I am sure you know that a bit of mayonnaise makes everything better. It’s no secret. And that rings especially true with this flavorful Bacon Ranch Chicken!
Ingredients
With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can make the most flavorful and moist chicken!
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – These are the base of the recipe, of course! Look for chicken that’s evenly sized to ensure even cooking.
- Fine Sea Salt And Freshly Ground Pepper – These two kitchen essentials bring out the natural flavor of the chicken and other ingredients.
- Mayonnaise – This adds a creamy texture and helps keep the chicken moist while baking. Choose a good-quality mayo for the best results or make your own mayonnaise!
- Garlic Cloves – Fresh garlic is key here. Be sure to mince it evenly.
- Cheddar Cheese – Cheddar melts well and adds a rich, cheesy layer. Grate it freshly for the best flavor.
- Dry Ranch Seasoning – This is the ingredient that infuses the chicken with herby, tangy flavor.
- Bread Crumbs With Italian Seasoning – These provide a crunchy topping that complements the creamy mayonnaise.
- Bacon – Smoky, crispy bacon makes this dish absolutely irresistible.
Variations
This recipe can be switched up to create any number of different flavor profiles.
- Parmesan Cheese – Swap out some or all of the cheddar for parmesan for a nuttier flavor.
- Panko Bread Crumbs – Use these instead of Italian-seasoned bread crumbs for an extra-crispy topping.
- Turkey Bacon – Lighten things up by using turkey bacon for a leaner option.
- Spiciness – Add a little heat with spicy ranch seasoning or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Provolone Cheese – Layer a slice of provolone on top for even more cheesiness.
- Fresh Herbs – Sprinkle on chopped parsley or chives before serving for a fresh, bright flavor.
- Vegetarian – Replace chicken with hearty slices of portobello mushrooms.
How to Make Bacon Ranch Chicken
This chicken is a cinch to make! It’s as perfect for weeknight meals as it is for parties or game days.
- Mix the Creamy Topping. Combine the mayonnaise, minced garlic, ranch seasoning, and shredded cheddar in a bowl until smooth.
- Prep the Chicken. Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board, cover them with plastic wrap, and pound to about half an inch thick.
- Season and Arrange. Place the chicken breasts in a greased baking dish, then season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Add the Topping. Spread the mayonnaise mixture over the chicken, ensuring it’s evenly distributed.
- Bake the First Round. Pop the dish in the oven and let the chicken cook about halfway.
- Top With Bread Crumbs. Pull the chicken out of the oven and sprinkle each piece with bread crumbs, pressing them gently to adhere.
- Finish Baking. Place the dish back in the oven until the chicken is fully cooked and the bread crumbs are golden.
- Garnish With Bacon. Take the chicken out of the oven, sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the top, and serve warm.
What to Serve with Bacon Ranch Chicken
Bacon Ranch Chicken pairs well with a variety of side dishes! For a hearty, comforting meal, serve it alongside creamy mashed potatoes or buttered noodles.
If you’re looking to add some fresh flavor, try pairing the chicken with a simple salad or roasted vegetables. Green beans, asparagus, and broccolini all work well, too.
Storage and Freezing
This recipe is great for meal prep since it stores so well in the fridge!
Prepare the chicken and topping mixture in advance, then store them separately. Assemble just before baking to keep the bread crumbs crunchy.
How to Store
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
Can I Freeze Bacon Ranch Chicken?
Freeze the cooked chicken in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven.
Common Questions about Bacon Ranch Chicken
Ranch is a popular flavor thanks to the mix of seasonings that give the dressing its signature tanginess combined with savory herbs and aromatics.
Yes, you can make this dish in the air fryer but you may need to adjust cooking times.
The mayonnaise in this recipe helps to keep the chicken moist. Also, be sure to cook chicken breasts at a fairly low temperature to keep the chicken tender and juicy.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
This versatile protein is perfect for anything from appetizers to main meals. Take a look at more of our favorites!
Bacon Ranch Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Fine sea salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese , shredded
- 2 tablespoons dry Ranch seasoning
- 2-6 tablespoons bread crumbs with Italian seasoning
- 4 tablespoons bacon crumbled
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a small bowl combine the mayonnaise, garlic, dry Ranch seasoning and cheddar cheese.
- Lay each chicken breast on a cutting board, cover with plastic wrap and tenderize until ½ inch thick. Repeat with each breast. Transfer them to a baking dish lightly coated with cooking spray.
- Season each chicken breast with the fine sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Divide the mayonnaise mixture evenly on the top of each chicken breast, spreading out to the edges.
- Bake the chicken for 15 minutes, remove it from the oven and top each breast with bread crumbs, pressing down lightly to “catch”. The size of your chicken breasts will determine the amount of bread crumbs you use.
- Return them to the oven and bake for additional 15 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. The cooking time will vary depending on size.
- Remove the chicken and top with the bacon and serve.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back through and let us know how you liked it in the comments or star ratings.
Nutrition
I thought it would be weird to cook with mayo, but this was really good. I will definitely be using it more often. This came out so well!
My daughter and I are obsessed with anything that includes bacon and ranch, but this chicken was out of this world!
I love how easy this is to make and the chicken was utterly delicious and tender. Thank you for a great recipe!
My family loves this chicken recipe! It’s so easy to make and it’s in our weekly dinner rotation!
Anything with ranch is good with me, but this was incredible. So easy to make too.
I love mayo chicken, and the added flavors of the garlic, ranch, and cheese just push this over the top! Plus the bacon of course, you can’t go wrong with bacon!
I am totally with you on mayonnaise making everything delicious! I love that this chicken comes out perfectly baked and so tasty!