Baked Ranch Chicken Recipe
This Baked Ranch Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts coated in a flavorful blend of ranch seasoning, dill, and garlic, then topped with a crispy Parmesan and Panko breadcrumb crust. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, this dish is an easy, crowd-pleasing meal that combines convenience with delicious taste.
- Author: Bella
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 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)
Coating & Topping
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Protein
- 2 large boneless and skinless chicken breasts (sliced horizontally to make 4 fillets)
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a baking dish or sheet by lightly greasing it or lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare chicken breasts: Slice each large chicken breast horizontally to create four even fillets. This ensures they cook evenly and faster in the oven.
- Mix seasoning blend: In a small bowl, combine the ranch seasoning packet, dill weed, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and grated garlic. Stir well to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Coat chicken with mayonnaise and seasoning: Spread about 1/3 cup of mayonnaise evenly over each chicken fillet. Then sprinkle the seasoning blend over the mayo-coated chicken, pressing gently so it sticks and flavors the meat.
- Prepare breadcrumb topping: In another bowl, mix the Panko bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and melted unsalted butter. This mixture will create a crispy, flavorful crust on top of the chicken.
- Top the chicken: Generously sprinkle the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture over each fillet, pressing lightly so it adheres well to the mayo layer beneath.
- Bake the chicken: Place the coated chicken fillets in the prepared baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the topping is golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and serve: Once baked, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to retain its juices and allow the topping to set slightly. Serve warm with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- You can substitute the ranch seasoning packet with a homemade mix using dried herbs like parsley, chives, and dill plus garlic powder and onion powder.
- Using mayonnaise helps keep the chicken moist and allows the seasoning and breadcrumb topping to stick well.
- Panko breadcrumbs create a lighter and crispier crust than regular breadcrumbs.
- Make sure the chicken fillets are of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking.
- For gluten-free option, use gluten-free Panko breadcrumbs and verify mayonnaise and seasoning mix are gluten-free.
Keywords: baked ranch chicken, ranch chicken, baked chicken breasts, crispy chicken, easy chicken recipe, Parmesan chicken, ranch seasoning