I love a good chicken breast recipe! These ranch chicken breasts are brined and coated in ranch dressing and breadcrumbs to create a tender, moist chicken with a crispy outside. Brining chicken is super easy and really takes the overall flavor to the next level.
Juicy Chicken Breast
It’s easy to dry out a chicken breast as you bake it. This recipe will change that by adding one simple (and fast) step of brining the chicken.
This easy recipe uses only four ingredients to create a quick and fast dinner idea for busy weeknights. Ranch dressing is used as a coating for the chicken (similar to this everything bagel chicken recipe) and then sprinkled with breadcrumbs. It couldn’t be easier.
I like to serve this recipe with a simple fresh salad. Leftover chicken can also be used to make this chicken bacon avocado salad which is perfect for lunches.
Recipe Ingredients
CHICKEN: This recipe uses four (7 oz) chicken breasts. Feel free to use larger or smaller in size, adjusting the cooking time accordingly. This chicken is brined in a simple mixture of water and salt to which will produce juicier chicken.
COATING: A combination of ranch dressing, breadcrumbs and cooking spray are used to create the outer coating.
How To Make Ranch Chicken Breasts
There are a couple of quick steps to make this recipe.
- Brine the chicken according to full recipe instructions below (bottom of post).
- Dry chicken thoroughly with paper towel.
- Coat each chicken breast in ranch dressing, then breadcrumbs. Spray tops with cooking spray.
- Bake for 20 minutes, broiling in the last 2-3 minutes until golden and fully cooked.
These chicken breasts can also be cooked in an air fryer at 375°F for 25 minutes, as per my parmesan chicken air fryer recipe.
Recipe Tips
- Brining the chicken is an important step not to be missed. This will create juicier, tender chicken. It only takes 15 minutes to do and it’s worth it!
- Each chicken breast should be fully dry before dipping in ranch dressing. If not, the ranch won’t stick as well.
- Avoid a plate of mushy breadcrumbs by sprinkling them over top of ranch-covered chicken instead. Place the chicken covered in the ranch on a plate, then sprinkle fresh breadcrumbs on top. Flip the chicken over and coat the other side. Then add to the baking sheet.
- For crispier chicken coating, turn the oven setting to broil for last 3-5 minutes, keeping a close eye on the chicken during this time (so that it doesn’t burn).
More Chicken Recipes
- Ginger Orange Chicken Breasts are baked in a delicious orange honey sauce.
- One-Pot Chicken Burrito Bowl is fast and easy, cooked with rice and beans all in one pot.
- Sweet and Sour Chicken Bites are ooey gooey deliciousness.
- Maple Lemon Garlic Chicken Tenders are simple, fast and cooked in the skillet.
- Pizza Chicken is baked in pizza sauce, mozzarella and pepperoni, just like pizza!
Did you love this chicken recipe? Be sure to leave a rating below!
Ranch Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts, skinless and boneless - 7oz / 200g each
- ¼ cup salt
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- ⅔ cup breadcrumbs
- nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
Brine The Chicken:
- Add chicken breasts to a large bowl. Cover with enough warm water (not hot) and ¼ cup salt. Mix together and let sit for 15 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Pat with paper towels to dry completely.
Prep and Bake:
- Prepare three dishes: Add the ranch dressing to a shallow bowl, breadcrumbs to a separate bowl, and one clean plate.First, coat the chicken breast in ranch dressing.Next add it to an empty plate and sprinkle bread crumbs overtop. Flip to coat the other side. Place on baking dish. Repeat with other chicken breasts.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until cooked, turning the oven setting to broil in the last 2-3 minutes.
- Remove and let rest by covering loosely with foil for 5-10 minutes. Then serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes:
- The best way to tell if the chicken is done is from a meat thermometer. Poke it through the center of the chicken breast to read the temperature. Once it reaches 165°F internally, it’s cooked. It’s also important to let it sit covered for 10 minutes as it will continue to cook during this time.
- Brining the chicken is an important step not to be missed. This will create juicier, tender chicken. It only takes 15 minutes to do and it’s worth it!
- Each chicken breast should be fully dry before dipping in ranch dressing. If not, the ranch won’t stick as well.
- For crispier chicken coating, turn the oven setting to broil for last 3-5 minutes, keeping a close eye on the chicken during this time (so that it doesn’t burn).