Easy Baked Ranch Chicken Recipe
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This Ranch Chicken Recipe is one of my favorite recipes and the perfect tasty and easy dinner idea. Made with simple ingredients, this classic, flavorful chicken dinner comes together in about 30 minutes. Your whole family will rave about this one!
This tender Ranch Chicken is a feast of flavor made in a single skillet and a ranch lover’s dream. This nostalgic chicken and ranch reminds me of those types of delicious comfort food dishes my mom would make when I was younger.
This is one of those easy recipes that I just love to make over and over again. Tender chicken, melty cheese, crispy bacon, and tangy ranch dressing combine with other simple seasonings to create a creamy and delicious dinner you can make in under 30 minutes with just one pan. It can even be made ahead of time, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Like my Ranch Chicken Pasta, this delicious dish is simple and quick to prepare.
Pair this easy chicken recipe with some simple rice, short pasta, or baked or au gratin potatoes and vegetables or your favorite side dishes for a complete meal. Oh, and be sure to have some homemade bread on hand for sopping up all the scrumptious sauce!
Why Try This ​Creamy Ranch Chicken Recipe
- Delicious – Tender, juicy chicken breasts are cooked in a creamy sauce full of seasoned ranch flavor and topped with cheese and bacon.
- Easy Recipe – This creamy chicken recipe just takes a few ingredients and is easily made in a single skillet..
- Make Ahead – You can make this family favorite recipe ahead of time – perfect for busy weeknights.
Ranch Chicken Ingredients
This divinely delicious recipe uses simple but fresh ingredients for ultimate flavor
Chicken – I like to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can sub thighs or tenders
Ranch – use your favorite bottled dressing from the grocery store or make your own Homemade Buttermilk Ranch
Mozzarella cheese – lots of cheeses will work. See some of my suggestions below.
Bacon – cooked and chopped
Paprika
Garlic powder
Salt and black pepper
Sour cream and parsley – optional, for garnish
Equipment Needed To Make
- Cast iron or oven proof skillet
- Instant-read thermometer
Substitutions & Alterations
- Use different types of cheese – Cheddar cheese, gorgonzola or Blue cheese, fontina, asiago or parmesan cheese. All sorts of cheese will work great with this recipe.
- For a deeper, smoky flavor, try smoked paprika.
- You could substitute chicken thighs or chicken tenders.Be sure to use a cooking thermometer as cooking time will vary depending on cut used. Always cook chicken to an internal temp of 165°F.
- To reduce the calorie content of the dish, replace the bacon with ham and use low-calorie cheese.
How to Make Ranch Chicken
This is a simple but shortened Step by Step Instructions overview. Full recipe instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
Step 1 – Season the chicken
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Step 2 – Place cheese on chicken
Step 3 – Pour ranch sauce over chicken breasts
Step 4 – Add cheese and bake in preheated oven until golden brown
Step 5 – Top with bacon pieces and optional sour cream and parsley.
Time Saving Tips & Tricks
- For best results, use a cooking thermometer to monitor chicken doneness. Internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken should be 165°F
- Use a meat tenderizer on the chicken before cooking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
How to Serve Ranch Chicken
- Serve the chicken dish with some delicious Garlic Knots, fresh dinner rolls or warm, homemade bread.
- Add a side dish like Grilled Asparagus, roasted green beans and baby carrots, or Balsamic Bacon Brussels Sprouts.
- This ranch chicken can be served with pasta, rice, potato wedges, or baked or au gratin potatoes.
How to Store Leftover Chicken
Make sure the chicken is cooled to room temp before storing. Place the cooled leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate. Eat leftovers within 3-4 days.
How to Reheat Bacon Ranch Chicken
I like to reheat this chicken dish in the oven or the air fryer to maintain its textural integrity. Between the cheese, dressing, bacon, and chicken, the microwave just doesn’t do it with all the individual components at play.
In the Oven – Place leftover chicken in a casserole dish or on a sheet pan and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Reheat chicken in a preheated 350° oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through completely.
In the Air Fryer – place the chicken in a single layer and heat on 350 for 5-7 minutes or until heated.
What to Make Next
If you have got some leftover chicken, try my BBQ chicken fried rice or my Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders. Both are easy to make and great for simple, quick mieals.
More Amazing Chicken Recipes
Ranch Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- baking pan
Ingredients
- 4 small chicken breasts
- 2/3 cup Ranch dressing
- 8 ounces’ mozzarella cheese
- 6 pieces crispy bacon chopped
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- Salt and black pepper
- Sour cream optional
- Parsely chopped- optional for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400° F. Trim the chicken breasts or cut in half lengthwise if they are thick.
- Sprinkle chicken with garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper.
- Spray the baking dish with olive oil. Lay out the prepared fillets so that the portions barely touch each other. This arrangement will ensure even baking. Spread the ranch sauce on each portion and spread it in a thick layer.
- Cut the mozzarella into slices and place on chicken pieces. Cover the dish and bake in the oven for 18-20 minutes.
- Remove chicken from the oven. Place the bacon on the melted cheese and continue cooking uncovered for 10 minutes.
- Place the chicken on a serving plate together with the sauce and herbs. Drizzle the dish with additional ranch sauce or sour cream and chopped parsley.
Notes
- For best results, use a cooking thermometer to monitor chicken doneness. Internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken should be 165°F
- Use a meat tenderizer on the chicken before cooking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
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I bet these are mighty tasty! My boys like just about anything with bacon and cheese.
Made this last night – super easy and went well with mashed potatoes.