Baked Ranch Chicken Breast with Crunchy Bacon Topping

This fun twist on a simple Baked Chicken Ranch recipe combines ground cooked bacon and parmesan with crispy breading and ranch seasoning for the ultimate baked chicken with crunchy crust!

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A super easy and tasty Baked Chicken Ranch recipe, with a bacon twist!

Winner winner chicken dinner! A delicious dinner perfect for ranch lovers, this Crispy Baked Chicken with Bacon Parmesan Panko Crust is a simple and tasty chicken breast recipe that's sure to become a family favorite!

One of my favorite easy recipes for busy weeknights, this crispy chicken has the best flavor, thanks to the ground bacon and cheese baked right into the crust!

Serve it up with some simple veggies and roasted or mashed potatoes, and a side of dill sauce for a satisfying dinner without the fuss!

Ingredients

This flavorful chicken comes together super fast, for an easy chicken recipe the whole family will love! Here's what you need to make it:

• Cooked bacon. You can cook, cool, and chop the bacon, or use pre-cooked bacon. You'll need 6 slices.
• Chicken breast, cut into thin strips and pounded to ¼” thickness.
• An egg, for adhering the bread crumb mixture to the chicken.
• Plain panko bread crumbs. Panko adds a great crispy texture to the chicken, and is light as well!
• Cubed parmesan cheese. You'll want it cubed rather than grated or shredded, so that it helps agitate in the food processor to create a coarse meal of bacon and cheese!
• Salt and black pepper, to taste.
• Ranch seasoning. I love the spice blend from Trader Joe's, but you can also use the same amount (1 tbsp) from a Hidden Valley Ranch ranch seasoning mix packet!
• Olive oil.

How to make the Baked Chicken Ranch Recipe with Crunchy Bacon Parmesan Crust

This Baked Ranch Chicken Breast with Crunchy Bacon Topping is made with simple ingredients, and is ready in about 25 minutes for the perfect quick dinner for a busy night! Here's how to make it:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees f. 
2. Cook the bacon and drain. (You could also use pre-cooked bacon). 
3. Pound out chicken breast portions to ¼ thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin and plastic wrap or zip-top baggies (or use thinly sliced breasts). 
4. Season the chicken portions on both sides with salt and pepper. 
5. Add chopped cooked and cooled bacon to a food processor along with the chunks of parmesan cheese, and pulse until well ground, and the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, 
6. Add in the ranch seasoning, panko and olive oil  and pulse briefly until just combined (do not over blend, you want a coarse crust). 
7. Transfer the bread crumb mixture to a large platter or dish. 
8. Whisk the egg well in a large bowl or shallow dish large enough to enough to dip the chicken into. 
9. Dip the chicken in egg, allow excess to flow off,  and press the chicken to coat in breadcrumb mixture on both sides, pressing to adhere. 
10. Transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet or oven safe wire rack set over a baking sheet, and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165 degrees f. (see recipe card below for full instructions and ingredients list).

What to serve with the chicken

This crispy baked ranch chicken recipe goes great with some Creamy Dill Sauce (made with fresh dill, lemon and sour cream!), Homemade Ranch, or just some of your favorite bottled hot sauce or ranch dressing!  

Perfect Side Dishes

• Roasted Baby Potatoes
• Simple Green Beans, or Green Bean Casserole
• Browned Butter Boursin Mashed Potatoes
• Garlic Parmesan Roasted Asparagus
• Classic Mac and Cheese

Tools for the perfect chicken

• A meat thermometer. An instant-read thermometer is a great tool to have on hand, so you can check on your chicken around the 15 minute mark, and make sure it's done (but not overcooked). You're looking for 165 degrees f (inserted into the thickest part of the meat). Cooking time may vary a bit, so be sure to check the temperature for the most tender and moist chicken breast!
• A sturdy baking sheet, and some parchment paper, or a oven-safe rack.
• Plastic wrap or zip-top baggies and a meat mallet, for pounding out the chicken to ¼" thickness. This not only ensures even cooking, it also tenderizes the chicken!
• A food processor, for making the bacon parmesan panko crust.

Storing and reheating

Store cooled leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm through in a 350 degree oven for about 15-20 minutes on a foil lined sheet, or pop the chicken into your air fryer for about 5-1o minutes at 350!

Substitutions and Additions

This Crispy Baked Chicken recipe is easily adapted to work with your personal preferences, as well as what you have on hand in your refrigerator and pantry. Here are some great swaps and additions you can use to make this recipe your own!

• Use cubed sharp cheddar cheese in place of the parmesan for the breading.
• Instead of boneless skinless chicken breasts, try chicken tenders or thinly sliced chicken breast for less prep work!
• Swap the sheet pan for a parchment lined baking dish.
• Use ground crackers instead of panko breadcrumbs.
• Try this recipe with thinly sliced boneless pork chops!
• Swap in melted butter for the olive oil to moisten the breading.

More great chicken recipes!

If you love this Baked Chicken Ranch recipe, you'll love these tasty chicken recipes, too!

• Tuscan Pancetta Chicken
• Honey Harissa Grilled Chicken Thighs
• 30 Minute Prosciutto Mozzarella Chicken Breast
• Chicken a la King

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