Baked Ranch Parmesan Chicken Recipe

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The ranch dressing marinade is the secret to this recipe that not only adds flavor and keeps the chicken moist but it also helps the bread crumbs adhere to the chicken when baking.

serves/makes:

ready in:

over 5 hrs

15 reviews
12 comments

ingredients

6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup prepared ranch salad dressing
1 cup dry bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt

directions

Combine the chicken breasts with the ranch salad dressing in a zip-top bag or plastic container. Make sure the chicken is fully coated with the dressing. Place in the refrigerator and marinate for 4 hours or overnight.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and salt in a shallow dish and mix well.

Remove the chicken from the marinade, leaving the dressing clinging to the chicken. Roll the chicken breasts in the breadcrumb mixture to coat on all sides.

Place the chicken in a single layer in a 9x13-inch baking dish and bake at 450 degrees F for 20 minutes.

Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and bake the chicken for an additional 30 minutes or until cooked through.

recipe tips

For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of garlic powder or onion powder to the breadcrumb mixture or use seasoned breadcrumbs.

Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or paprika for a touch of heat.

To make the dish healthier, use whole wheat breadcrumbs or a mixture of breadcrumbs and ground flaxseed.

If you prefer a crispier crust, you can finish the chicken under the broiler for a few minutes after baking.

Marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours for the best flavor, but overnight marinating will yield even better results.

common recipe questions

What is the purpose of the ranch dressing marinade in this recipe?

The ranch dressing marinade serves to add flavor, keep the chicken moist, and help the bread crumbs adhere to the chicken during baking.

What can I substitute for the Parmesan cheese?

You can substitute Pecorino Romano or Asiago cheese for the Parmesan if desired.

Can I use bone-in chicken breasts instead of boneless?

You can use bone-in chicken breasts, but you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly as bone-in cuts usually take longer to cook.

How do I know when the chicken is cooked through?

The chicken is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F on a meat thermometer.

Can I use panko bread crumbs instead of regular bread crumbs?

Yes, panko bread crumbs can be used for a lighter crunchy texture.

Why do we preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and then reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F?

Starting with a high oven temperature helps to create a crispy exterior on the chicken, while finishing at a lower temperature lets the chicken cook through without drying out.

Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs just adjust the cooking time accordingly as dark meat chicken can take longer to cook.

nutrition data

335 calories, 15 grams fat, 15 grams carbohydrates, 33 grams protein per serving. This recipe is low in carbs.

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reviews & comments

Mel5152 March 9, 2024

Does it need butter or oil to bake?
- CDKitchen Staff Reply:
  
  No, it does not.
Jessica April 15, 2020

Can I used bottled Ranch dressing instead of preparing dressing from a mix packet? I accidentally picked up the spicy mix packets and don't really like spicy foods. Thanks!
- CDKitchen Staff Reply:
  
  Yes, this calls for prepared ranch dressing which can be either bottled or made from a mix. It just is clarifying that you don't use dry powdered mix in the recipe but rather the dressing itself.
Guest Foodie REVIEW:
February 17, 2020

OMG, This is so freaking good ,I served it with Spaghetti w/ olive oil dressing.
Deb January 5, 2020

How would it taste if you sprinkled mozzarella cheese on top of the chicken a few minutes before you took it out of the oven?
- CDKitchen Staff Reply:
  
  Try it and let us know!
Guest Foodie REVIEW:
November 21, 2019

It was really good and family liked it. It was very easy to make and for that reason I would make again.

See Also
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Admiral Sue REVIEW:
October 30, 2019

This is an excellent recipe! The only thing I did different was bake it at 350 degrees covered for 1 hour. It came out moist and tender and you could cut it with a fork. Everyone in my household loved it and want me to make it again for them.
bre REVIEW:
August 14, 2019

It's in the oven and smells absolutely delicious.
Susie REVIEW:
July 3, 2019

Great recipe! Could the chicken be grilled instead of oven baked? Would the breadcrumbs all fall off on the grill?
deda REVIEW:
March 3, 2019

This is also delicious marinated in creamy Italian dressing!
Nancy REVIEW:
March 2, 2019

Excellent. My husband asked that we have it again frequently. Easy to make.
Gorend REVIEW:
February 27, 2019

I had some pork tenderloins in the freezer, so I thawed them and followed the recipe, the family thought they were great.
LindaW REVIEW:
January 9, 2019

We loved the chicken! Used italian breadcrumbs and also added all the seasoning per ingredient list. Cooked for 30 @450 and 20;@350.
JB REVIEW:
January 6, 2019

Really good. I made it tonight for the family and their plates were completely clear when dinner was finished. They were also quiet through most of dinner because they were enjoying this chicken dish so well. I used Panko bread crumbs and sprayed them lightly with cooking spray (Pam) so that the bread crumbs toasted up and became crunchy without frying them. Also, we were out of Parmesan, so I used Pecerino-Romano cheese instead. It was a great dinner - one that my family wants me to make again sometime soon.
meissler November 21, 2018

Is the Parmesan Cheese in this recipe the kind in the green can or actually grated fresh?
- CDKitchen Staff Reply:
  
  You shouldn't use the green shaker can kind in cooking (or any pre-shredded kind for that matter in most cases). It's always best to use freshly grated.
Grillgirl REVIEW:
November 9, 2018

This is much better made with boneless, skinless thighs. Much juicer!
Zeezee October 15, 2018

Can I use Italian breadcrumbs instead of breadcrumbs and Italian seasoning. Or, can I use both the Italian breadcrumbs and the Italian seasoning.
- CDKitchen Staff Reply:
  
  It will kind of depend on how seasoned the bread crumbs are (the flavor varies greatly by brand in our experience). You could use the seasoned crumbs and just use less of the Italian seasoning?
Tony REVIEW:
September 24, 2018

I am a rebel...I used a SS bowl!...seriously, you don't need salt with the Parmesan...also, place the chicken on a rack and turn to evenly brown.
Aitch September 14, 2018

Recipe DOES call for sage on Yummly site!
Debbie August 12, 2018

Do you turn the chicken over after 20 mts. to finish baking or not ?
- CDKitchen Staff Reply:
  
  No, you do not need to turn the chicken over.
MamaZ REVIEW:
August 12, 2018

I baked it the 70 minutes which was too long, I should have checked the temp of the chicken at 35 or 40 minutes! It was tasty but dry. My fault!
Kay August 11, 2018

Looks and sounds really good. Always looking for another tasty chicken recipe
Tracie June 2, 2018

The recipe calls for sage on the first page and then Italian seasoning in the directions, which is it?
- CDKitchen Staff Reply:
  
  Sage is no where in this recipe. I have no idea where you are seeing that. The recipe only calls for Italian seasoning in both the ingredient list and directions. If you are seeing the ingredients listed on another website please note that this is the original recipe so rest assured that these ingredients are what is called for. We have no control over what other websites publish (but please let us know where you are seeing it so we can investigate).
Danyell REVIEW:
December 4, 2016

I think this grilled parm chicken came out very good.. dinner was great.
simplechef REVIEW:
August 15, 2016

hey this was pretty good! easy too. thanks!
Guest Foodie May 28, 2016

Is this boneless chicken or bone in chicken?
- CDKitchen Staff Reply:
  
  You could use either, just adjust cooking time as needed (test for doneness)

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Baked Ranch Parmesan Chicken Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

FAQs

How to flatten chicken for chicken parmesan? ›

Pound the chicken thin.

Pound with the flat side of a meat mallet, rolling pin, or small skillet to an even 1/4-inch thickness. Set the flattened chicken breast aside and repeat with remaining breasts.

Why is chicken parm good? ›

Chicken parmigiana encompasses everything we love about Italian food in one bite—the chicken's juicy interior, the crisp coating of the fried breadcrumbs on the meat's exterior, the bright and slightly sweet flavor of the rich tomato sauce, and the silky texture of the mozzarella, slightly browned under a broiler.

Find Out More ›

What to serve with Ina Garten's Parmesan chicken? ›

It's utterly delicious and served with a mixed leaf salad dressed with Ina's simple lemon vinaigrette with shavings of Parmesan it was perfection. The other reason I wanted to make it was to test out my new AMT Gastroguss Pan from Yuppiechef.

Tell Me More ›

How do you keep breading from falling off chicken parmesan? ›

Always dip your chicken in beaten egg before coating

Dipping your chicken in egg helps the breadcrumbs, or whatever coating you use, adhere evenly to the outside of the cutlet. You should start with a thin layer of flour, which gives the egg a better surface to cling to, then the egg, then the coating.

Discover More Details ›

What is the best store bought sauce for chicken parmesan? ›

Rao's Marinara Sauce: Rao's is a popular brand known for its high-quality marinara sauce. It is often recommended for chicken parmesan recipes due to its rich flavor and clean ingredients. You can find it at most grocery stores, and Costco often offers a good deal on a two-pack [1].

Show Me More ›

Why is my Chicken Parm rubbery? ›

Overcooking might play a role in your chicken's tire-like texture. Leaving chicken in a pan, oven, or grill for just a little too long can suck the moisture right out and leave you with a dry, rubbery bird. Without moisture, the protein fibers in the chicken become elastic.

Read On ›

Should you pound chicken breast before baking? ›

For starters, pounding out a chicken breast can get the meat nice and even- this means a pounded breast will cook more evenly compared to the awkwardly shaped original. Furthermore, pounding a breast to be more even will thin it out some, which will create a larger surface area exposed to heat.

Show Me More ›

What is the difference between chicken parmesan and chicken parmigiana? ›

Brace yourself for this one—they're the same dish! Chicken Parmesan and chicken Parmigiana are just different names for the same exact recipe. And, with a name like “chicken Parmigiana”, you might assume that this recipe is Italian. While it has roots in Italy (in a way), chicken Parmesan is all-American.

Read On ›

What makes chicken taste the best? ›

Here are 7 tricks to make chicken breasts taste better and even totally delicious.

Cook them right. Most people get scared and overcook chicken breasts, cooking out all the moisture and leaving them tough and dry. ...
Marinate them. ...
Cut them thin. ...
Fry them. ...
Stuff them. ...
Shred them. ...
Use the right pan.

Discover More ›

Why does chicken parm use mozzarella? ›

Chicken Parmigiana's History

Believe it or not, there was not readily accessible chicken in Parma, Italy, so the idea started with thin slices of eggplant covered in Neapolitan tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Discover More ›

How many people does a full pan of chicken parm feed? ›

Half Pan feeds 8-12 people Full Pan feeds 15-20 people.

Learn More ›

What alcohol goes with chicken parmesan? ›

Here are a few red wine options that work well:

Chianti: As an Italian dish, Chicken Parmesan pairs beautifully with an Italian wine like Chianti. ...
Barbera: Another Italian red wine that pairs well with Chicken Parmesan is Barbera. ...
Merlot: If you prefer a smoother and fruit-forward wine, a Merlot is an excellent choice.

More items...

Oct 30, 2023

Get More Info ›

What is the most popular Ina Garten recipe for chicken? ›

It should come as no surprise that Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken is our most popular Ina Garten recipe of all time. But if we had to guess why, it would probably start with the fact that it's delicious, simple, and cost effective.

How do you keep chicken breading from falling off? ›

Place the breaded chicken on a cooling rack (or a platter) and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This cooling time will help the layers of breading ingredients solidify and adhere better after the chicken cooks. Once you start cooking the chicken, be patient and don't flip it over too early.

Learn More Now ›

What makes breading stick? ›

But taking the extra time to soak your meat in buttermilk and let the flour set will ensure that your breading is fully adhered for the perfect breaded pork chops or breaded chicken.

Know More ›

Will breading stick without egg? ›

THE BOTTOM LINE: We recommend using heavy cream when breading foods if you cannot use eggs. CREAM IS BEST: If you can't use eggs, use heavy cream to hold breading in place.

Explore More ›

Baked Ranch Parmesan Chicken Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)