BEST Ranch Grilled Chicken (with homemade ranch!)

Very rarely do I post a single main dish recipe like "grilled chicken" or "braised steak." It's usually an entire meal like chicken enchiladas or a steak salad. I don't know, I just feel like if you're going through all the effort, you might as well have the entire plate prepared, not just a part of the part.

BUT. Let me tell you about this grilled chicken recipe.

There is SO MUCH FLAVOR in every single bite and you get all the nutritious benefits of made-from-scratch cooking with minimal effort and ingredients.

And you know the best part? You can prep it ahead of time to make weeknight dinners a breeze!

Basically this will be your go-to chicken recipe for the summer and your whole family will be obsessed.

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Why this recipe is the best

Simple ingredients: believe it or not, it IS possible to get amazing flavor without processed ingredients like you'd find in Hidden Valley Ranch dressing (like soybean oil, xanthan gum, and artificial flavors).

Perfect marinade: one secret ingredient makes the juiciest chicken you've ever had!

NO ranch dressing or ranch dressing mix: while those options are definitely easier, they're less nourishing and less flavorful. We're making our 1-minute ranch from scratch

Very versatile: there are two different ways to make your chicken, you can swap in any cut of chicken you like, and there are countless side dishes to pair with your grilled chicken. You can also add other flavors like BBQ sauce or parmesan cheese at the end.

Perfect for summer: serve with your favorite side dishes like grilled corn, potato salad, or baked beans (see more ideas below)!

Great for meal prep: whip up the quick chicken marinade and you've got healthy, juicy chicken to enjoy throughout the week in less than an hour!

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Ingredients you'll need

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: the leanest cut of meat perfect for marinating and grilling. Be sure to cut each breast in half so each piece is quite thin (and each has an even thickness) or just buy thin sliced chicken breasts. This makes sure the chicken cooks faster and more thoroughly. You can also use equal amounts of skinless chicken thighs, chicken legs, chicken drumsticks, or chicken tenderloins, but note that cook times will vary.
• Nonfat plain greek yogurt: if you've never marinated chicken in greek yogurt before, your life is about to change. The yogurt tenderizes the meat and keeps it extra moist during cooking without steaming the chicken and it creates the best sear (or grill marks!) on the chicken. This is also how you get that classic ranch flavor without needing processed salad dressing, mayo, or sour cream.
• Homemade buttermilk: a simple blend of almond milk and lemon juice. You can also use dairy milk.
• Fresh herbs: dill and chives to be exact. You could also use fresh parsley, but I found that fresh parsley overpowers the other herbs because it's so potent, so I stick with dried parsley. You will definitely notice a difference between fresh and dried dill and chives though, so don't skip the fresh herbs!
• Seasonings: much more flavorful than a pre-made dry ranch seasoning or ranch dressing mix. All you need is the spice cabinet basics like garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, kosher salt, and pepper.
• Avocado oil: a heart-healthy oil perfect for high-heat cooking if you're using the stove.

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How to make ranch grilled chicken

Step 1: make the ranch dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, almond milk, fresh dill and chives, all the seasonings, and lemon juice.

Step 2: marinate the chicken

Toss the chicken and the homemade ranch in a large bowl with plastic wrap, an airtight container, or a gallon size freezer bag (all of them are great options) and place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, up to 24 hours.

Step 3: cook the chicken

On the stove

Heat a cast iron skillet to medium high heat with 1-2 tablespoons avocado oil. (If you don't have avocado oil, use olive oil and turn down the heat to medium heat. You will need an additional 3-4 minutes cook time on each side to make sure the chicken is fully cooked.)

Once the oil is hot, place chicken breasts in a single layer in the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook 7-8 minutes until at least the bottom half of the chicken is white and the bottom is nice and crispy, then flip and cook another 6-8 minutes.

Top with extra ranch, dill, and chives and serve with your favorite side dishes (see below for ideas).

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On the grill

Slice a potato in half and grease the grill grates with the flesh of the potato. This will prevent your chicken from sticking to the grill without needing extra oil or fat.

Heat the grill to medium high heat with the grill lid closed.

Once the grill is hot, add your chicken to the preheated grill and cook for 5-8 minutes. Depending on how thin you sliced your chicken breast, you might need the full 8 minutes. The entire bottom half of the chicken should be cooked through before flipping.

Flip and cook an additional 4-7 minutes on the other side. The internal temperature should be at least 165°F when it's fully cooked.

For the best flavor, let the chicken rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing or serving. This helps the chicken retain it's juices and moisture.

Top with extra ranch, dill, and chives and serve with your favorite side dishes (see below for ideas)!

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Frequently asked questions

How do I know when my chicken is done?

No matter the cut or size of your chicken, the internal temperature should read at least 165 degrees F on a meat thermometer.

If you thinly sliced your chicken breasts or chose to use chicken tenderloins, each side should take about 6-8 minutes to cook on medium high heat.

Can I make this ranch chicken recipe into chicken kabobs?

Absolutely! Instead of cutting the chicken into thin, four ounce pieces, dice into 1" cubes and marinate according to instructions. Before grilling, slice the diced chicken onto metal or wooden skewers.

Can I freeze grilled chicken?

Yes! Be sure to cook completely and let cool to room temperature before freezing. Keep each chicken breast whole (no slicing) and wrap each breast individually in foil before storing in a plastic bag.

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What to serve with ranch chicken

• The Best Homemade Baked Beans
• Grilled vegetables like zucchini and squash, corn, or veggie kabobs
• Southwest Cobb Salad
• The Best Potato Salad (no mayo!)
• Healthy Mexican 7 Layer Dip
• Brussels Sprouts Slaw
• Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
• Oven Baked Mac and Cheese

The next time you want to make grilled chicken, you have to make this ranch grilled chicken! It's one of my new favorite recipes and it's also one of my most easy recipes.

Be sure to leave a star rating and review if you try the recipe so other readers know how you liked it! You can also tag me on social media @thewellnourishedmama with pictures of your own recipe creations!