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Ranch Parmesan Chicken Bake

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This Ranch Parmesan Chicken Bake is a quick, comforting weeknight dinner featuring juicy chicken breasts coated in a creamy ranch-parmesan mixture and topped with crispy breadcrumbs. It’s easy to prepare, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for busy families or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1–1.5 lbs)
  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing
  • 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional, for extra creaminess)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or melted butter, for breadcrumb topping)
  • Olive oil or cooking spray (for greasing baking dish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a thin layer of olive oil.
  2. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If thick, slice horizontally to make cutlets about 1/2-inch thick. Season lightly with salt and black pepper.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, combine ranch dressing, mayonnaise, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, and a sprinkle of black pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy.
  4. Spread the ranch-parmesan mixture generously over each chicken breast, coating the tops evenly.
  5. In a small bowl, toss breadcrumbs with olive oil (or melted butter). Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the coated chicken, pressing lightly so it sticks.
  6. Bake in the center of the oven for 25–30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (internal temp should reach 165°F) and the topping is golden brown. For thinner cutlets, check at 18–20 minutes.
  7. For a crispier top, broil on high for 1–2 minutes at the end, watching closely to avoid burning.
  8. Sprinkle with chopped parsley for freshness. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry for a crispier coating. Use panko for extra crunch, or regular breadcrumbs if preferred. For gluten-free, use GF panko or crushed rice cereal. Broil briefly at the end for a golden crust. Leftovers reheat well and can be frozen for up to 2 months. Customize with extra herbs, cheese swaps, or spicy additions as desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: ranch parmesan chicken, chicken bake, easy weeknight dinner, baked chicken, parmesan crusted chicken, family dinner, comfort food, high protein, meal prep, kid friendly

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/ranch-parmesan-chicken-bake-recipe-easy-weeknight-dinner-idea/