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This oven baked Ranch Dressing Chicken is a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner that only needs 5 ingredients. Chicken breasts bake in a ranch seasoned creamy layer with cheddar cheese. Best of all? The oven does most of the work for this dump & bake ranch chicken.
This ranch chicken pairs perfectly with roasted Ranch Potatoes or my family’s favorite Parmesan Roasted Potatoes.
Oven Baked Cheesy Ranch Dressing Chicken
This baked ranch chicken recipe is perfect of busy families when you need something comforting to feed the family, but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. With only 5 ingredients and about 5 minutes of prep time – this ranch chicken is ready for the oven in no time – it’s a dump and bake type dinner where the oven does most of the work.
Tender chicken breasts are coated in a cheesy and creamy ranch mixture and then baked to golden perfection. Tender, juicy, moist chicken that is basically fool-proof, even for beginner cooks, and turns out delicious each time.
The creamy layer keeps the chicken so moist and flavorful, and tons of flavor is added by simply using a packet of dried ranch seasoning mix, which is why this is one of those recipes that is hard to mess up. Anyone can make it!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Weeknight Dinner
- 🍽 Only 5 simple ingredients needed
- 🍽 Easy prep, dump & bake recipe
- 🍽 Naturally low-carb and keto-friendly
- 🍽 Kid-approved and family-friendly dinner that you can count on
- 🍽 Popular flavors with ranch + cheddar cheese
Only 5 Ingredients Needed
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts : The recipe needs 3 large chicken breasts, which will be cut in half lengthwise, so you will end up with 6 thinner pieces of chicken breast.
- Mayonnaise
- Plain Greek Yogurt
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Ranch Dressing Seasoning : This is a 1 oz packet of dried ranch seasoning.
How To Make Creamy Cheesy Ranch Chicken In The Oven (Printable Recipe Card)
Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish or sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
Arrange the thin sliced chicken breasts in the casserole dish in an even layer.
In a small mixing bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt, shredded cheddar cheese, and ranch seasoning. Spread the mixture over top the chicken breasts in the pan.
Bake for 45-50 minutes, uncovered, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
How To Store & Reheat Leftover Ranch Chicken
Any leftover ranch chicken should be stored in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for up to 3-4 days.
To reheat, place leftovers in an oven-safe dish and heat at 350°F for 15-20 minutes or until thoroughly heated. You can also microwave individual portions if wanted. Or the chicken is also really good eaten cold from the fridge over a salad, as a salad topping and added protein.
Substitutions & Ingredient Notes
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts : Another option would be to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Mayonnaise : For the best flavor use full-fat mayonnaise. For an egg-free option use a vegan mayonnaise. Any mayonnaise can be used; avocado oil, light, full-fat, etc. I prefer using full-fat mayonnaise because it gives the best rich, creamy flavor and texture. You can also use less mayo if wanted (I have used 3/4 cup with great results before).
- Plain Greek Yogurt : Sour cream is another option.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese : For the best smooth and creamy melt, shred the cheese from a block of cheese using a box cheese grater. A medium or sharp cheddar cheese will hold up best. But mild cheddar can be used if wanted.
- Ranch Dressing Seasoning Packet : If using homemade seasoning, you will need 3 tablespoons to equal one (1 oz) packet.
Pro Tips From The Test Kitchen
- I highly recommend getting yourself a meat thermometer, or instant read digital meat thermometer, for cooking. It really is the only safe and reliable way to know if the chicken is at the proper internal temperature – 165° F – before serving it. Stick the thermometer into the thickest part of each chicken breast to ensure it’s cooked properly.
- Buy an 8 ounce block of medium cheddar cheese and use a cheese grater to shred it yourself. Shredding cheese from a block is better because it melts smoother, creamier, and tastes better than the bagged shredded cheeses. Of course, pre shredded cheese can be used, but I recommend shredding the cheese yourself.
- Make sure that the chicken breasts are not on top of each other, or overlapping, inside the baking pan. Use whatever size sheet pan or baking dish you need to, in order for the chicken to be in an even layer.
Ranch Chicken Recipe FAQs
What Does It Mean To Cut The Chicken In Half? How Do I Do That?
To cut the chicken breast in half, lay it on a cutting board and apply pressure on top of it with your hand (that is not holding the knife). Eyeball halfway down the chicken (lengthwise so you end up with two thinner pieces, top and bottom) and use a shark knife to cut the length of the chicken. As you get about halfway through, you can lift your hand and hold the end you have already cut, keeping it together while you continue through the remaining end of the chicken breast. If you choose not to cut the chicken into two thinner pieces, the cook time will have to be increased in order for the thicker chicken to cook thoroughly.
Where Do I Find The Ranch Dressing Seasoning?
The packet of ranch seasoning is not with the other dried seasonings and spices; instead you will find it in the condiment aisle by the salad dressings. Usually on the top shelf above where the bottled salad dressings and other condiments are. I use the Hidden Valley Ranch brand but some store brands also make it.
Can I Use Frozen Chicken Breasts?
You can use frozen chicken breasts out of the freezer. Ensure that they are fully thawed and pat them dry with a paper towel before seasoning and baking. Frozen meat tends to release more water as they thaw, and you don’t want that to prevent your seasoning from adhering to the chicken. So that’s why they need to be fully thawed and patted dry before proceeding with the recipe.
How Can I Make Ranch Chicken Spicy?
Add some crushed red pepper in with the seasoning mix or use a packet of spicy ranch seasoning mix (some grocery stores carry this).
More Oven Baked Chicken Recipes
More Family Favorite Ranch Recipes
- Fiesta Ranch Dip
- Skillet Ranch Chicken Fajitas
- Cottage Cheese Ranch Dressing (High Protein Low Calorie Ranch)
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
- How To Make The Best Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe
- Honey Lime Salsa Verde Ranch Chicken Tacos
- Jalapeño Ranch Dip
- Slow Cooker Taco Ranch Chicken Chili
- Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Potatoes
Ranch Dressing Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (trimmed & cut in half lengthwise)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1½ cups shredded medium cheddar cheese
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish or sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Arrange the thin sliced chicken breasts in the casserole dish in an even layer. *Each chicken breast should be cut in half, lengthwise, so you end up with two thinner pieces from each breast (a top and bottom piece). So 6 thin pieces total from the 3 chicken breasts.3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- In a small mixing bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt, shredded cheddar cheese, and ranch seasoning. Spread the mixture over top the chicken breasts in the pan.1 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt, 1½ cups shredded medium cheddar cheese, 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
- Bake for 45 minutes, uncovered, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts : Another option would be to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Mayonnaise : For the best flavor use full-fat mayonnaise. For an egg-free option use a vegan mayonnaise. Any mayonnaise can be used; avocado oil, light, full-fat, etc. I prefer using full-fat mayonnaise because it gives the best rich, creamy flavor and texture. You can also use less mayo if wanted (I have used 3/4 cup with great results before).
- Plain Greek Yogurt : Sour cream is another option.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese : For the best smooth and creamy melt, shred the cheese from a block of cheese using a box cheese grater. A medium or sharp cheddar cheese will hold up best. But mild cheddar can be used if wanted.
- Ranch Dressing Seasoning Packet : If using homemade seasoning, you will need 3 tablespoons to equal one (1 oz) packet.
- Tip : Make sure that the chicken breast pieces are not overlapping or on top of each other in the baking dish. I use a 9×13 casserole dish and the chicken fits fine. You can use any baking dish or sheet pan as long as the chicken can fit in an even layer without overlapping.
Nutrition
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