Ranch chicken recipes are definitely reader favorites here at Wholesome Yum (who doesn’t like a chicken bacon ranch or crack chicken?!), so this one fits right in. With such a popular flavor combo, the whole family is going to love this dish.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for baked ranch chicken, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Chicken – I use boneless skinless chicken breasts, but you can use chicken thighs if you like. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on their thickness, and whether you use bone-in chicken thighs or boneless. Sea Salt & Black Pepper Ranch Dressing – This is the main component for flavor and makes the creamy ranch chicken sauce. I like to make my own homemade ranch dressing for the best flavor, but you can use store-bought as well. For an extra ranch flavor, sprinkle the chicken with homemade ranch seasoning mix or a store-bought packet. Fresh Mozzarella Cheese – The fresh variety gets perfectly melty, but you can also use low-moisture shredded mozzarella instead. Feel free to esperiment with other cheeses. Cheddar, parmesan, or Monterey Jack would also be delicious here. Cooked Bacon – My favorite way to cook bacon is in the oven, but you can cook bacon in the air fryer, on the stovetop, or make microwave bacon. It does need to be precooked to be crispy in the final dish. For a shortcut, use 6 tablespoons of store-bought bacon bits instead.
How To Make Ranch Chicken
This section shows how to make baked ranch chicken, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Meal prep: You can prep ahead for lunch by making the entire dish ahead of time and portioning into meal prep containers with your favorite healthy side dish. If you want to meal prep baked ranch chicken for dinner, make the ranch dressing and cook bacon in the oven, and keep them in the fridge. Assemble and bake right before serving. Reheat: This chicken stays pretty juicy even when reheated in the microwave, but it tastes even better if you reheat in a 350 degree F oven. Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing this dish, since the texture of the ranch will change.
What To Serve With Baked Ranch Chicken
This creamy ranch chicken feels like comfort food, so it goes well with starches, but it’s also very rich, so veggies and low carb side dishes are good ways to balance that out. Try it with:
Noodles – Make your favorite pasta to soak up all that creamy sauce! For a healthier alternative, try zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash. Rice – Choose from white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice. Like noodles, these are great options to soak up the sauce. Roasted Veggies – You can make roasted brussels sprouts or roasted cauliflower in the oven at the same time as the ranch chicken, since the cook times are similar. (Just swap the positions of the pans halfway through, and take the veggies out a little earlier if needed.) If you’d rather roast your veggies separately, quicker options like roasted green beans with garlic or asparagus in the oven work well. Sauteed Veggies – Prepare sauteed broccoli or sauteed zucchini on the stovetop while cooking ranch chicken breast in the oven. Salads – If you have extra bacon, use it to top a classic wedge salad or crunchy broccoli salad with bacon.
More Cheesy Chicken Recipes
From gooey melted cheese toppings to creamy sauce, these chicken recipes will add a little something special to your dinner: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email.
