Friday, January 24, 2014

Chicken Cheddar Bacon Ranch Bake

This is one of the very easiest but also most delicious things I've been making for myself recently. I'm sure I didn't "invent" this recipe, not that there's really anything to invent. But boy, am I glad it's in my life now.

Chicken Cheddar Bacon Ranch Bake

INGREDIENTS

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup low-sugar ranch dressing
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled (or equivalent store-bought bacon bits)

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees, and rub the bottom and sides of your 9"x13" baking dish with butter.

Arrange the six chicken breasts so that they're just barely touching.

Top each with ranch dressing, making sure that no chicken is left exposed so it won't dry out.

Then, layer on crumbled bacon and cheddar cheese.

Bake for 25 minutes in your 375-degree oven or until the chicken reaches 165 degrees on a meat thermometer.

Chicken Cheddar Bacon Ranch Bake

Chicken Cheddar Bacon Ranch Bake

Chicken Cheddar Bacon Ranch Bake

The result is a big, cheesy, bacony mess that you'll either think looks like the most delicious thing ever or looks like a disaster. (I like to scoop the melted butter out of the dish and spoon it over my portion, which makes it look even crazier.) But no matter how you think it looks, you'll love the way it tastes.