Baked Ranch Chicken

Name: Baked Ranch Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 lb (453g) chicken breast; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 ⅓ cups (33g) crushed cornflakes; 3 tablespoons ranch seasoning; 4 tablespoons grated parmesan

This baked ranch chicken recipe is an easy and flavorful chicken dish that’s sure to spice up your weeknight dinner routine.

Suitable for gluten free diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

a tray with banked ranch chicken , some sauce and a teaspoon

Chicken doesn’t have to be fried to be crispy, and it doesn’t have to be dredged in gluten-laden flour or breadcrumbs! Baking can give you incredibly crunchy chicken, especially when it’s coated in gluten free cornflakes.

Table of Contents

Easy Baked Ranch Chicken Breast

Classic Ranch seasoning gives this Ranch Chicken Recipe so much flavor, and it comes out juicy and tender every single time. And while you’re at it, sprinkle a bit of ranch seasoning on some steamed veggies for a quick and healthy side dish!

This kid-friendly recipe cooks quickly and it’s so easy to double or triple. Freeze some for later or make this when your kids bring friends home. Everyone will love this recipe and full bellies equal happy kids!

Baked Ranch Chicken Breast is delicious all on its own, but you can easily make it a full meal by serving with rice and your favorite vegetables, or slice and serve it on top of a big green salad.

And if you like this chicken dish, then you’ll love Chipotle Copycat Chicken and Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken and baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Breast.

Why Make This Recipe

Only 5 Ingredients – This short ingredient list includes things you already have in your pantry.
Flavorful – Not only is this ranch chicken simple, it is incredibly tasty.
Crispy and Juicy – Baking lets the coating get super crispy while the chicken stays nice and juicy!

the ingredients needed for making baked ranch chicken

Ingredient Notes

Chicken – We’ve selected chicken breast, but chicken thighs, tenders, and drumsticks would all be tasty options.
Olive oil – Or whatever light oil you happen to have on hand.
Crushed cornflakes – Use gluten free cornflakes if needed. You can also use Panko bread crumbs or crushed crackers.
Ranch seasoning – Look for the packets in the salad dressing of your grocery store. You’ll need a one-ounce packet for this recipe.
Grated parmesan – Fresh or the kind in the shaker.

How To Make Baked Ranch Chicken

Get the full ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

Preheat the oven and brush the chicken with olive oil.
Mix crush cornflakes, ranch seasoning and grated parmesan in a shallow dish.
Coat the chicken breasts in cornflakes mixture.
Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove foil then bake for another 10-15 minutes.

Note: Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be 165F / 74C when inserted into the thickest part of chicken breasts.

image collage showing the steps for making ranch chicken

Tips For Success

Purchase plain cornflakes. Do not use frosted flakes or this recipe will be too sweet.
Crush the cornflakes very well. You don’t want a powder, but you do want to avoid large pieces of cornflakes.
To ensure an even coating, gently press the chicken into the cornflake mixture.
Be sure to cover the chicken with foil for the first 30 minutes of cooking time. This will prevent the cornflakes from burning.
Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165F / 74C to be considerd safe to eat.
Remove the chicken from the oven as soon as it reaches the appropriate temperature to keep it juicy.

close up of 2 baked ranch chicken breast on a baking tray with herb garnish

Variations

Use Other Seasonings – Swap out the ranch seasoning for your favorite seasoning blend such as taco, fajita, jerk seasoning, garlic, or whatever combination you create!
Use Different Cuts of Chicken – We used chicken breasts but you could use any cut of chicken. If you use skin on or bone in pieces you will need to adjust the cooking time and check for doneness with a meat thermometer.
Top it Off – Top the cooked chicken with melted cheese, bacon or any of your favorite toppings.

Budget-Friendly Tips

Buy Chicken in Bulk – Stock up on chicken when it is on sale or buy it in bulk and store it in the freezer.
Freeze Leftover Cornflakes – Don’t waste any of the cornflakes! Place unused cornflakes into a freezer bag and pop them in the freezer. They will keep well for about 6 months, so you can make this recipe over and over.
Make Ranch Seasoning – It’s not difficult to make homemade ranch seasoning with a few spices and seasonings.
Use Leftovers – Leftover chicken can be served over a salad or in a wrap for a flavorful lunch.
Make it a Meal – Serve the chicken with rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes and steamed veggies or a salad to make it a complete meal.

sliced baked chicken breast in a bowl with some salad

Make Ahead And Storage

Prep Ahead – Prepare the cornflake and ranch mixture in advance for easy prep or freeze the chicken for later.
Store – Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze – This ranch chicken recipe freezes well before and after it’s baked. Place the chicken breasts on a sheet pan and flash freeze for 1-2 hours. Put the frozen breasts into a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to three months. Note: If you freeze pre-baked chicken, it may not be as crispy when reheated.
Reheat – Thaw out as many pieces of chicken that you need. Bake uncooked chicken according to the recipe. To reheat previously cooked chicken, bake at 400F for 5 minutes or until heated through.

FAQs

Can You Make This With Bone-In Chicken?

Boneless, skinless chicken breast is convenient and cooks fast. We always have chicken breast in our freezer. Bone-in chicken is flavorful and will retain more moisture so it’s a good choice if you love super juicy chicken. Bone-in chicken will take longer to cook so be sure to check for doneness with a meat thermometer.

Can I Make Homemade Ranch Seasoning?

It is easy to make homemade seasoning. Ranch seasoning is usually a blend of onion powder, onion flakes, dill, parsley, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and dried chives. You probably have all of these ingredients in your pantry.

close up of baked chicken breast with cornflake crumbs around it

Serving Suggestions

Instant Pot Red Potatoes.
Foil Pack Grilled Red Potatoes.
Chipotle Copycat Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice.

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Weight Watchers Points

There are 4 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

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Did you make this recipe? Then I would love to hear how it turned out. Please leave a comment and star rating below. And I really appreciate you sharing this recipe with your family and friends. Enjoy every mouthful 😊🍲 – Bintu

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