it with cheddar instead of parmesan when I ran out and the result was still delicious

Serving Suggestions

I love serving baked ranch chicken over buttery mashed potatoes or alongside a crisp green salad For a heartier meal tuck it into sandwiches with lettuce and tomato or slice over a pasta with veggies It is always a hit at potlucks and makes excellent leftovers to enjoy cold

Baked Ranch Chicken. Save
Baked Ranch Chicken. | lilicooks.com

Cultural and Historical Context

Ranch seasoning became hugely popular in the United States thanks to the classic salad dressing created by Steve Henson in the 1950s Combining it with baked chicken is a modern American home cooking shortcut giving you big flavor without a lot of fuss My mom used ranch dressing on everything growing up so making it the star of our chicken dinners just feels like comfort on a plate

Recipe FAQs

→ How do I get extra crispy coating?

Use freshly grated parmesan and panko breadcrumbs, and coat each chicken breast thoroughly before baking.

→ Can I substitute mayonnaise?

Yes, you can use Greek yogurt or sour cream as alternatives to mayonnaise for a lighter flavor.

→ How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Check with an instant-read thermometer. The thickest part should reach 165°F for safe consumption.

→ What sides pair well with this dish?

Try roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, a fresh salad, or rice for a balanced meal.

→ Is it possible to freeze before baking?

Yes, assemble the coated chicken and freeze on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Bake straight from frozen when ready.

→ How can I keep leftovers crispy?

Reheat leftovers in a hot oven, around 400°F, for several minutes to revive the crunchy coating.

Baked Ranch Chicken Dinner

Oven-baked chicken, coated in ranch, cheese, and breadcrumbs, delivers a savory, crispy meal in under an hour.

Preparation Time
5 min
Cooking Time
40 min
Overall Time
45 min
Created By: Lily Chen

Category: Main Dishes

Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly

Cuisine Type: American

Output: 4 Serves

Dietary Options: ~

Ingredients

→ Chicken Coating

01 1 ounce ranch dressing mix
02 ½ cup breadcrumbs
03 ½ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
04 4 chicken breasts, skinless and boneless
05 ½ cup mayonnaise

Steps

Step 01

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Step 02

In a shallow plate, combine the ranch dressing mix with the breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. Place the mayonnaise in another shallow plate.

Step 03

Dredge the chicken breasts first through the mayonnaise on both sides, then through the breadcrumb mixture. Place into the prepared baking dish.

Step 04

Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes or until a thermometer reads 165°F (74°C) when inserted into the thickest part of the chicken breast.

Tips

  1. You can season your breadcrumbs with additional spices like chili powder or jerk spice for different flavors.
  2. For reheating, bake leftovers at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes until heated through, ensuring the chicken remains crispy.
  3. You can freeze uncooked or cooked ranch chicken. Freeze individually on a baking sheet before storing in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Required Tools

  • 9×13-inch casserole dish
  • Instant-read meat thermometer
  • Shallow bowls
  • Kitchen tongs

Allergy Information

Always check each ingredient for allergens, and consult a medical professional if unsure.
  • Contains dairy (parmesan cheese, mayonnaise)
  • Contains gluten (breadcrumbs)
  • Contains eggs (mayonnaise)

Nutritional Information (per serving)

These details are shared for general guidance and don’t replace professional advice.
  • Calories: 441
  • Fats: 28 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Proteins: 31 g