Mississippi Mud Chicken Recipe
Introduction
Mississippi Mud Chicken is a comforting and flavorful baked dish featuring tender chicken breasts smothered in ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, cheddar cheese, and crispy fried onions. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 1 cup crispy fried onions (store-bought)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: garlic powder, smoked paprika
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Step 2: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and, if you like, a sprinkle of garlic powder or smoked paprika for extra flavor.
- Step 3: Place the chicken in a greased baking dish. Brush each breast with barbecue sauce and spoon ranch dressing evenly over the top.
- Step 4: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over each piece of chicken.
- Step 5: Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Step 6: Remove the dish from the oven and immediately top each chicken breast with crispy fried onions.
- Step 7: Let the chicken rest for 3–5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle.
Tips & Variations
- For extra smoky flavor, use smoked cheddar instead of regular cheddar cheese.
- You can swap the ranch dressing for blue cheese dressing for a tangier twist.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning for a mild kick of heat.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the ranch and barbecue sauce before spreading it on the chicken.
Storage
Store leftover Mississippi Mud Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through. To keep the crispy onions crunchy, add them fresh just before serving rather than storing them on the reheated chicken.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used as a substitute. They may require a slightly longer cooking time and will be juicier and more flavorful.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Check the labels on the crispy fried onions and ranch dressing to be sure. Some brands contain gluten, so choose gluten-free versions if necessary.
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Mississippi Mud Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Mississippi Mud Chicken is a flavorful, comforting baked chicken dish featuring tender chicken breasts topped with tangy ranch dressing, smoky barbecue sauce, melted cheddar cheese, and crispy fried onions, creating the perfect blend of creamy, savory, and crunchy textures.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Optional: ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Toppings and Sauce
- 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 it’s hot and ready for baking the chicken evenly.
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt, pepper, and if using, garlic powder and smoked paprika for added flavor.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a baking dish to prevent sticking. Place the seasoned chicken breasts inside in a single layer.
- Add Sauces: Brush the barbecue sauce evenly over each piece of chicken, then spoon the ranch dressing on top, distributing it to cover each breast well.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the sauced chicken breasts, ensuring good coverage for melty, cheesy goodness.
- Bake Chicken: Place the dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.
- Add Fried Onions: Remove the chicken from the oven and immediately top each breast with a generous amount of crispy fried onions to add crunch and flavor.
- Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for 3–5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute for moist, tender bites.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness to avoid overcooking the chicken.
- Store-bought crispy fried onions save time, but homemade ones can give extra flavor if preferred.
- Adjust seasoning to taste; smoked paprika adds great smoky depth but can be omitted if unavailable.
- This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently in the oven.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Mississippi Mud Chicken, baked chicken, ranch chicken recipe, barbecue chicken, cheesy chicken casserole
