Pickle Ranch Chicken Dish (Printable Version)

Tender chicken marinated in pickle juice with ranch spices, oven-baked to a golden finish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approx. 1.5 lbs)

→ Marinade

02 - 1 cup dill pickle juice
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Seasoning & Coating

04 - 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix or 2 tablespoons homemade
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

→ For Baking

09 - Cooking spray or additional olive oil for greasing

→ Optional Garnish

10 - Chopped fresh dill
11 - Sliced pickles

# Directions:

01 - Place chicken breasts in a zip-top bag or shallow dish. Add pickle juice and olive oil, coating all pieces evenly. Seal and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
02 - Heat oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a baking dish or line with parchment paper.
03 - Remove chicken from marinade, discard marinade, and pat chicken dry with paper towels.
04 - Combine ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, and onion powder in a small bowl.
05 - Evenly sprinkle seasoning mixture over both sides of each chicken breast, pressing lightly to adhere.
06 - Place chicken breasts in prepared baking dish. Lightly spray tops with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil.
07 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
08 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped dill or pickle slices if desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The pickle juice keeps the chicken unbelievably moist while infusing it with a subtle tang that makes people ask what your secret is.
  • It comes together in about an hour total, making it perfect for those nights when you need dinner without stress.
  • That crispy seasoned outside with juicy inside is exactly what weeknight cooking should feel like.
02 -
  • Pat that chicken completely dry before seasoning or you'll end up with soggy coating instead of that coveted crispy exterior.
  • Don't skip the five-minute rest after baking—it makes the difference between juicy chicken and dry disappointment.
03 -
  • Buy the biggest pickle jar you can find at the grocery store because you'll use the juice for other marinades once you realize how good it is.
  • Marinating overnight instead of just 30 minutes transforms the chicken from good to restaurant-quality because every fiber absorbs that tangy flavor.
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