Baked Ranch Chicken Dinner

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

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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

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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.