This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy
This baked ranch chicken delivers crispy, cheesy comfort food in just 30 minutes. It’s the kind of dinner that works when you need something reliable, delicious, and ridiculously easy. Five ingredients, one dish, zero stress.
The Secret Ingredient Might Weird You Out
Did I beg my husband to trust me as he stared in horror while I slathered mayo on raw chicken breasts the other day?
Sure did.
Then I watched in amusement as he happily devoured my baked ranch chicken without a peep – he was too busy shoveling it in to apologize for doubting me. 😉
The mayo and ranch mixture might feel like an odd combo, but it keeps the chicken super moist during baking. Just have a little faith in me here.
The panko creates this golden, crispity little topping that’s honestly addictive. Such an easy way to add some crunch without doing the whole breading process.
We love a 5 ingredient chicken recipe that is both completely easy to whip up and 100% kid approved.
Serve it up with my mac and cheese casserole and some sauteed broccoli for an easy family meal.
Why You’ll Love This Baked Ranch Chicken
It’s stupidly simple. Five ingredients you probably already have, mixed together and baked. No marinating, no complicated steps, no special equipment.
The texture is perfect. The mayo-ranch base keeps the chicken incredibly moist while the cheese and panko create a golden, crispy coating that doesn’t get soggy.
It works for everyone. Kids love the familiar ranch flavor, adults appreciate how moist it is, and it’s easily adaptable if someone wants to swap the cheddar for pepper jack or skip the cheese entirely.
Ingredient Notes:
Chicken – We’re using boneless, skinless chicken breast for this recipe. You could swap that for boneless chicken thighs, but adjust the cook time accordingly.
Mayonnaise – Be sure to use real mayo and not Miracle Whip. This won’t taste like mayo after baking but it does add tons of juiciness to the chicken.
Dry Ranch Seasoning – Be sure to use the ranch seasoning mix and not the dip mix. The dip has a lot more sodium.
Cheddar Cheese – We’re keeping it easy with a bag of shredded cheddar.
Panko – Our favorite breading for chicken recipes! It’s so flavorful and it gets perfectly crispy when baked.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
What is Panko?
Panko is a Japanese bread crumb that is light, airy, and crispy. It can be found in most any grocery store. We highly recommend using Panko over traditional bread crumbs in any breading recipe where you want a crispy finished product.
How To Make Baked Ranch Chicken:
While your oven preheats mix together the mayonnaise, ranch seasoning, and cheddar cheese.
Place the chicken into a baking dish and spread the ranch and cheese mixture over the top.
Sprinkle the panko over the top. Spray the panko topping lightly with cooking spray and bake for uncovered for 25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through to a safe temperature.
When the topping is golden brown and the chicken cooked through top with chopped parsley and serve it hot!
My Favorite Thermometer!
I love using this meat thermometer for making sure the meat is fully cooked! Easy for beginners & absolutely worth the low cost.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftover baked ranch chicken in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.
Freezing: You can freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months. Let it thaw completely in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating: For best results, reheat in a 350°F air fryer for about 5 minutes to help the panko coating get crispy again. Microwave works too, but the topping won’t be as crunchy.
Make-ahead tip: You can prep the chicken with the ranch mixture and cheese up to a day ahead. Just add the panko and bake when ready to eat.
Baked Ranch Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning
- 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup panko
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Place the chicken in a large baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ranch, and cheddar cheese. Spread on top of the chicken breasts.
- Sprinkle the panko on top and spray lightly with cooking spray.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Information:
This recipe was originally published in July of 2012. It was updated with new photos and video in January 2021.
Jessica says
This looks great! There are so many tasty ways to cook up chicken that I don’t think I could ever get tired of it — even if your husband disagrees. Congratulations on writing for The Huffington Post! I’m sure you’ll do a fantastic job! We’d love for you to submit a similar recipe to The Search for the Ultimate Weeknight Meal, offering a grand-prize to one lucky blogger who will tape a segment to air on national TV! If you’re interested, check out our contest page for more details. http://www.mrfood.com/Editors-Picks/Search-for-Ultimate-Weeknight-Meal-Blogger-Contest
Kelly of Simply Kelly Designs says
One of my friends pinned this and I had to try it. Made it for dinner tonight and everyone loved it! My kids (3 and 5) even liked it! I used light mayo and it was still delicious!
Thank you for the recipe!
Construction Supplies San Diego says
I know what I am making on Saturday for my dinner party!!!
Onlybyhishands says
Loved it! And so did my family! I received no complaints…usually anything I make new is eaten last and with much pleading but this…this was so good. I am going to try the creamed corn this week too! Thanks for all your recipes, I have tried many of them and they are all good!
Oh yeah that Roasted Strawberry Hotfudge Milkshake….it’s going to get made too!
Karly says
@Onlybyhishands,
Yay! Glad they loved it!
And thank you for the sweet comment. 🙂
Deborah says
Hey, if it’s this chicken all the time, I wouldn’t mind!! 🙂
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
I hate siding with the spouses, but at times, I can get really bored with chicken, too. But anything crunchy, cheesy and ranch-flavored is golden in my book, so I’m pretty sure I could stuff my face with this daily and never be bored again. The end.
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
Yuppppp my bf would go nuts for this. Sometimes I’m bored of chicken for dinner too!!! But this… oh man… this I could DEFINITELY do.
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction says
Oh wow. This looks incredible! There would be no complaints from my family with this dish!
Katie @ Oh Shine On says
Nothing shuts a family member up better than a delicious meal. It’s my go-to for nearly everything.
Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings says
Yum, yum, yum….I make something similar with mayo and parm cheese….now I have a new idea to mix it up 🙂
Joanne says
One of these days my boyfriend is going to start doing that, except with vegetables. “Do we have to be vegetarian EVERY time you cook?” he’ll ask. I can feel it.
Leigh says
This article came just in time. I pulled up my browser to look for a panko chicken fingers recipe, and this was in my RSS feed. I made this for my husband who was gone for 4 days for work. We loved it! What a great way to welcome him home.
Adriana says
Sounds so yum. Think I might sub the mayo with greek yogurt to save a few calories. Can’t wait! Oh and I thought my hubby was the only one who complained about chicken!
Cami says
@Adriana, Good idea! If you want the flavor of mayo you could use light or fat free. I use light in mine
danielle says
This sounds so yum. I’m totally making it. Just not tonight because it’s 8:23 and I just got home from work and I’m too tired to actually cook anything. I shall make it this weekend. After I make your blooming onion bread.
Janet says
Hi, I read your comment about the blooming onion bread, sounds so good, I searched all over this website and can’t find the recipe? Can you help me find it? Thanks 🙂
danielle says
@Janet,
Yup! I have it bookmarked. It’s one of my favorites. 🙂
http://bunsinmyoven.com/2011/06/30/bloomin-onion-bread/
Lauren says
This looks friggin’ amazing!