Crispy Parmesan Ranch Chicken

If you’re looking for a chicken dinner that’s easy enough for a busy weeknight but still packed with flavor, this Crispy Parmesan Ranch Chicken is a great one to add to your meal plan.

Thin chicken breasts are coated in a crispy mixture of Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs and ranch seasoning, then baked until golden and crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Best of all, you only need about 10 minutes of prep, and the oven does the rest!

Why You’ll Love This Crispy Parmesan Ranch Chicken

Chicken is one of those ingredients we make all the time, so finding new ways to serve it can make weeknight dinners a lot more interesting.

The combination of Parmesan and ranch seasoning gives this chicken plenty of flavor without requiring a long list of ingredients. Panko breadcrumbs give the outside that satisfying crunch while baking keeps the recipe simple—no standing over a pan frying chicken.

Pair it with a vegetable and potatoes or a salad, and dinner is done.

Crispy Parmesan Ranch Chicken

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Serves: 4–6

Ingredients

1½ lbs thin-cut chicken breasts or chicken cutlets
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
1 packet ranch seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
2 eggs
2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter

Directions

Preheat your oven to 425°F.
In a shallow bowl, combine the grated Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, ranch seasoning and garlic powder.
In a second shallow bowl, whisk the eggs.
Dip each piece of chicken into the egg, allowing any excess to drip off.
Press the chicken firmly into the Parmesan and panko mixture, coating both sides well.
Arrange the coated chicken on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
Lightly drizzle the tops with olive oil or melted butter. This will help the coating become golden and crispy as it bakes.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the coating is crisp and golden and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Serve immediately with your favorite sides.

What to Serve With Parmesan Ranch Chicken

This chicken works with just about any easy side dish, which makes it a great recipe to keep in your regular dinner rotation.

Try serving it with:

Roasted broccoli
Green beans
Mashed potatoes
Roasted potatoes
Buttered noodles
Corn
A simple green salad
Fresh fruit

For an especially easy dinner, toss broccoli or another vegetable onto a second sheet pan and roast it while the chicken cooks.

Tips for Extra Crispy Chicken

Using thin-cut chicken breasts or chicken cutlets is important for this recipe. They cook quickly and evenly, giving the coating time to become golden without drying out the chicken.

When breading the chicken, gently press the Parmesan mixture onto each piece rather than simply dipping it. This helps more of that crispy coating stick.

Finally, don’t skip the olive oil or melted butter on top. You don’t need much, but that little bit of fat helps the panko brown beautifully in the oven.

An Easy Chicken Dinner for Busy Nights

This Crispy Parmesan Ranch Chicken is a great example of how a few simple ingredients can turn basic chicken breasts into something the whole family can look forward to.

It’s crispy, cheesy and full of ranch flavor, yet you can have it prepped and in the oven in about 10 minutes.

Add some roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes or a salad, and you’ve got an easy family dinner on the table in around 30 minutes.

Save this recipe for the next time you’re wondering what to make with chicken breasts!