This ranch chicken is coated in a Parmesan cheese, dry ranch dressing breadcrumb mixture then baked in the oven until tender. It’s family friendly easy weeknight dinner!
Parmesan Ranch Baked Chicken
It’s always a good idea to have a few trusty chicken breast recipes in your arsenal. This Parmesan ranch chicken is one of our top favorites, as well as spinach and cream cheese stuffed chicken breast and baked chicken parmesan.
My kids often request this easy 30 minute meal for a weeknight dinner. The chicken is breaded in crunchy Panko breadcrumbs, savory Parmesan cheese and zesty ranch dressing mix then baked to perfection with tender results every time.
Ingredient Notes
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Chicken: I used 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You could make baked chicken tenders as well, but you may need to decrease cooking time.
- Seasoning: Make sure to use a packet of the dry ranch dressing mix instead of the creamy dressing in a bottle.
- Breadcrumbs: For the crunchy coating on the ranch chicken, you can use Panko breadcrumbs or homemade breadcrumbs. For something different, try crushed cornflakes.
- Parmesan cheese: I like the texture that grated Parmesan cheese adds, however feel free to use shredded parm as well.
- Butter: I use unsalted butter vs. salted butter in this recipe because the ranch dressing mix already has salt in it. You could also dredge the chicken in mayo.
How to Make Parmesan Ranch Chicken
Baked ranch chicken is easily made in 4 simple steps, it’s a kid-friendly approved recipe that adults love, too!
- Tenderize chicken breasts: Cover the chicken breasts with a piece of plastic wrap and using a meat mallet or rolling pin pound them into an even thickness. This not only makes the chicken more tender but also ensures that the breasts bake at the same time.
- Prep coating mixture: In a shallow bowl, stir the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and ranch seasoning together. Melt butter and place in a shallow dish.
- Dredge chicken: Dip the chicken breasts first in the melted butter than coat with the breadcrumb mixture making sure to roll the chicken so all sides are coated. Place on prepared baking sheet or prepared baking dish.
- Bake: Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes or until meat thermometer indicates that the chicken is cooked through. Top with garnish and serve!
Tips and Variations
- Slice chicken in half. Chicken breasts can be a bit thick, so it helps to slice each breast in half to make two chicken cutlets like I do with parmesan crusted chicken. The meat will cook quicker and more evenly in the oven this way.
- Coat well. Dip the chicken in butter first, so that the coating will stick to the meat. You want all sides of the meat to be completely covered in the crumb mixture. It gives it that nice, crusty exterior.
- Broil. For an extra crispy crust, broil for a minute or so at the end of cooking. Make sure to keep a close eye on it, you don’t want the crust to burn!
- Let rest. Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. This keeps the meat nice and juicy, as well as makes it easier for the crust to remain intact while slicing.
- Garnish: A squeeze of lemon pairs well with this crispy baked ranch chicken just like in milanese or my baked lemon chicken recipe. Fresh parsley will add color and fresh herby taste!
Serving Suggestions
To keep it simple, I love to serve this parmesan ranch chicken with sauteed green beans and potato wedges or a side of noodles. Leftovers are great in a chopped salad or wrap!
Storage
- Store: To store leftovers of Parmesan ranch chicken, place chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheating in the oven at 400°F for 5 minutes or the air fryer is the best way for your chicken to retain crispness.
- Freeze: You can also freeze this recipe as a make ahead dinner! After coating, flash freeze in a single layer on a parchment lined baking pan. Place in a freezer safe bag and freeze up to 3 months.
More easy chicken dinner recipes we love include crockpot Italian chicken, Hawaiian haystacks and chicken crescent rolls.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
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Parmesan Ranch Chicken
Video
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces each)
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs *see notes
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 Tablespoons dry ranch dressing
- ¼ cup unsalted butter , melted
- Fresh parsley , for serving (optional)
- Lemon slices , for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Using a rolling pin or meat tenderizer, pound the 4 chicken breasts to an even thickness.
- In a shallow bowl, stir 1/2 cup bread crumbs, 1/3 cup parmesan, and 2 Tablespoons ranch seasoning. Dip each piece chicken in 1/4 cup melted butter, and then roll in crumb mixture to coat. Place on a baking sheet.
- Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until cooked through the center. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon slices, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Chicken, Dinner, Low Carb, Nut-Free, Reader Favorites
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Have made this many times in the past. Such a great recipe!
I used seasoned panko crumbs….and turned the chicken over half way through the baking.
Everyone loves this recipe.
Thank you.
I’m always looking for new ways to bake chicken breasts, and this recipe did not disappoint. Easy, yummy, and even my picky eaters enjoyed it!
This parmesan ranch chicken recipe is so yummy and super easy to make. Ranch and parmesan are too of my favorite flavors, so this is perfect for me!
This chicken was so good, my whole family had to go back and get some more.
Absolutely delicious!! I didn’t have a ranch packet so I used popcorn seasoning and it came out amazing! My super picky child even loved it!
This was SUPER easy to make & the chicken turned out nice & juicy! I would definitely make it again, I just wonder if there is a way to bring out the ranch flavor, more.
So glad to hear you loved it! You could try adding in more ranch seasoning, although it could make the chicken a little more salty.
Add more seasonings found in a Ranch packet instead fo more contents to avoid the extra salt.
Delicious and simple!
I have made this many many times, and it is always delicious! Even my picky toddlers enjoy it. The best part is that it is quick and easy!
I’m so happy to hear it’s a family favorite! Thanks for your comment and review, Katie :)
I substituted sour cream for the butter, it brought out more of the ranch flavor
Happy to hear the substitute worked well for you!
I made this parmesan ranch chicken with rice and a corn and green bean mix for vegetables it was a hot with family even my picky eaters tonight I’m trying the goulash with a few less ingredients I don’t have I’m so glad I follow iheartnaptime I’m actually wanting to cook Thank you
Love hearing this, Jess! So glad the chicken was a hit with your family and I hope you love goulash just as much! :)
My husband loved this recipe! He wanted more and more. Sometimes he can be picky so thank you for the new recipe to add to my list! :)
Yay, this makes me so happy to hear! Glad it was hubby approved :)
My son will love this. What a brilliant idea to use crushed tortilla chips here. Yum! I must make this! Thanks for the recipe.
This chicken was absolutely delicious – I LOVED the panko coating!
Amazing!
OMG! THIS WAS AMAZING! This is a keeper
So happy to hear that! Thanks for your comment and review, Robin :)
OH MY MG!!! My daughter and I made this tonight and it was UH~MAZING!!!! Thank you for sharing!!
I’m so glad you liked it! It’s one of our favorites too :)
It was delicious. I used tenderloins, ritz crackers and the rest of the recipe as posted. I cooked in my air fryer for about 14 mins on 370. Crispy and yummy!!
Thanks for sharing your experience in the air fryer. I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
I make this recipe and it was great. I added more ranch dressing mix. More grated cheese because I use more chicken and instead of Ritz crackers a used herb crackers. It was great. It turned out perfectly and I really liked it
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!