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We LOVE chicken recipes – it’s something our kids will always eat.
We especially love this baked ranch chicken because it is healthier than frying and takes just minutes to put together (5 to be exact). Then simply bake for a great weeknight dinner!
The breading on the chicken is really light, and it’s only made up of a small handful of ingredients. There aren’t any crazy concoctions of seasonings – just panko, parmesan cheese, garlic salt, lemon pepper, and the dry Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning mix. It’s the perfect savory breading to bring out the flavor of the chicken.
Add some roasted veggies or a salad and you have one delicious meal! We love it so much we have two tasty variations to try – Crockpot Ranch Chicken and Ranch Chicken!
Why we think you’ll love it:
- 5 minutes of prep. Coat the chicken and bake – it really is THAT simple! It’s a great go-to easy dinner for busy weeknights.
- Packed with flavor. Dry ranch dressing mix makes a great seasoning for chicken! Baked ranch chicken is so simple, yet so flavorful.
- A healthy variation. We love baked chicken the most because it is healthier than frying and takes just minutes to put together.
Baked Ranch Chicken Ingredients and Substitutions
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts – or chicken thighs or pork chops. Use a meat mallet to gently pound the thickest part of the chicken for an even cook. If using bone-in chicken, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F.
- ½ cup Panko bread crumbs – or crushed crackers, pretzels, cornflakes, or tortilla chips.
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese – or cheddar cheese or colby jack cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt (with parsley flakes)
- dash of lemon pepper
- 3 tablespoons Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Seasoning – or 1 Ranch seasoning packet
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided – salted or unsalted butter
How to Make Baked Ranch Chicken
- COAT. Put Panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic salt, a dash of lemon pepper, and dry Ranch seasoning in a bowl and mix until everything is well combined. Melt butter and dip 4 chicken breasts in butter and then dip in a mixture of crumbs.
- BAKE. Placed coated chicken breasts in a greased pan. Top with 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
- Bake at 350°F for 40-45 minutes. I baked it for 40 minutes and then broiled it on HIGH for the last 5-7 minutes to brown the panko a bit.
Stove Top Directions
Fry the chicken instead of baking. Heat about ½ inch of oil in a pan. Follow the directions for coating the chicken, place it in the hot pan, and make sure that it sizzles when it hits the pan. When the breast is golden, flip it over. If it’s getting too brown, turn down the heat; if it’s taking too long to cook, increase the heat. Once they have finished cooking, drain them on a paper towel.
Baked Ranch Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup Panko bread crumbs
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt (with parsley flakes)
- dash of lemon pepper
- 3 tablespoons Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Seasoning, or 1 seasoning packet
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Place crumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic salt, lemon pepper, and Hidden Valley Mix in a bowl and mix.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter and dip chicken breasts in butter and then dip in a mixture of crumbs.
- Placed in a greased pan. Top with 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes. I baked it for 40 minutes and then broiled it on HIGH for the last 5-7 minutes to brown the panko a bit. ENJOY!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Coat the chicken the day before and keep it covered in a baking dish in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
Complete The Meal
Sides
Parmesan Potatoes
30 mins
Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
20 mins
Roasted Broccoli
25 mins
Arugula Salad
10 mins
Desserts
Lemon Cheesecake
1 hr 25 mins
Strawberry Sheet Cake
40 mins
Dirt Cake Recipe
3 hrs 10 mins
Scotcheroos Recipe
20 mins
Baked Chicken Recipes
Baked Chicken Fingers
35 mins
Buttery Baked Chicken
1 hr 40 mins
Baked Chicken Parmesan
35 mins
Ritz Cracker Chicken
1 hr 10 mins
Collections
Recipe adapted from HERE.
This recipe was originally published February 2015.
My husband loves this recipe, I make it a lot. I usually use my air fryer so I don’t have to run my oven, especially in the summer. This is definitely a hit in my house!
Very good, nice taste and nice and moist!
Delicious but way to salty. Don’t know if it was the package of ranch being too much or the teaspoon of garlic salt. Going to try garlic powder next time.
I’m sorry it was too salty for you. Let me know how the garlic powder works out in this recipe. I would love to hear!
OMGOSH! First time reading your stuff and I am so happy! You feel welcoming, with tips on “other things you can do” and “other ways you can cook. Brilliant! I am not a food or cooking expert, thats why I look online, but you have inspired my dinners hands down. Thank you!
That means so much! Thank YOU for finding us here and for giving the recipes a try!
This is the best and easiest chicken recipe I have. I make it in the air fryer and it turns out perfect! I love it!
Mmm I bet it works great in the air fryer! So glad you enjoy the chicken recipe!
This is a great idea, but a few tweaks… next time I make this I will lessen the ranch seasoning powder to 1 Tbs. The flavor as is is a little too intense and salty. Otherwise a convenient weekday dinner idea!
Thanks for your feedback! This one is definitely great for a weekday!
OMGOSH! First time reading your stuff and I am so happy! You feel welcoming, with tips on “other things you can do” and “other ways you can cook. Brilliant! I am not a food or cooking expert, thats why I look online, but you have inspired my dinners hands down. Thank you!
If I make again I would reduce the ranch seasoning & garlic salt. It was much too salty! for myself & family. I used thin cut chicken breasts to speed up the cooking time, otherwise followed the recipe.
Thanks for the feedback! You can certainly play around with the measurements to adjust to your liking. 🙂
So easy and delicious,
My whole family loved it,
Will be doing this one again
Yay! So glad to hear that you enjoyed the chicken!
This was awesome. Thanks so much. My entire family loved it. We don’t eat mayo so this was perfect. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! I’m so glad to hear it was a hit with your family!
Hello KRISTYN,
This is really do delicious food ! Thanks for sharing !
Glad to share 🙂 Thank you for saying that!
Do you have to use breadcrumbs & butter? What about baking it with only the seasoning?
Totally optional! Hope you like it!