Chicken, Bacon, And Cheese: The Perfect Ranch Trio

Chicken, bacon, and ranch is a classic combination, but what type of cheese should you use to make it truly shine? Cheddar is a popular choice, with its sharp, tangy flavour providing a nice contrast to the creamy ranch. However, other cheeses such as mozzarella, Colby Jack, and parmesan can also be used to add a gooey, savoury element to the dish. For those who want to experiment, pepper jack or blue cheese could add a spicy or tangy kick.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders

Ingredients

• 12 oz shredded chicken
• 1 cup ranch dressing
• 9 slices of sharp cheddar cheese or Colby Jack
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 1/2 cup cooked crisp bacon, crumbled
• 1 package (12-count) Hawaiian rolls
• 2 tablespoons of butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Method

• Preheat the oven to 325°F.
• Grease a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray.
• In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken, ranch dressing, cooked bacon, and Parmesan cheese.
• Cut the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally and place the bottom halves in the prepared baking dish.
• Spoon the chicken mixture onto the bread and spread it evenly.
• Cut the cheese slices into fourths and place two squares on top of the chicken mixture on each roll.
• Drizzle with ranch dressing and then place two more squares of cheese on top.
• Place the top halves of the rolls on top of the cheese.
• In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder. Brush the mixture on top of the slider rolls.
• Cover the pan with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove the foil and bake for an additional 7-10 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden.
• Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips:

• For extra crispy bacon, cut raw bacon into 1/2" pieces and cook on a stovetop until crispy.
• You can substitute the Hawaiian rolls with pretzel buns or hoagie rolls.
• If you want to add some spice, try using pepper jack cheese or adding some hot sauce.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Grilled Cheese

Ingredients:

• 2 cooked chicken breasts, sliced into 1/4-inch slices
• 1/2 cup creamy ranch dressing
• 8-10 slices of bacon
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Bread of your choice (sourdough or Hawaiian rolls are great options)
• Butter

Instructions:

• Cook the bacon in a hot pan until golden brown. Set aside.
• To assemble the sandwich, spread ranch dressing on two slices of bread.
• Add 3-4 slices of chicken to one slice of bread.
• Top with 2-3 slices of bacon and 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
• Place the second slice of bread on top.
• Brush a non-stick skillet with butter and place the sandwich in the pan.
• Cook each side for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and the cheese has melted.
• Repeat the process for additional sandwiches.

Feel free to get creative and add some extra ingredients like lettuce, tomato, or Dijon mustard. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as Colby Jack or Monterey Jack. Don't forget to serve it with a side of extra ranch dressing for dipping!

So, what are you waiting for? It's time to treat yourself to the ultimate comfort food – Chicken Bacon Ranch Grilled Cheese!

Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich

Ingredients

• 2 cooked chicken breasts, sliced into 1/4-inch slices
• 1/2 cup creamy ranch dressing
• 8-10 slices of bacon
• 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 slices of bread
• Lettuce, tomato (optional)

Instructions

• Cook the bacon in a hot pan until golden brown. Remove the bacon from the pan and set it aside.
• To assemble the sandwich, spread ranch dressing on both slices of bread.
• On one slice of bread, add 3-4 chicken slices, followed by 2-3 slices of bacon, and 1/2 cup of shredded cheese.
• Place the second slice of bread on top.
• Brush a non-stick skillet with butter and place the sandwich in the pan.
• Cook each side for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and the cheese has melted.
• Serve with a side of your choice, such as a light salad or some mashed potatoes.

Variations and Substitutions

• You can use different types of cheese such as Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella.
• Instead of shredded chicken, you can use sliced chicken from the deli or rotisserie chicken.
• For a more substantial sandwich, add some lettuce and tomato slices.
• For a crispier texture, slice your chicken in half lengthwise and use a meat tenderizer to pound it thinner.
• If you want to add some spice, try using pepper jack cheese or hot sauce.

Cheesy Bacon Ranch Chicken

Ingredients

• Bacon
• Ranch seasoning
• Chicken breasts
• Cheese (mozzarella, mild cheddar, Colby Jack, or sharp cheddar)
• Breadcrumbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Olive oil
• Butter
• Dijon mustard
• Lettuce
• Tomato

Optional Ingredients

• Chives
• Mayonnaise
• Cream cheese
• Egg whites
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Canola oil

Method

Firstly, cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Drain the bacon fat from the skillet, leaving around 2 tablespoons. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and cook in the skillet until golden. Reduce the heat to medium, sprinkle the chicken with ranch seasoning, and top with cheese. Cover the skillet and cook until the cheese is melted. Finally, crumble and sprinkle the bacon on top, along with some chopped chives.

For a sandwich, spread ranch dressing and Dijon mustard on sourdough bread. Add shredded chicken, bacon, mild cheddar cheese, lettuce, and tomato.

For an extra crispy chicken coating, slice the chicken in half lengthwise and use a meat tenderizer to pound it thinner. Dredge the chicken in a mixture of melted butter, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, ranch seasoning, and salt. Lightly brown each side of the chicken in a skillet, then transfer to an oven to cook through. Top with bacon and cheese, and return to the oven to melt.

Cheesy Bacon Ranch Stuffed Chicken

This recipe is super filling and has a great flavour. It has a crispy panko coating, herby and salty ranch seasoning, smoky bacon, creamy cheese, and juicy chicken breast.

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of bacon
• 2 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
• 2 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 3 teaspoons dry ranch seasoning, divided
• 4 (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts, 24 oz total
• 4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg white, beaten
• 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 teaspoons canola oil

Method:

Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.

Cook the bacon until crisp, then drain on paper towels. Chop or crumble the bacon into small pieces and set aside.

In a small mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, shredded cheddar, and one teaspoon of the dry ranch seasoning. Stir until well combined.

Slice the chicken breasts from the side, creating a top and bottom, almost all the way through. Open each breast at the slit and distribute the cheese mixture evenly, placing it inside the open chicken. Spread the cheese mix across the surface of the bottom half of the breasts and then evenly distribute the crumbled bacon over the cheese mixture. Close the breasts, folding the top half back over the bacon and cheese.

Combine the flour and remaining ranch seasoning in a small dish. Place the stuffed breasts in a Ziploc bag and add the ranch flour mixture. Lightly flip the bag until the chicken is coated with flour. Place the beaten egg white in a shallow dish and the panko crumbs in a second shallow dish. Remove each stuffed breast from the flour bag and dip it in the egg white, turning to coat. Then move the coated breast to the dish of panko crumbs and coat it on all sides.

Add the oil to a large skillet and place over medium-high heat. Add the stuffed and coated chicken breasts to the pan and cook for about 1 minute until the breadcrumbs on the bottom are golden. Flip the breasts and cook for another minute on the other side. Transfer the breasts to the prepared baking sheet and place in the pre-heated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through.

Serving suggestions:

This Cheesy Bacon Ranch Stuffed Chicken pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Try it with a veggie side like green beans or zucchini, or a starch like potatoes or orzo. A side salad and your favourite dressing would also be a great choice!

Frequently asked questions