Are you tired of boring, bland chicken dinners that leave you feeling unsatisfied? Get ready to revolutionize your meal prep with this mouthwatering Crunchy Baked Ranch Chicken that promises a perfect blend of crispy texture and irresistible ranch flavor! In just 40 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-quality dish that will have your family begging for seconds and wondering how you became such a culinary genius.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- In a shallow mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs, ranch dressing mix, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir thoroughly to ensure even distribution of seasonings.
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps the coating adhere better.
- Drizzle olive oil over the chicken breasts, ensuring each piece is lightly coated. This helps the breadcrumb mixture stick and promotes even browning.
- Dredge each chicken breast in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure a thick, even coating covers the entire surface of the chicken.
- Arrange coated chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece to allow hot air circulation for even cooking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
- Remove from oven and let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and tender meat.
- Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley or additional ranch dressing on the side.
Tips
- Pat the chicken breasts completely dry before coating to ensure the breadcrumb mixture sticks perfectly and creates a crispy exterior.
- Use fresh breadcrumbs if possible for an extra crunchy texture. Stale or day-old bread works wonderfully for homemade breadcrumbs.
- Don't skip the olive oil drizzle - it helps the coating adhere and promotes beautiful, even browning.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee your chicken is cooked precisely to 165°F (74°C) for food safety and juicy results.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking to redistribute the juices, ensuring each bite is moist and tender.
- For extra flavor, experiment with different ranch dressing mix brands or add additional herbs like dried dill or garlic powder to the coating.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 290kcal
Carbohydrates: 5g
Protein: 32g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 70mg
