Garlic Ranch Baked Chicken Thighs is a flavorful dish that combines chicken thighs with garlic and ranch seasoning, baked to perfection in the oven. Here’s a simple recipe to make it:
Ingredients:
- 4-6 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on for more flavor)
- 2-3 tablespoons of ranch seasoning mix
- 4 cloves of garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: fresh herbs like parsley for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This helps them get crispy when baked.
- Make the Marinade: In a bowl, mix together the olive oil, ranch seasoning, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the Chicken: Rub the marinade all over the chicken thighs, ensuring they are well coated.
- Arrange in a Baking Dish: Place the chicken thighs in a baking dish, skin-side up.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 35-45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The skin should be crispy and golden.
- Serve: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. You can garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
You can definitely use chicken breasts instead of thighs! Just keep in mind that chicken breasts can cook faster than thighs, so you’ll want to adjust the baking time. Here are a few tips:
- Cooking Time: Chicken breasts usually take about 25-30 minutes to bake at 400°F (200°C) compared to thighs, which take longer. Make sure to check the internal temperature to ensure they reach 165°F (74°C).
- Moisture: Chicken breasts can be a bit drier than thighs, so consider marinating them longer in the garlic ranch mixture or adding a little extra olive oil to keep them moist.
- Thickness: If your chicken breasts are very thick, you might want to pound them to an even thickness or cut them in half horizontally to ensure even cooking.
Using chicken breasts will still yield a delicious dish, just keep an eye on them while they bake!
This dish is great served with sides like roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes. Enjoy your meal!