Cheesy Bacon Ranch Smothered Chicken
This cheesy bacon ranch smothered chicken is the ultimate comfort food—juicy chicken breasts topped with creamy ranch, crispy bacon, and a gooey layer of melted cheese. It’s a quick, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s easy to customize and perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 4 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5–2 lbs), pounded to even thickness
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened (optional but recommended)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika (smoked or sweet)
- 1/4 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place chicken breasts on a cutting board, cover with plastic wrap, and pound to an even thickness (about 1/2 inch).
- Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together ranch dressing and softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Lay the chicken breasts flat in the dish.
- Spread the ranch-cream cheese mixture evenly over the chicken breasts.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the chicken. Top with crumbled bacon.
- Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly and chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature. Broil for 2-3 minutes if you want the cheese more browned.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
For extra juicy chicken, use organic or air-chilled breasts. Let cream cheese come to room temperature for a smoother sauce. You can assemble the dish ahead and refrigerate; add 5-7 minutes to baking time if starting cold. For extra crispy bacon, reserve some to sprinkle on after baking. Check ranch dressing for gluten if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with toppings
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 950
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Protein: 43
Keywords: cheesy chicken, bacon ranch chicken, smothered chicken, easy chicken dinner, comfort food, weeknight dinner, keto chicken, gluten-free chicken, family meal