This 4-Ingredient Cheesy Ranch Chicken Is the Perfect Weeknight Meal (2024)

Parmesan-Ranch Pan RollsMom taught me this easy recipe, which is perfect for feeding a crowd. There is never a crumb left over. Mom used her own bread dough, but using frozen dough is my shortcut. I make a wheat bread dough version with poppy and sesame seeds that’s popular, too. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, IdahoGo to Recipe

Bacon-Chicken Club PizzaA chicken club pizza topped with lettuce, tomatoes and dressing? You’re in for a treat! Vegetables give the cheesy crust a cool crunch. —Debbie Reid, Clearwater, Florida

Zucchini FrittersOne day I wanted to serve zucchini as a side dish—but I didn't have the time to slice and deep-fry it. So I came up with these fritters instead! They go especially well with barbecued ribs or pork chops and corn on the cob. —Mary Dixson, Catlin, Illinois

Ranch Pigs in a BlanketWho knew you could amp up the fun factor for pigs in a blanket? Sprinkle ranch seasoning on top before you bake. And if you still can't get enough of that tang, dip 'em in ranch dressing before you take a bite. Holy cow, it's good! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Slow-Cooker Mashed PotatoesSour cream and cream cheese give richness to these smooth make-ahead potatoes. They are wonderful for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner since there's no last-minute mashing required. —Trudy Vincent, Valles Mines, Missouri

Bacon Cheddar DipGive this bacon dip a try if you're looking for a deliciously different dip to serve with crackers, potato chips or vegetables. Ranch salad dressing adds a little zest. —Kathy Westendorf, Westgate, Iowa

Skillet Ranch Beef and MacaroniYou'd be hard-pressed to find easier comfort food made from scratch. Our secret ingredient: ranch dressing seasoning. It takes the flavor over the top. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Beer DipRanch dressing mix flavors this easy dip packed with shredded cheese. It's perfect paired with pretzels. Be forewarned, though—it's hard to stop eating once you've started! The beer cheese dip can be made with any type of beer, including nonalcoholic. I've taken it to many parties and I am always asked for the recipe. —Michelle Long, New Castle, Colorado

Fresh Veggie PizzaThere's no need to bring confetti to your next snack-time gathering. Just carry in this colorful veggie pizza that's topped with a rainbow of crunchy vegetables! Guests usually don't even guess this delicious pizza is low-fat. —Brooke Wiley, Halifax, Virginia

Chili Cornbread SaladA co-worker brought this wonderful dish to a potluck several years ago. She had copies of the recipe next to the pan. Now I make it for get-togethers and also supply copies of the recipe. I never have any leftover salad or recipes. —Kelly Newsom, Jenks, Oklahoma

Monster MunchiesMagically transform squash or pumpkin seeds into a spellbinding snack with ranch salad dressing mix. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Pull-Apart Bacon BreadI stumbled across this recipe while looking for something different to take to a brunch. Boy, am I glad I did! Everyone asked for the recipe and was surprised it called for only five ingredients. It's the perfect treat to bake for an informal get-together. —Traci Collins, Cheyenne, Wyoming

Ranch Chicken QuesadillasYour favorite cheesy, creamy Mexican dish gets some down-home goodness with the addition of ranch dressing mix. Can you say "yum"? —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

This salad goes over really well with all ages, and it's a good way to get kids to eat summer squash. —Opal Shipman, Levelland, Texas

Breaded Ranch ChickenA crunchy coating of cornflakes and Parmesan cheese adds delectable flavor to this zesty ranch chicken. The golden, cheesy ranch chicken is a mainstay dish I can always count on. —Launa Shoemaker, Landrum, South Carolina

Creamy Red PotatoesThis rich and creamy potato side dish is my go-to for potlucks. It’s super easy to double, so I usually do. Folks almost always take seconds, and I almost always get compliments. —Shelia Schmitt, Topeka, Kansas

Ranch Snack MixThis is a wonderful fast-to-fix munchie. The recipe makes tons and doesn't involve any cooking. It's a cinch to package in individual snack bags, it keeps its crunch and it's a savory alternative to the cakes and pies usually offered at bake sales. —Linda Murphy, Pulaski, Wisconsin

Crispy Ranch Fried ChickenIt's almost impossible to improve crispy fried chicken. A sprinkling of ranch dressing mix in the coating makes it happen, though. The empty-in-seconds serving platter is proof. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Hearty Taco ChiliRanch dressing mix and taco seasoning give extra special flavor to my hearty chili. Folks will come back for seconds. —Julie Neuhalfen, Glenwood, Iowa

Parmesan Ranch PopcornWhether you need a quick gift idea or yummy munchies for movie night, we've got you covered with this cheesy twist on regular popped popcorn. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Ranch Chicken FajitasGive sizzling chicken fajitas a tangy twist by adding ranch dressing mix to the marinade. They have so much flavor, it's almost hard to believe how quickly they come together! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Flavorful Pot RoastOn hectic days, this is so quick and easy to prep! Convenient packages of dressing and gravy combine to create a sauce worthy of a fall-apart roast. For a filling meal-in-one, serve with mashed potatoes and ladle the juices over top.—Arlene Butler, Ogden, Utah

Mini Party BurgersWe love finger foods in the South. For parties, I make mini burgers in advance and then wrap them in pastry, bake them and serve them with assorted sauces. —Monica Flatford, Knoxville, Tennessee

Cayenne PretzelsThese spicy pretzels were a huge hit at my daughter's graduation party. The longer they sit, the spicier they get! —Gayle Zebo, Warren, Pennsylvania

Veggie Ranch Tortilla PinwheelsThese terrific bite-size appetizers are always a hit wherever I take them. They're easy to make ahead of time, and are a great addition to other party fare! —Lori Kostecki, Wausau, Wisconsin

Ranch Scalloped PotatoesHow could creamy scalloped potatoes possibly get any better? We’ll tell you: Add ranch dressing mix to the cheesy sauce and watch as your family dives back in for seconds. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Snack CrackersOur 13-year-old daughter, Dana, loves to make this crunchy and flavorful snack for us. Her four older brothers finish off a batch in no time. —Sue Manel, Milladore, Wisconsin

Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potato StuffingEvery family seems to have a favorite stuffing recipe. My family and I have been making this one for many years. It’s so delicious that no gravy is required! —Sandra Dombek, Camillus, New York

Ranch Tater Tot BakeThis cheesy Tater Tot casserole is perfect to whip together when time before supper is short. Ingredients like crispy tots and zippy ranch dressing mix make it family friendly and extra comforting. Double the recipe to serve a crowd! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Chunky Taco SoupI've gotten great response at our church dinners and senior groups whenever I bring this thick easy-to-fix soup. I usually take home an empty pot and often get requests for the recipe. The flavor seems to improve with leftovers...if there are any! —Evelyn Buford, Belton, Missouri

Southwestern Eggs Benedict with Avocado SauceI frequently make this spicy spinoff of classic eggs Benedict for my husband, who loves breakfast. I like the heat from the jalapenos and also that the avocado sauce is a healthier substitute for the usual hollandaise sauce. —Kara Scow, McKinney, Texas

Beef Stroganoff SandwichesFor an American take on classic Russian comfort food, we turn beef Stroganoff into a sandwich. It comes together fast, and our family devours it. —Alison Garcia, Beatrice, Nebraska

Slow-Cooked Ranch PotatoesEven after seven years, my family still asks for this tasty potato and bacon dish. Try it once and I'll bet your family will be hooked, too. —Lynn Ireland, Lebanon, Wisconsin

Ranch-Glazed Baby CarrotsThere's no need to dip these flavor-packed carrots in a creamy dip—they're already sauteed in delicious ranch dressing mix. You and your crew will love 'em! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Shredded Pork BurritosThis pork roast is slow-cooked with savory and sweet ingredients, including a can of cola, to create tender shredded pork burritos. A tomatillo sauce, made easy with a dressing mix, tops the pork for an out-of-this-world entree. —Katherine Nelson, Centerville, Utah

Buffalo Wing BitesThe Buffalo wing fans in my family were happy to do the taste testing as I was experimenting to create these zingy snacks. This version was the winner! —Jasey McBurnett, Rock Springs, Wyoming

Christmas Party Pinwheels'Tis the season for easy make-ahead appetizers like these. They look so special and pretty that folks can't resist them! The refreshing flavor of ranch dressing and crisp colorful vegetables makes these pinwheels a pleasure to serve. —Janis Plourde, Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario

Saucy Ranch Pork and PotatoesAwhile back, my sister Elyse shared a tasty ranch pork roast recipe. I tweaked it so I could use what was already in my pantry, and this dish was born. —Kendra Adamson, Layton, Utah

Simple Taco SoupWe first sampled this chili-like taco soup recipe at a church dinner. What a warming dish for a cold day. And because it uses packaged seasonings with several cans of vegetables, it's a snap to prepare. —Glenda Taylor, Sand Springs, Oklahoma

Jalapeno Ranch DipRanch dressing got its start on a real dude ranch in California. Punch up the western original with green salsa, green chiles, jalapenos and cilantro for more color and spice. Serve the dip along with your favorite wings to feed a crowd. —Lindsay Duke, Goodrich, Texas

Spinach Dip in a Bread BowlWhen we get together with friends, I like to prepare this creamy spinach dip. It's a real crowd pleaser. —Janelle Lee, Appleton, Wisconsin

My biscuits won the prize for best quick bread at my county fair. One of the judges liked them so much, she asked for the recipe! These buttery, savory biscuits go with just about anything. —Gloria Jarrett, Loveland, Ohio

Dilly PretzelsThis savory snack shapes up in mere minutes and disappears just as quickly. My family agrees that you can't eat just one. That's okay, though—making more is just a matter of coating purchased pretzels with spices. Our children are always happy to help! —Sharon Skildum, Maple Grove, Minnesota

Deluxe Hash Brown CasseroleMy son-in-law gave me the recipe for this hash brown casserole, which my kids say is addictive. It's an amazing make-ahead dish. —Amy Oswalt, Burr, Nebraska

Ranch Cheese SpreadThis is a really crowd-pleaser. You really can't go wrong with ranch flavor and cheese. This delectable dip is perfect for vegetables or crackers. —Jenna Marty, Las Vegas, Nevada

Ranch Potato BakeI sometimes substitute cream of chicken soup for the cream of mushroom. Even the "particular eaters" in my family love these potatoes. —Elaine Eavenson, Moselle, Massachusetts