Description
Mississippi Mud Chicken is a comforting and flavorful baked chicken dish featuring tender chicken breasts smothered in a creamy ranch and au jus gravy sauce with the tangy kick of pepperoncini peppers. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this easy recipe yields juicy, savory chicken with a buttery, slightly spicy sauce that’s great served with mashed potatoes or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (1-ounce) packet ranch dressing mix
- 1 (1-ounce) packet au jus gravy mix
- Salt and pepper to taste
Additional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, sliced
- 1/4 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced (plus extra for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons pepperoncini juice (from the jar)
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Season Chicken: Place the chicken breasts evenly in the baking dish. Lightly season them with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Add Seasoning Mixes and Butter: Evenly sprinkle the ranch dressing mix and au jus gravy mix over the chicken breasts. Top each breast with a few slices of the unsalted butter.
- Add Pepperoncini Peppers and Juice: Scatter the sliced pepperoncini peppers over the chicken, then drizzle the pepperoncini juice on top to infuse a tangy, slightly spicy flavor.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. This allows the chicken to cook gently and soak up the flavors.
- Finish Baking Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the sauce bubbles.
- Serve: Spoon some of the flavorful sauce over each chicken breast before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or additional pepperoncini slices if desired for an attractive presentation.
Notes
- Serve this dish with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the rich, buttery sauce.
- For a slow cooker version, layer all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours until chicken is tender.
- The cooked chicken can be shredded and used as a delicious filling for sandwiches or wraps.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, ensure that the ranch dressing mix and au jus gravy mix you choose are labeled gluten-free.
