To create cheesy ranch chicken, the tangy, herby flavor of ranch is slathered all over chicken breasts and topped with shredded cheese. It’s the ultimate weeknight chicken recipe!
To keep the recipe quick, I opted for boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can also use chicken thighs, but they will require a slightly longer cook time. And to make the recipe weeknight-friendly, I’m relying on a trusty ranch seasoning packet instead of ranch dressing. First, it’s easier to stock up on ranch packets. And second, the sauce should be thicker than ranch dressing—the thicker it is, the better it sticks to the chicken. Plus, packets of ranch seasoning offer a better “pop” of flavor!
4-Ingredient Cheesy Ranch Chicken Recipe
Be sure to sop up all the creamy ranch drippings with a hunk of hearty bread, or serve this chicken with rice and a heavy drizzle of those drippings.
Ingredients
- 4 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 (1-ounce) packet dry ranch seasoning
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Kosher salt and pepper
Directions
Step 1: Prep the ranch coating
Heat oven to 400ºF with rack set in middle position. Lightly coat a sheet pan with nonstick spray. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise and ranch seasoning.
Step 2: Coat the chicken
Place the chicken on prepared sheet pan. Using a pastry brush, spread the ranch mixture over chicken in an even layer.
Step 3: Sprinkle with cheese
Sprinkle cheddar cheese evenly over the chicken.
Step 4: Bake the chicken
Bake the chicken until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly, and a thermometer inserted in the center registers 165º, about 25 minutes.
How to Serve Cheesy Ranch Chicken
This chicken recipe can be served with all kinds of things, from salads and slaw to fresh sauteed broccoli. Since the oven is in use, I like to pair this cheesy chicken with Instant Pot Green Beans. Or make use of all the saucy drippings in the pan and serve this chicken over perfectly cooked rice.
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