Buffalo Ranch Baked Chicken: The Ultimate Guide Recipe

Introduction

This Buffalo Ranch Baked Chicken combines the spicy tang of buffalo sauce with the creamy zing of ranch seasoning for a flavorful, crispy, and juicy dinner option. It’s baked to perfection, making it a healthier alternative to fried chicken without sacrificing taste.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tbsp hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
• 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
• 1/4 cup ranch dressing
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• Cooking spray
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and hot sauce.
2. Step 2: Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch if needed.
3. Step 3: Place the chicken in the buttermilk mixture, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
4. Step 4: In a shallow dish, combine flour, panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, ranch seasoning mix, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add cayenne pepper if using.
5. Step 5: Season the dry mixture generously with salt and pepper.
6. Step 6: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
7. Step 7: Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge in the flour mixture, pressing firmly to coat. Repeat on the other side.
8. Step 8: Place coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet, spacing evenly.
9. Step 9: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
10. Step 10: In a small bowl, whisk together buffalo wing sauce, ranch dressing, and melted butter to make the buffalo ranch sauce.
11. Step 11: Adjust the amount of buffalo wing sauce or ranch dressing to taste.
12. Step 12: Once the chicken is cooked, remove from oven and brush generously with the buffalo ranch sauce.
13. Step 13: For an extra crispy finish, broil the chicken for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
14. Step 14: Serve immediately and enjoy.

Tips & Variations

• For an even more intense flavor, marinate the chicken overnight.
• Swap panko breadcrumbs with crushed cornflakes for extra crunch.
• Use Greek yogurt instead of buttermilk for a thicker marinade.
• Add fresh chopped cilantro or green onions on top before serving for a fresh finish.

Storage

Store leftover buffalo ranch chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to maintain crispiness, or microwave briefly if short on time.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs can be used and tend to stay juicier. Adjust the baking time slightly, checking for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely. Substitute the all-purpose flour and panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives to make this dish gluten-free.

Buffalo Ranch Baked Chicken: The Ultimate Guide Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 57 reviews

This Buffalo Ranch Baked Chicken recipe delivers juicy, tender chicken breasts coated in a crispy, flavorful crust and topped with a tangy buffalo ranch sauce. Perfectly marinated and baked for a healthy spin on classic buffalo wings, this dish combines spicy, cheesy, and creamy flavors in one easy-to-make meal.

• Author: zara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Marinade

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tbsp hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)

Coating

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Sauce

• 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce
• 1/4 cup ranch dressing
• 2 tbsp melted butter

Other

• Cooking spray

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and hot sauce to create a spicy marinade. Place the chicken breasts in the mixture, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours to tenderize and infuse flavor.
2. Prepare the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch to ensure uniform cooking.
3. Make the Coating: In a shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour, panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, ranch seasoning mix, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper if using. Season generously with salt and pepper and mix well.
4. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
5. Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge each breast thoroughly in the flour and breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly to adhere the coating on both sides.
6. Bake the Chicken: Place the coated chicken breasts evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and an internal thermometer reads 165°F (74°C).
7. Prepare the Buffalo Ranch Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together buffalo wing sauce, ranch dressing, and melted butter until smooth. Adjust the ratio depending on desired tanginess or heat.
8. Finish the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the oven and brush each piece generously with the buffalo ranch sauce.
9. Optional Broil for Crispiness: For an extra crispy finish, broil the chicken for 1-2 minutes while watching closely to prevent burning.
10. Serve: Serve immediately to enjoy the crispy, flavorful buffalo ranch baked chicken at its best.

Notes

• Marinate chicken for up to 4 hours for maximum flavor and tenderness.
• Pounding chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures they cook evenly.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• Broiling is optional but recommended for extra crispiness.
• You can adjust the spice level by increasing or reducing hot sauce and cayenne pepper.
• Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: Buffalo chicken, baked chicken, buffalo ranch chicken, chicken breasts, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, crispy chicken, easy dinner recipe, spicy chicken