Description
Easy and flavorful baked chicken breasts coated in a crispy ranch, Parmesan, and breadcrumb mixture. A family-friendly dinner that’s ready in under an hour!
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch dressing mix
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs (plain or Italian seasoned)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil or cooking spray, or line with parchment paper.
- Pound Chicken (Optional): If chicken breasts are thick, pound them to an even 1/2-inch thickness. Place chicken between plastic wrap and gently pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the dry ranch dressing mix, Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and milk until smooth.
- Coat Chicken: Dip each chicken breast into the mayonnaise mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Let excess drip off.
- Coat with Ranch Mixture: Immediately transfer the coated chicken breast to the bowl with the ranch dressing mixture. Press the chicken firmly into the mixture, ensuring it’s completely covered on both sides.
- Place on Baking Sheet: Place the coated chicken breasts onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece.
- Drizzle with Oil: Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the coated chicken breasts.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure accuracy.
- Rest: Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish (Optional): Garnish with fresh parsley, chopped.
- Serve: Serve with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- For extra crispy chicken, use panko bread crumbs.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Substitute Parmesan cheese with cheddar or mozzarella.
- If you don’t have dry ranch dressing mix, you can make your own.
- For a healthier option, use light mayonnaise and whole wheat bread crumbs.
- To prevent the chicken from drying out, you can marinate it in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes before coating it.
- If you’re short on time, you can use pre-cut chicken tenders instead of chicken breasts. Reduce the baking time accordingly.
- You can also cook this chicken in an air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavor of the coating. Some good options include paprika, oregano, and thyme.
- Make sure to thoroughly wash your hands and any surfaces that have come into contact with raw chicken to prevent the spread of bacteria.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes