Description
This easy baked ranch chicken breast recipe delivers juicy, flavorful chicken with minimal effort in just 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding picky eaters, it uses simple pantry staples and ranch seasoning for a crowd-pleasing main dish.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs total)
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (about 1 oz)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking dish or sheet pan with parchment paper or foil.
- Place chicken breasts on a cutting board. If thick, pound to even thickness (about 1/2–3/4 inch) using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and arrange in the prepared baking dish.
- Brush both sides of chicken breasts with olive oil.
- Evenly coat both sides of each chicken breast with ranch seasoning mix. Add extra garlic powder or smoked paprika if desired.
- Arrange chicken in a single layer, not touching. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes (thicker pieces may take up to 30 minutes). For extra juicy chicken, cover with foil for the first 15 minutes, then uncover for the last 5–10 minutes.
- Check doneness: chicken is done when juices run clear and an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives.
- Slice and serve hot, spooning any pan juices on top. Enjoy with your favorite sides.
Notes
For extra juicy chicken, cover with foil for most of the baking time and uncover at the end for browning. Use a thermometer to avoid overcooking. You can prep the chicken up to 24 hours ahead. Leftovers are great for salads, wraps, or sandwiches. Most ranch seasoning mixes are gluten-free, but check the label if needed. For a dairy-free version, use a homemade ranch mix without buttermilk powder.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (about 6 oz cooked)
- Calories: 220
- Sodium: 500
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 32
Keywords: baked ranch chicken, chicken breast, easy dinner, weeknight meal, low carb, gluten free, meal prep, ranch seasoning, juicy chicken, oven baked chicken