Baked Ranch Chicken Recipe
This Baked Ranch Chicken recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make meal featuring juicy chicken breasts coated in a creamy, flavorful ranch yogurt mixture and topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a quick dinner, this dish offers a tender and cheesy delight that pairs well with a variety of sides.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet (1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Topping
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare it for baking the chicken evenly.
- Make the ranch marinade: In a large bowl, combine the ranch seasoning mix, plain Greek yogurt, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and paprika, stirring well to form a smooth mixture.
- Coat the chicken: Add the boneless skinless chicken breasts to the bowl and toss them thoroughly until each piece is evenly coated with the ranch yogurt mixture, ensuring full flavor coverage.
- Arrange in baking dish: Place the coated chicken breasts into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, laying them out so they bake uniformly.
- Add cheese topping: Evenly sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the coated chicken breasts to create a cheesy crust during baking.
- Bake the chicken: Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached.
- Broil for browning: For a golden, bubbly cheese crust, broil the chicken under high heat for 2-3 minutes at the end of the baking time, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest before serving: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- If you prefer a spicier flavor, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade.
- This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a green salad.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently to maintain moisture.
- Greek yogurt adds creaminess and tang while keeping the dish lower in fat compared to mayonnaise-based ranch dressings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (about 8 ounces)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 46g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: baked ranch chicken, cheesy ranch chicken, easy chicken dinner, baked chicken breasts, ranch seasoning chicken, healthy chicken recipes