Description
Smoky Ranch Garlic Smash Chicken is a crispy baked chicken recipe packed with bold ranch flavor, smoky paprika, and savory garlic in every bite. This easy smash chicken recipe creates a beautifully golden crust on the outside while keeping the inside juicy, tender, and full of flavor. Perfect for wraps, rice bowls, salads, sandwiches, or an easy high-protein dinner, this baked ranch chicken is a simple weeknight meal that looks as good as it tastes and is perfect for Pinterest recipe lovers searching for crispy chicken dinner ideas.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, smashed thin
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Place the chicken breasts between sheets of parchment or plastic wrap and smash them thin for even cooking.
- In one shallow bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth.
- In a second shallow bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
- Dip each smashed chicken breast into the eggs, coating both sides well.
- Press the chicken into the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated on all sides.
- Arrange the coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden and crisp.
- For extra color and crispiness, broil for 1 to 2 minutes at the end if needed.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving plain, slicing for wraps, or adding to bowls.
Notes
- Smash the chicken evenly so it cooks quickly and stays tender.
- Panko breadcrumbs can be used for an even crispier coating.
- A light spray of oil before baking helps the surface turn deeply golden.
- Do not overcrowd the pan or the coating may steam instead of crisp.
- This chicken is delicious served plain, dipped in ranch, or sliced into wraps and bowls.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 smashed chicken breast
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 245 mg
Keywords: smoky ranch garlic smash chicken, smash chicken recipe, baked ranch chicken, crispy chicken breast recipe, garlic ranch chicken, smoky paprika chicken, easy chicken dinner, crispy baked chicken, chicken for wraps, chicken for bowls