Ranch Dressing Melt-in-your-Mouth Chicken with Red Onions
๐ Cook Time: 20 minutes
๐ Prep Time: 15 minutes
๐ Total Time: 35 minutes
Description:
This dish is a beloved staple in our household, a go-to recipe for its incredibly tender chicken and delightful flavors. Marinating the chicken overnight is the secret to its succulence, though it can still be prepared in the morning for a slightly less intense flavor. The red onions add a perfect complementary touch to the dish, enhancing its overall appeal.
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 red onions
- 3 tablespoons lemon pepper
- 2 slices bacon
- 1 bottle ranch dressing
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 289.4
- Fat Content: 16.9g
- Saturated Fat Content: 6.8g
- Cholesterol Content: 91.3mg
- Sodium Content: 139.7mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 5.6g
- Fiber Content: 0.8g
- Sugar Content: 2.4g
- Protein Content: 27.8g
Instructions:
-
Preparation (The Night Before):
- Thoroughly rinse the chicken breasts and remove any excess fat.
- Gently pound the chicken breasts to loosen them up.
- In a large plastic bag, combine the chicken breasts with about 3/4 of the bottle of ranch dressing. Seal the bag and massage it to ensure the chicken is evenly coated. Place the bag flat in the fridge overnight.
-
Cooking (The Next Night):
- Heat oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
- In a separate saucepan with a lid, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Slice the red onions into wedges or rings, about 1/2 to 1 inch thick, and add them to the melted butter.
- Sprinkle your favorite seasoning, such as lemon pepper, over the onions, stir to coat, and cover with the lid.
- If available, consider using Garlic & Wine Seasoning from a restaurant like the Melting Pot for added flavor.
- Brown the marinated chicken breasts on both sides in the skillet until fully cooked, approximately 10-15 minutes.
- Simultaneously, cook the onions in the saucepan until they are semi-soft, adjusting the cooking time if you prefer softer onions.
-
To Serve:
- Plate the cooked chicken and onions, then drizzle the remaining ranch dressing from the bottle over the top.
- Alternatively, serve the remaining ranch dressing in a ramekin on the side for dipping.
Variation:
For an extra flavorful twist, consider this variation:
- Partially cook a few slices of bacon before adding the oil and chicken to the skillet.
- Wrap the partially cooked bacon around each chicken breast and secure with toothpicks before cooking the chicken as instructed above.
This Ranch Dressing Melt-in-your-Mouth Chicken with Red Onions is a versatile and delicious dish perfect for lunch, snacks, or any occasion where you crave a satisfying meal in under an hour. Enjoy the tender chicken, flavorful onions, and the creamy goodness of ranch dressing all in one delightful bite!