If you love the combination of bacon, ranch, and melty cheese, this cheesy bacon ranch chicken is about to become a dinner favorite! Juicy chicken breasts are seasoned with ranch seasoning, topped with gooey mozzarella, and finished with crispy bacon and fresh chives. Even better, everything comes together in one skillet, which means less cleanup at the end of the night. Serve it with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad for an easy meal the whole family will love!
Ingredients
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 teaspoons ranch seasoning
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Chopped fresh chives, for garnish
Directions
Step 1: Cook the bacon until crispy.
First, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the bacon slices. Cook for about 8 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they’re nice and crispy. Keep an eye on them toward the end since thicker slices may need a little extra time. Once the bacon is ready, transfer it to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Next, carefully pour off the excess bacon fat from the skillet, leaving about 2 tablespoons behind. That leftover bacon grease adds a ton of flavor to the chicken, so there’s no need to wash the pan just yet!
Step 2: Season and cook the chicken.
While the bacon cools, season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Return the skillet to medium-high heat and add the chicken to the warm bacon fat. Let the chicken cook for about 6 minutes on the first side, then flip and cook for another 6 minutes, or until it’s golden brown and cooked through. The exact timing will depend on the thickness of your chicken, so check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F before moving on.
Step 3: Add the ranch seasoning and mozzarella.
Once the chicken is cooked, reduce the heat to medium and sprinkle the ranch seasoning evenly over the chicken breasts. Then, top each piece with the shredded mozzarella cheese. Cover the skillet with a lid and let everything cook for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, gooey, and bubbling. This gives the ranch seasoning time to flavor the chicken while the mozzarella melts into a delicious cheesy topping.
Step 4: Finish with bacon and chives.
Now for the best part! Crumble the cooked bacon into small pieces and sprinkle it over the cheesy chicken. Add the chopped fresh chives on top for a little color and a fresh finishing touch.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy!
Finally, transfer the chicken to plates and serve it while the cheese is still warm and melty. Pair it with roasted broccoli, green beans, baked potatoes, or your favorite side dish for a simple, satisfying dinner.
And that’s it! With crispy bacon, creamy melted cheese, and plenty of ranch flavor, this easy cheesy bacon ranch chicken is a delicious way to make an ordinary weeknight dinner feel a little more special.
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