Description
Mississippi Mud Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make baked chicken dish featuring tender chicken breasts topped with a tangy blend of ranch dressing and barbecue sauce, melted cheddar cheese, and crispy fried onions for a crunchy finish. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner that comes together quickly.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: garlic powder, smoked paprika
Toppings and Sauces
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup crispy fried onions (store-bought)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure an even baking temperature for perfectly cooked chicken.
- Season Chicken: Season the boneless, skinless chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and optionally garlic powder and smoked paprika to add extra flavor.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a baking dish to prevent sticking, then place the seasoned chicken breasts inside.
- Add Sauces: Brush the chicken breasts evenly with barbecue sauce. Spoon ranch dressing over each piece, spreading it carefully to cover the top.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the chicken and sauce layers to create a melty, savory topping.
- Bake: Bake the chicken uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Add Crispy Onions: Remove the chicken from the oven and immediately top each breast with the crispy fried onions to add a crunchy texture contrast.
- Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for 3 to 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute before serving. This helps keep the chicken moist and flavorful.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked to 165°F for safety.
- Ranch dressing and barbecue sauce can be adjusted based on flavor preference or dietary needs.
- For extra spice, add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the seasoning mix.
- Crispy fried onions can be substituted with homemade fried shallots for a fresh touch.
- Leftover chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Mississippi Mud Chicken, baked chicken, ranch chicken, barbecue chicken, comfort food, easy dinner, chicken with crispy onions
