Description
This delicious Baked Ranch Chicken recipe combines zesty ranch seasoning with crispy Parmesan Panko coating for a flavorful and juicy chicken meal that’s quick and easy to prepare. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, this dish is ideal for busy weeknights or casual dinners with family and friends.
Ingredients
Ranch Mixture
- 1 oz. packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon dill weed
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 garlic cloves, grated
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
Breading
- 3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Chicken
- 2 large boneless and skinless chicken breasts, sliced horizontally to make 4 fillets
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F to ensure it reaches the optimal temperature for baking the chicken evenly and achieving a crispy crust.
- Prepare Ranch Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the ranch seasoning mix, dill weed, onion powder, black pepper, salt, grated garlic, and mayonnaise until smooth. Set this mixture aside as it will be used to coat the chicken fillets, imparting flavor and moisture.
- Mix Breading: In a separate bowl, combine the Panko bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and melted unsalted butter. This mixture will create the crispy and cheesy coating on the chicken.
- Coat Chicken: Dip each chicken fillet into the mayonnaise ranch mixture, making sure it is fully coated. Then dredge the coated fillets in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to adhere the crumbs thoroughly.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the breaded chicken fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Bake the Chicken: Bake the chicken at 425°F for 12 to 15 minutes. To ensure the chicken is fully cooked and remains tender and juicy, check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer; it should register at least 165°F before serving.
Notes
- Using an instant-read thermometer ensures chicken is cooked safely without overcooking.
- Grating garlic finely using a microplane helps distribute garlic flavor evenly.
- For extra crispiness, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- This recipe can be doubled easily for larger families or meal prep.
- Allow chicken to rest 5 minutes after baking to retain juices.
