Description

This Creamy Ranch Chicken recipe offers juicy chicken breasts smothered in a rich, herby ranch cream sauce, topped with melted cheddar cheese and crispy bacon. It’s a simple, satisfying, and flavorful weeknight dinner with minimal prep time.

Ingredients

Scale

4–6 large chicken breasts (or boneless, skinless thighs)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
⅓ cup mayonnaise (or full-fat Greek yogurt/sour cream)
2 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
1 tsp black pepper
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend)
8 slices cooked bacon, chopped
Optional Garnish: diced green onions, chives, or avocado slices

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Prepare the chicken breasts by pounding them to an even ½-inch to ¾-inch thickness. Arrange them flat in the prepared baking dish.
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, ranch seasoning mix, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
Spread this creamy ranch mixture evenly over each chicken breast.
Generously sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the cream cheese mixture, followed by the chopped cooked bacon.
Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with optional green onions, chives, or avocado slices if desired.

Notes

For a spicier version, add diced green chiles to the cream cheese mixture and swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese. Top with cilantro and lime after baking.
To make a Mushroom Swiss variation, sauté 8 oz of sliced mushrooms and one diced shallot, then stir them into the cream cheese base and use Swiss cheese instead of cheddar.
For an Italian twist, replace the ranch seasoning with 2 tbsp of Italian herbs and use a mozzarella and parmesan cheese blend.
A lighter version can be made using Neufchâtel cheese, Greek yogurt, and turkey bacon.
Ensure cream cheese is fully softened for the smoothest sauce.
Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken is cooked to 165°F (74°C).
Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes for the sauce to thicken.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 chicken breast)
Calories: 530 kcal
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 960mg
Fat: 38g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: N/A
Trans Fat: N/A
Carbohydrates: 3g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 45g
Cholesterol: 150mg

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