This recipe delivers juicy, flavorful baked ranch chicken using minimal ingredients, making it a perfect, low-effort dinner for busy weeknights or simple meal prep.
Author:Leo
Prep Time:5 min
Cook Time:25 min
Total Time:30 min
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Dinner
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 6–8 chicken thighs
1 (1 oz) packet dry ranch seasoning mix
1/2 cup mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for a crispier top)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt) and the dry ranch seasoning mix until fully blended. This creates your creamy ranch coating.
Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This step helps the coating adhere better and promotes better texture.
Place the chicken in the prepared baking dish. Spread the ranch mixture evenly over the top surface of each piece of chicken, ensuring full coverage.
If using, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the ranch coating.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes for breasts, or 25 to 30 minutes for thighs, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the topping is lightly golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This keeps the chicken tender.
Notes
For an extra layer of flavor, add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder to the ranch mixture.
If you prefer a crispier crust without Parmesan, substitute the cheese with 1/4 cup of Panko breadcrumbs mixed with 1 tablespoon of melted butter.
This recipe works well for meal prepping; store cooled chicken in airtight containers for up to 4 days.