Ranch Chicken
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Tender, juicy chicken breast is marinated in a creamy, zesty ranch marinade in this mouthwatering Ranch Chicken recipe. It’s not only delicious, but incredibly easy to make!
When my son took his first bites of this dinner he said, “This is quadruple thumbs up, Mom!” So, this recipe was immediately added to our rotation.
Ever since we started making our own ranch dressing, my kids have been obsessed with everything ranch. I figured marinating chicken in the dressing would be a home run, and it was!
Instant download of our tips to cook the best chicken!
Why This Recipe is a Favorite
I love to grill (we share a ton of grilling recipes on our sister site), so grilling the chicken felt natural to me. If you don’t live in a climate that allows you to grill outdoors, it isn’t a problem! Just get yourself a good quality grill pan and you can make ranch chicken on your stove instead!
Not only is this a kid-friendly dinner, but it’s also really versatile. I mean, it tastes great with just about anything, from salads and grains to veggies and potatoes. And it’s gluten-free!
Happy Kitchen Secrets
Here are some mom-tested cooking tips for making this recipe! It’s been tested countless times, and I make it really often, so I’ll save you from a failed attempt.
- Remove chicken from fridge about 30 minutes before you start grilling, if you can! This will help it to come more to room temperature and cook more evenly.
- Let the chicken rest after grilling. Allowing the meat to rest for about 5 minutes lets the juices redistribute, keeping each bite moist and tender.
- Use an instant-read thermometer. Checking the internal temperature ensures your chicken is safely cooked to 165°F (74°C) without drying out.
- Ensure a thin marinade. Ranch dressing should be thin (not as thick as yogurt) for an even coating. If your dressing is too thick, add about ¼ cup of milk to thin it out and help the marinade penetrate the meat.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this simple dinner recipe:
Substitutions and Variations
- Ranch dressing: I recommend making my healthy ranch dressing recipe, but store-bought dressing works just as well and tastes great, too.
- Chicken: If you like chicken thighs more than breasts, use them! Just be sure to use boneless, skinless chicken. The cook time to grill chicken thighs over medium heat is about 6-8 minutes per side.
Other Cooking Methods: Rather than grilling outdoors, you can use a grill pan over medium heat on the stove top.
Another option is to bake the chicken in the oven. Just cook at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes. If your chicken is very thick, you may need 5-10 more minutes. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
For a spicier dish, use jerk sauce instead of ranch!
How to Make Ranch Chicken
This is just a summary of the steps. See the recipe card for full instructions! ⬇️
Jump to Recipe
- Make the ranch marinade by whisking the ingredients together in a bowl.
- Marinate the chicken in a zip top bag or shallow dish. Marinate for at least 1 hour, or as long as 12 hours.
Remove chicken from fridge about 30 minutes before you start grilling, if possible! Room temperature meat cooks more evenly.
- Set up your grill for indirect heat cooking. This means, heat one side of your grill to medium heat. If using a 3 burner grill, heat two elements and leave one unlit. Cook the chicken breasts on the heated side of the grill for 5 minutes.
- Flip the chicken to the indirect heat side (the unlit side) and continue cooking for 15 more minutes, until the chicken reaches 160°F (71°F). Sear the side that has been cooking on the unlit side for 2-3 minutes and then remove from heat.
Tips for Success
Here are some tips to make sure your chicken turns out perfectly:
- Let the chicken rest after grilling. Allowing the meat to rest for about 5 minutes lets the juices redistribute, keeping each bite moist and tender.
- Use an instant-read thermometer. Checking the internal temperature ensures your chicken is safely cooked to 165°F (74°C) without drying out.
- Ensure a thin marinade. Ranch dressing should be thin (not as thick as yogurt) for an even coating. If your dressing is too thick, add about ¼ cup of milk to thin it out and help the marinade penetrate the meat.
FAQs
Store leftovers an airtight container in the fridge. They will last for 3-4 days.
Reheat your chicken in an oven preheated to 350°F (177°C) for about 10 to 15 minutes, or reheat in the microwave until warmed through.
The best way to check is by using an instant-read meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the chicken breast. When it registers 165°F (74°C), the chicken is fully cooked. If you don’t have a thermometer, ensure the juices run clear and the chicken is no longer pink in the center.
Side Dish Suggestions
This easy ranch chicken is great with so many different sides. My family loves it with dairy free mashed potatoes or these golden brown roasted air fryer baby potatoes.
It's also delicious with a side of honey roasted carrots or over fluffy Instant Pot Jasmine rice!
Ranch Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- Grill
Ingredients
- ½ cup ranch dressing premade or store bought
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest from about 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 2 pounds chicken breasts
Instructions
To marinate
- Mix marinade ingredients together in a jar or bowl.
- Cover chicken breasts with marinade in a zip top bag or large bowl.
- Marinate for 4 hours up to overnight.
To grill chicken
- Remove chicken from fridge about 30 minutes before you start grilling, if you can! This will help it to come more to room temperature and cook more evenly.
- Preheat your grill to medium heat on ONE side of the grill. If using a 3 burner grill, heat two elements and leave one unlit.
- When the grill is about 350°F (177°C), place chicken breasts on the heated side for 5 minutes. Flip the chicken to the indirect heat side (the unlit side) and continue cooking for 15 more minutes or until the chicken reaches 160°F (71°F).
- Sear the side that has been cooking on the unlit side for 2-3 minutes and then remove from heat. Let chicken rest for 3-4 minutes before cutting and serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Other Chicken Recipes
If you loved this recipe, be sure to try our other reader-favorite chicken recipes, like grilled chicken drumsticks or air fryer chicken.
This bruschetta chicken is a great weeknight dinner during the summer months, and you can never go wrong with healthy orange chicken!
