Description
Baked Ranch Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make entrée featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts seasoned with dry ranch mix, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Baked to juicy perfection and optionally topped with melted cheese, this dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 2 tablespoons dry ranch seasoning mix
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Topping
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to fully preheat to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent the chicken from sticking.
- Arrange Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in the prepared baking dish for even cooking.
- Season the Chicken: Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken breasts. Evenly sprinkle the dry ranch seasoning, salt, and black pepper on top.
- Rub in Seasonings: Gently rub the seasonings into the chicken breasts to ensure every bite is flavorful.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Optional Broil: For a crispy top, switch the oven to broil and broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute, keeping the chicken moist.
- Serve: Slice and serve the baked ranch chicken with your favorite sides such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature to ensure the chicken is cooked through but still juicy.
- For added flavor, sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the chicken during the last 5 minutes of baking.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, verify that the ranch seasoning mix does not contain gluten.
- Leftover chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Adjust salt according to your dietary preferences.
