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
- Skinless chicken breasts (4 boneless breasts) – Tender protein base that bakes up juicy under a crunchy coating. You may also use chicken thighs or pork chops.
- Panko bread crumbs (½ cup)- Create a light, crisp crust that stays crunchy in the oven, or use crushed crackers, pretzels, cornflakes, or tortilla chips.
- Grated parmesan cheese (¼ cup)- Melts into the crumbs for flavor and better browning, or use cheddar cheese or colby jack cheese.
- Garlic salt with parsley flakes (1 teaspoon)- Seasons the chicken all the way through without extra measuring.
- Lemon pepper (dash)- Adds a bright, peppery pop of flavor.
- Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Seasoning (3 tablespoons)- Adds the signature herby tang, or 1 Ranch seasoning packet.
- Butter, divided (4 tablespoons)- Helps the crumbs adhere, adds flavor, and promotes even browning on top. You can use 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.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- 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.
- Pan fry. Heat ½ inch of oil until hot, add coated chicken so it sizzles, flip when golden, adjust heat as needed.
Baked Ranch Chicken Recipe
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
- 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.
- Pan fry. Heat ½ inch oil until hot, add coated chicken so it sizzles, flip when golden, adjust heat as needed.
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
Easy 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.
Tried tHis tonight for dinner And Hubby and I really enjoyed it – he said “very tastey!” Will DEFINITELY make it again!
Yay!! Tell him, thank you!!
Delicious, super easY, chIcken came out juicy… awesome weekniGht meal! Didnt use the parm because i used a Pre-packaged garlic ranch seasoning and this was great! Nice and crunchy, i did toast the panko beforehand and put a pinch of paprika to give it a more browned uniform color. Thanks so Much for this!
You are so welcome! Glad you liked it! Thank you!
Is the cooking time the same if using thin chicken breast?
I might be slightly less. I would just start checking maybe 5 min earlier.
DELICIOUS ?
Happy you think so 🙂 Thank you for letting me know!
aMzing Thansk
Glad you think so 🙂 Thank you!
I have tried it lots of time in my personal kitchen. it is just amazing!
Thank you for saying that!
My favorite chicken recipe, hands down!
Awe, thank you so much!
Delicious! Used a littld more garlic salt than recipe asked.
So glad you liked it! I like to add more, too! Thank you 🙂
I simply love all the things you can do with chicken. Another great recipe thats simple and has a great taste.
i usually always have chicken on hand, so getting new Delicious recipes are the BEST! We had this last night for dinner and my family loved it.