Creamy Bacon Ranch Chicken (Printable)
Tender chicken breasts topped with a creamy ranch mixture, melted cheddar, and crispy bacon. An easy, family-friendly dinner ready in under 40 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
02 - 6 slices bacon
→ Dairy
03 - 8 oz cream cheese softened
04 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
→ Vegetables & Herbs
05 - 2 green onions thinly sliced
06 - 2 cloves garlic minced
→ Spices & Seasonings
07 - 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
08 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
→ Optional Garnishes
09 - Fresh chives chopped
10 - Extra shredded cheese
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F and lightly grease a baking dish.
02 - Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cooled.
03 - In a bowl, mix cream cheese, ranch seasoning, garlic, and black pepper until smooth.
04 - Place chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over each breast.
05 - Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top, followed by the crumbled bacon.
06 - Bake 25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and cheese is bubbly.
07 - Garnish with green onions, extra cheese, and chives if desired. Serve hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The cream cheese mixture keeps the chicken incredibly moist while baking
- Everything happens in one pan except for a quick bowl mix
- Leftovers somehow taste even better the next day
02 -
- The cream cheese layer might look thin but it puffs up beautifully as it bakes
- Letting the chicken rest 5 minutes after baking keeps all those juices where they belong
03 -
- Room temperature cream cheese blends infinitely better than cold
- A sprinkle of smoked paprika over the top adds this gorgeous color and subtle smokiness