Description
This Creamy Ranch Chicken recipe features tender boneless chicken breasts seared to golden perfection and baked in a rich, flavorful ranch cream sauce. It combines a savory ranch seasoning blend with garlic and butter for a comforting, easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for family dinners or weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet (1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken in the creamy sauce.
- Prepare Ranch Cream Mixture: In a bowl, combine the ranch seasoning mix, heavy cream, and chicken broth. Stir well until fully blended and set aside for later use.
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust. Remove the chicken and set aside temporarily.
- Sauté Garlic: Reduce the skillet heat to medium, add unsalted butter, and melt it. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add Sauce Base: Pour the ranch cream mixture into the skillet, stirring continuously. Bring it to a gentle simmer to thicken slightly and infuse the garlic flavor.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet. Spoon the creamy ranch sauce generously over the chicken to coat it well.
- Bake: Transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaching 165°F/74°C) and the sauce has thickened beautifully.
- Finish and Garnish: Carefully remove the skillet from the oven and let the dish cool for a few minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving for a burst of color and freshness.
Notes
- Use an oven-proof skillet to seamlessly transition from stovetop searing to oven baking.
- Ensure chicken breasts are of uniform thickness for even cooking; pounding thinner if necessary.
- Check the internal temperature of chicken with a meat thermometer to avoid under or overcooking.
- The ranch seasoning packet can be substituted with homemade ranch seasoning for a personalized flavor.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables to soak up the creamy sauce.