Bacon Ranch Chicken
Whether you're planning a cozy family dinner or looking for a crowd-pleasing dish for a gathering, this bacon ranch chicken recipe delivers a winning combination of flavors. It’s rich, hearty, and surprisingly easy to make, making it the ultimate comfort food for any occasion.
Equipment
- Cutting Board and Knife
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Tongs
- Small whisk
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking dish (if finishing the dish in the oven)
- Paper Towels
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Bacon Ranch Sauce:
- 6 slices of bacon cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
Optional Garnishes:
- Fresh parsley chopped
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Suggested Sides:
- Mashed potatoes
- Steamed green beans
- Buttered pasta
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Bacon
- In the same skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease. Reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
- Melt butter in the skillet with the reserved bacon grease. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Add ranch dressing and Parmesan cheese, whisking until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
Step 4: Combine and Cook
- Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, ensuring they’re coated in the sauce. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the top.
- Cover the skillet and cook on low heat for 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
- Optional: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top and place the skillet under the broiler for 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese and add a golden crust.
Step 5: Serve
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot with your favorite sides like mashed potatoes, pasta, or steamed vegetables.
Notes
Nutritional Value (Per Serving)
These values are approximate and will vary based on the exact ingredients used.- Calories: ~550-600 kcal
- Protein: 45g
- Carbohydrates: 6g (mostly from the ranch dressing and sauce)
- Fat: 40g (from bacon, cream, ranch dressing, and butter)
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Cholesterol: ~180mg
- Sodium: ~950mg
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 1g
Adjustments for Health:
- Reduce Fat: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and turkey bacon instead of pork bacon.
- Lower Sodium: Choose a low-sodium ranch dressing and omit adding extra salt to the chicken.
- Increase Fiber: Add vegetables like broccoli or spinach to the dish.
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment and rating!