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Baked Ranch Chicken
Once you make ranch baked chicken your family will want you to serve it again and again. It’s that good! With only 10 minutes of prep time and 45 minutes in the oven, dinner is ready!
Chicken recipes are a staple for weeknight dinners—check out 53 of our highest-rated chicken dinners—and this one is no exception. The secret ingredients are a packet of ranch salad seasoning mix and box of cornflakes. A coating of Parmesan cheese adds a slightly creamy layer without it being too cheesy.
Ingredients for Baked Ranch Chicken
- Butter: This recipe calls for unsalted butter. You’ll already be adding salt and other seasonings.
- Cornflakes: This beloved breakfast item also ensures the chicken is crispy.
- Parmesan Cheese: Opt for a version of this Italian cheese that’s sold pre-grated or you can always buy a hunk and grate it yourself.
- Ranch Salad Seasoning Mix: Available in a packet, this recipe calls for just one packet. The ingredients are dried garlic, dried onion and buttermilk.
- Chicken Breasts: These should be boneless and skinless and about 4 ounces each.
Directions 
Step 1: Combine the ingredientsÂ
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the melted butter in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, combine the cornflakes, cheese and salad dressing mix.
>> Test Kitchen/Editor’s Tip: In Europe, Parmigiano-Reggiano and Parmesan are considered the same cheese. But in the U.S., Parmesan is a generic term that may not come from Italy’s Parmigiano-Reggiano region. Using the authentic Italian cheese (in a lesser amount than the original’s ½ cup) ensures a cheesy richness in the makeover with less fat and calories.
Step 2: Coat the chicken
Dip the chicken in butter and then roll in the cornflake mixture to coat.
Step 3: Bake the chicken
Place the chicken in a greased 13×9-in. baking dish. Bake the chicken, uncovered, until a thermometer reads 165°. This’ll take about 45 minutes.
Baked Ranch Chicken Variations
- Add bacon: Layer the top of your recipe with bacon bits or crumbles (sold in a jar or packet) just before you throw it in the oven.
- Make a dipping sauce: Sometimes you just want a sauce to dip chunks of meat in. If that’s the case, we recommend any of our wing sauce dips.
How to Store Baked Ranch Chicken
While we highly doubt you’ll have leftovers—because the recipe calls for just eight servings and we’re pretty sure everyone is going to come back for more—storing the baked ranch chicken is very easy, whether in the fridge or the freezer.
Can you freeze baked ranch chicken?
The best way to freeze ranch baked chicken—whether it’s already made and you plan to reheat it later or you’re storing leftovers—is to freeze the pieces of chicken individually on a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, after two hours transfer them to a resealable freezer bag or airtight container. This way the chicken pieces won’t freeze together.
How long does baked ranch chicken last?
If you store the chicken in an air-tight, covered container in the fridge it should keep for three to four days.
How do you reheat baked ranch chicken?
To get that same crispy, baked flavor—which the microwave can’t always nail—reheat in the oven at 400° for five to ten minutes.
Baked Ranch Chicken Tips
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
It will be gluten-free as long as you buy gluten-free cornflakes and follow the recipe by using the other ingredients.
What are some good vegetable side dishes to serve with this?
A cold vegetable side dish goes really well with this recipe, especially as you can prep it while the chicken is baking. Here are 63 ideas for garden-fresh side dishes, no matter what season.
Can I use a cheese other than Parmesan?
As long as it’s a hard and aged cheese in the Italian family, it will work. For example, Asiago and Pecorino are good alternatives.
Breaded Ranch Chicken
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
45 min
Yield
8 servings
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup crushed cornflakes
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
- 8 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Place butter in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, combine the cornflakes, cheese and salad dressing mix. Dip chicken in butter, then roll in cornflake mixture to coat.
- Place in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, until a thermometer reads 165°, about 45 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
1 chicken breast half: 254 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 959mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 26g protein.
A crunchy coating of cornflakes and Parmesan cheese adds delectable flavor to this zesty ranch chicken. The golden, crispy chicken is a mainstay dish I can always count on. —Launa Shoemaker, Landrum, South Carolina
Recipe Creator
