Baked Ranch Chicken with Bacon, also known as Chicken Bacon Ranch, is a delightful and easy-to-make dish that brings together tender chicken breasts, flavorful ranch dressing, creamy sour cream, and crispy bacon. This comfort food is perfect for busy weeknights or special family gatherings.
Why Make This Recipe
There are many reasons to make Baked Ranch Chicken with Bacon. First, it’s delicious! The combination of ranch dressing and bacon creates a flavor explosion that everyone will love. Second, it’s simple to prepare. With just a few ingredients and straightforward steps, you can have a satisfying meal ready in no time. Lastly, it is adaptable; you can change the serving suggestions and side dishes to suit your family’s preferences.
How to Make Baked Ranch Chicken with Bacon
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1½ cups Ranch dressing
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1-1½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
- Kosher salt
- Freshly grated black pepper
- 1/4 cup cooked bacon crumbles
- Garnish: diced fresh parsley
Directions:
- Heat the oven to 375°F. Spray an 8 x 11-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- If the chicken breasts are uneven in thickness, pound them to an even 1” thickness using a meat pounder.
- Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with half the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Place the chicken in the prepared baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the Ranch dressing and sour cream. Pour this mixture over the chicken breasts, then sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
- Bake in the oven at 375°F for 20-30 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the breast reads 150°F.
- Set the oven to broil and broil the chicken for an additional 2-4 minutes or until the chicken is golden. Watch it closely to prevent burning.
- The chicken is fully cooked when the thermometer reads 160°F when inserted in the thickest part.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with cooked bacon crumbles. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with diced parsley if desired. Enjoy!
How to Serve Baked Ranch Chicken with Bacon
Baked Ranch Chicken with Bacon is versatile and pairs well with many side dishes. Serve it with a fresh salad, roasted vegetables, or mashed potatoes for a complete meal. The creamy ranch sauce is also great over rice or pasta.
How to Store Baked Ranch Chicken with Bacon
To store any leftovers, place the chicken in an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
Tips to Make Baked Ranch Chicken with Bacon
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in ranch dressing for a couple of hours before baking.
- You can use different types of cheese, such as mozzarella or cheddar, for a unique twist.
- Be sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it’s fully cooked.
Variation
You can add vegetables, like broccoli or asparagus, to the baking dish for a one-pan meal. Just be sure to adjust cooking times as needed.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
Yes, but make sure they are completely thawed before baking for even cooking.
2. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead, store it in the fridge, and bake it when you’re ready to serve.
3. Is there a way to make it spicier?
Definitely! You can add some hot sauce or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the ranch dressing for a kick.
Enjoy your Baked Ranch Chicken with Bacon, another fantastic dish that’s sure to be a hit!
Baked Ranch Chicken with Bacon
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts Pound to an even thickness if uneven.
- 1.5 cups Ranch dressing
- 0.5 cups sour cream
- 1.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese Divided.
- to taste teaspoons Kosher salt Season chicken.
- to taste teaspoons freshly grated black pepper Season chicken.
- 0.25 cups cooked bacon crumbles
- to taste diced fresh parsley For garnish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray an 8 x 11-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- If the chicken breasts are uneven in thickness, pound them to an even 1″ thickness using a meat pounder.
- Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with half the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Place the chicken in the prepared baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the Ranch dressing and sour cream. Pour this mixture over the chicken breasts, then sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
Cooking
- Bake in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the breast reads 150°F.
- Set the oven to broil and broil the chicken for an additional 2-4 minutes or until the chicken is golden, watching closely to prevent burning.
- The chicken is fully cooked when the thermometer reads 160°F when inserted in the thickest part.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with cooked bacon crumbles. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with diced parsley if desired. Enjoy!
