Description
How to make juicy baked ranch chicken with crispy coating and herbs that creates the perfect cozy family dinner in just 30 minutes every time.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Base
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Ranch Coating
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Flavor Enhancers
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped for garnish
- Cooking spray for baking dish
Instructions
- Prep Chicken: Preheat oven to 425°F and spray baking dish with cooking spray. Pound chicken breasts to even 3/4-inch thickness, then season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Mix Coating: Combine ranch packet, panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, parsley, and paprika in shallow dish. Drizzle melted butter over mixture and toss until evenly moistened.
- Coat Chicken: Brush each chicken breast with olive oil on both sides. Press firmly into breadcrumb mixture, coating completely and patting gently to help coating adhere.
- Arrange Baking: Place coated chicken in prepared baking dish, leaving space between pieces. Sprinkle any remaining breadcrumb mixture over tops for extra crispiness and flavor.
- Bake Until: Bake 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F and coating is golden brown. Avoid flipping to maintain crispy coating integrity throughout cooking.
- Rest Serve: Let chicken rest 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices. Garnish with fresh chives and serve immediately while coating is at peak crispiness.
Notes
- Pound chicken to even thickness for consistent cooking throughout all pieces.
- Store leftovers in refrigerator up to 3 days in airtight container.
- Substitute Italian seasoning for ranch mix if preferred flavor profile.
- Serve immediately while coating is at peak crispiness for best texture.
- Double recipe easily for larger families or meal prep purposes.
- Use wire cooling rack under dish for extra crispy bottom coating.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 285 calories
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Protein: 36g