Cheesy Bacon Ranch Chicken is a super simple chicken bake recipe that everyone will love! Juicy chicken–covered in savory ranch, melted cheese, and smoky bacon plus tender broccoli–makes this easy broccoli chicken casserole a delicious dinner option with the veggie already built in to the recipe!
I love this broccoli chicken cheese casserole so much! It’s so easy to make, with a short list of ingredients and a short prep time of just 10 minutes. Then, the oven does all the work!
The result is a moist and tender chicken dish that’s savory and cheesy, with a little smokiness and crunch from the bacon. All you need is a basic side dish like potatoes or rice, and dinner’s made!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Short list of ingredients – Only half a dozen ingredients needed for this broccoli chicken! It’s so simple.
- Cheesy and delicious – The combination of ranch flavors, melted cheese, and bacon is to die for!
- Only 10 minutes prep time – Just a few minutes to put this bacon ranch chicken together.
- Family friendly – The whole family will love it!
Recipe Notes
This Cheesy Bacon Ranch Chicken recipe is as simple as promised! Just 6 ingredients for a family friendly meal.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Cheesy Bacon Ranch Chicken to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You’ll want them nice and thin, so you’ll either want to butterfly them or pound them out.
- Salt, pepper, & garlic powder – Seasonings for flavor.
- Ranch dressing – Buy your favorite or try my delicious homemade ranch.
- Broccoli – You’ll want broccoli florets that are cut small so that they will cook all of the way through.
- Colby jack cheese – Mild Colby jack is perfect for this cheesy bacon ranch chicken. Cheddar will also work if you prefer.
- Bacon bits – I recommend homemade bacon bits for the best texture and flavor.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Cheesy Caesar Chicken– Swap the ranch with Caesar dressing and add a sprinkle of shredded Parmesan.
- Cheddar Cauliflower Chicken Bake– Swap in cauliflower for the broccoli and use cheddar instead of Colby jack cheese.
- Spicy Bacon Ranch Chicken – Use Jalapeño Ranch Dressing to add some heat!
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Cheesy Bacon Ranch Chicken.
Place the chicken in a large casserole dish and season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Spread the ranch dressing over the top of each piece of chicken.
Top the chicken with the broccoli florets.
Add the cheese and bacon, and bake.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure your chicken isn’t too thick – To ensure even baking and that your chicken breasts bake through, either butterfly your chicken breasts or pound them thin.
- Cut your broccoli small – In order for the broccoli to be tender at the same time the chicken is cooked through, be sure to cut it into small florets.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness – Instant-read thermometers are a cook’s best friend! Insert it into the thickest part of the chicken, and if it reads 165°F, it’s done!
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Use pre-shredded cheese – Pick up shredded cheese at the grocery store. No having to grate the cheese at home!
- Use store-bought bacon bits – While freshly made bacon bits taste best, store-bought bacon bits will work well too.
- Use frozen broccoli – Just make sure it’s thawed before you add it.
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this Cheesy Bacon Ranch Chicken recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze before cooking
- Layer the chicken, ranch, bacon, and cheese in a casserole dish.
- Cover the dish with foil and plastic wrap and freeze for up to 6 months.
- When you’re ready to cook it, thaw for 36-48 hours in the refrigerator.
- Add broccoli and cook as directed.
What to Serve with Cheesy Bacon Ranch Chicken
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of ranch and chicken, it will pair well with many of your favorite basic side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
- Lemon Rice
- Easy Homemade Mashed Potatoes
- Herb Roasted Potatoes
- Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
- Best Ever Garlic Bread
Cheesy Bacon Ranch Chicken Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Ranch Chicken & Rice Casserole– Use leftover cheesy bacon ranch chicken in this chicken and rice casserole recipe for a delicious ranch-flavored twist.
- Ranch Chicken Salad– Dice up leftover broccoli chicken and top a green salad with it. Drizzle with more ranch.
- Ranch Chicken Pizza– Add cubed ranch chicken to BBQ chicken pizza along with BBQ sauce, red onion, and cilantro.
- Ranch Chicken Baked Potatoes– Top baked potatoes with leftover ranch chicken and finish with a dollop of sour cream.
Recipe FAQ’s
What’s the best way to reheat chicken breast?
Reheat chicken in on high in the microwave in 30 second increments, until heated through. You can also place it in a baking dish, cover with foil, and put in the oven until warmed through.
How to tell when chicken breast is done cooking?
You can tell chicken breasts are done when the inside is opaque and an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F.
What’s the best way to thaw frozen chicken breasts?
The best way to defrost frozen chicken is in the refrigerator for about 24 hours until thawed.
How much protein does chicken have?
Chicken is packed full of protein, with around 38 grams in one cup of chicken.
More EASY Chicken Bake Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy chicken recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Chicken Broccoli Cheese Casserole
- Jalapeño Popper Chicken Bake
- Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole
- Oven Baked Salsa Chicken
- Cowboy Chicken
Cheesy Bacon Ranch Chicken with Broccoli
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut or pounded thin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons ranch dressing
- 2 cups chopped broccoli florets, (very small bite-sized pieces)
- 1½ cups shredded Colby jack cheese
- ¼ cup bacon bits, about 3-4 slices crumbled
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375˚F.
- Combine the salt, pepper, and garlic powder and season the chicken on both sides then lay in a large casserole dish.
- Spread ranch dressing over the top of each chicken breast, then top with the broccoli florets, cheese, and bacon bits.
- Bake for 40-50 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through (165˚F internal temp.)
- Once done, remove from the oven and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will work.
- Broccoli: Cauliflower can be substituted for the broccoli.
- Colby jack cheese: Cheddar can be swapped in if desired.
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