Description
Cheesy ranch chicken brings together creamy ranch seasoning and melted cheese for a mouthwatering main dish. Home cooks can easily prepare this crowd-pleasing recipe with simple ingredients and minimal kitchen effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) ranch dressing
- 1 packet (28 g/1 oz) dry ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) shredded Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheet with aluminum foil for effortless cleanup.
- Cheese Mixture Creation: Blend shredded cheddar, Parmesan, and dry ranch seasoning in a bowl, ensuring uniform distribution of ingredients.
- Chicken Seasoning: Season chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides to establish a robust flavor foundation.
- Ranch Coating: Thoroughly drench chicken breasts in ranch dressing, guaranteeing complete and even coverage for maximum moisture and taste.
- Cheese Application: Position ranch-coated chicken on prepared baking sheet, meticulously distributing cheese mixture across each breast’s surface, gently pressing to secure coating.
- Baking Process: Roast in preheated oven for 30 minutes until chicken reaches 165F (74C) internal temperature and cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Resting Stage: Allow chicken to rest briefly after removing from oven, enabling juice redistribution and ensuring ultimate tenderness before serving.
Notes
- Prevent Dry Chicken: Use fresh, high-quality chicken breasts of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry, tough meat.
- Maximize Flavor Coating: Press cheese mixture gently but firmly onto chicken to create a crispy, flavorful crust that locks in moisture and enhances taste.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to accurately check internal temperature, avoiding overcooking which can result in tough, rubbery chicken.
- Diet Adaptations: Substitute dairy-free cheese alternatives for lactose-intolerant individuals or use low-fat cheese options to reduce calorie content while maintaining delicious flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1150 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg