Are you tired of bland, boring chicken dinners that leave you craving more excitement? Get ready to revolutionize your meal prep with our irresistible Creamy Ranch Chicken Breasts recipe! This American-style dish transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-quality masterpiece that's so delicious, your family will be begging for seconds. With just a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you'll create a creamy, flavor-packed meal that looks impressive but takes less than 40 minutes to prepare.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all the ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 packet of ranch seasoning, 1 cup of heavy cream, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken breasts.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This will help them sear better and create a nice crust.
- Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
- In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Allow the oil to heat for about 1-2 minutes until it shimmers.
- Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the skillet. Sear them for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown. This helps to lock in the juices and flavor.
- While the chicken is searing, in a separate bowl, combine the heavy cream and the ranch seasoning packet. Stir until the seasoning is fully incorporated into the cream.
- Once the chicken breasts are nicely browned, carefully pour the ranch cream mixture over the chicken in the skillet. Make sure the chicken is well-coated.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Once cooked, remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute.
- Serve the creamy ranch chicken breasts warm, spooning some of the creamy sauce over the top. This dish pairs well with rice, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.
Tips
- Pat the chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden-brown sear that locks in maximum flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) - no guesswork needed!
- For extra richness, consider using full-fat heavy cream and a high-quality ranch seasoning packet.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring each bite is tender and succulent.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream or use Greek yogurt for a tangy twist.
- Experiment with additional herbs like dried dill or chives sprinkled on top for added complexity of flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 530kcal
Carbohydrates: 4g
Protein: 57g
Fat: 62g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 250mg
