Baked Ranch Chicken Recipe
This Baked Ranch Chicken recipe offers a flavorful and crispy twist on classic chicken breasts using a homemade ranch seasoning blend, Panko breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese. The chicken breasts are sliced horizontally for quicker cooking and topped with a rich mixture of mayonnaise, melted butter, and herbs, then baked to golden perfection. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or casual gathering with family and friends.
- Author: Nora
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Seasoning Mix
- 1 oz. packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon dill weed
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 garlic cloves, grated (on a microplane grater)
Topping
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Chicken
- 2 large boneless and skinless chicken breasts (sliced horizontally to make 4 thinner cutlets)
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts horizontally to create thinner, more even cutlets that will cook faster and more evenly. Pat dry with paper towels to ensure the topping adheres well.
- Mix Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine the ranch seasoning mix, dill weed, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and grated garlic. Mix well to distribute the flavors evenly.
- Make Topping Mixture: In a larger bowl, blend the mayonnaise with the seasoning mix until fully incorporated. Add the melted butter, Panko bread crumbs, and grated Parmesan cheese, and stir until the mixture forms a moist, crumbly topping.
- Coat Chicken: Place the chicken cutlets in the prepared baking dish. Spoon the ranch topping mixture evenly over each piece, pressing lightly to adhere the crumbs to the surface.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C) and the topping is golden and crispy.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving. This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, salads, or rice.
Notes
- You can substitute homemade ranch seasoning if preferred for a fresher taste.
- Ensure chicken thickness is uniform for even baking.
- Use Panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch instead of regular breadcrumbs.
- To reduce fat, swap mayonnaise for Greek yogurt, though texture and flavor will slightly differ.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for 2-3 days and can be reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
Keywords: baked ranch chicken, crispy chicken breasts, ranch seasoning chicken, easy baked chicken, Panko coated chicken, Parmesan chicken