Description

A creamy, cheesy baked chicken dish featuring boneless skinless chicken breasts coated in a flavorful ranch and sour cream mixture, topped with sharp cheddar cheese, and baked to perfection. This easy-to-make Cheddar Ranch Chicken Bake is a comforting weeknight meal that pairs well with vegetables or a fresh salad.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1.5 lbs)

Ranch Mixture

1/2 cup ranch dressing
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Topping

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or parsley (optional)

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the chicken doesn’t stick during baking.
Arrange Chicken: Place the chicken breasts evenly in the prepared baking dish, making sure they are spaced slightly apart for even cooking.
Combine Ranch Mixture: In a medium bowl, mix together the ranch dressing, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Coat Chicken: Spread the ranch and sour cream mixture evenly over each chicken breast, coating them completely with the flavorful dressing.
Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese uniformly over the coated chicken breasts to create a deliciously cheesy crust as it bakes.
Bake the Chicken: Bake the chicken uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
Garnish and Serve: Optionally garnish with chopped fresh chives or parsley for a fresh herbal note. Serve immediately while hot for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

Make sure to use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the ranch mixture for 30 minutes before baking if time permits.
This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh garden salad.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, bake in the oven at 350°F until warmed through to maintain crispy cheese topping.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cheddar Ranch Chicken Bake, baked chicken breast, creamy ranch chicken, cheesy chicken bake, easy chicken dinner