Crispy Grilled Chicken Recipe

Crispy Ranch-Parmesan Crusted Grilled Chicken Recipe

Chicken gets a delightful makeover with this irresistible grilled chicken with ranch and parmesan crust that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

Every bite delivers a crispy exterior packed with savory flavor profiles.

The combination of tangy ranch seasoning and nutty parmesan creates a mouthwatering crust that seals in juicy chicken meat.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike will appreciate how simple ingredients can produce such a delectable meal.

This recipe turns an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience.

The grilling technique ensures a perfect golden-brown finish that locks in moisture and maximizes taste.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for your next summer barbecue or weeknight dinner sensation.

Ingredients for Grilled Chicken with Ranch and Parmesan Crust

For Marinade Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil: Helps tenderize and infuse flavors deep into the chicken for a juicy result.
  • Bottled Ranch Dressing: Adds creamy tanginess and herbal notes to enhance the chicken's taste.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Provides rich umami depth and helps tenderize the meat.
  • Vinegar: Brightens flavors and helps break down proteins for more tender chicken.
  • Lemon Juice: Adds zesty freshness and helps balance the overall marinade profile.
  • Minced Garlic: Introduces robust, aromatic flavor that complements the chicken.
  • Pepper: Brings subtle heat and rounds out the marinade's seasoning.
For Protein Base:
  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Select fresh, plump cuts with minimal visible fat for optimal grilling results.
For Cheese and Topping Components:
  • Provolone Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Melt beautifully, creating a golden, crispy exterior with rich, savory notes.
  • Panko Bread Crumbs: Provide crunchy texture and help create a delightful golden crust.
  • Garlic Salt: Intensifies flavor and helps season the crispy topping.
  • Melted Butter: Helps bind the crumb topping and adds richness to the final dish.
For Ranch Spread:
  • Bottled Ranch Dressing: Adds creamy, herbal layer to complement the chicken.
  • Grated Parmesan Cheese: Introduces nutty, salty dimension to the spread.

Prep Tools for Grilled Chicken with Ranch and Parmesan Crust

  • Grill: Essential for cooking chicken with perfect char marks and smoky flavor.
  • Mixing bowls: Needed for preparing marinade, ranch spread, and Parmesan crumb topping.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Whisk: Great for blending marinade and ranch spread smoothly.
  • Oven-safe dish: Necessary for broiling chicken with cheese and crumb topping.
  • Cutting board: Used for preparing ingredients and handling chicken.
  • Sharp knife: Helps with chicken preparation and ingredient chopping.
  • Broiler: Perfect for melting cheese and browning crumb topping.
  • Tongs: Helpful for handling chicken on the grill and transferring to baking dish.
  • Cheese grater: Used for shredding Parmesan cheese.

Cooking Instructions for Ranch & Parmesan Chicken

Zesty Ranch Parmesan Chicken Feast

  • Flavor Infusion Soak

Let the chicken absorb a tangy marinade that transforms ordinary poultry into a mouthwatering delight. The liquid blend will tenderize and enhance every single bite, ensuring maximum taste excitement.

  • Grill Master Performance

Carefully cook the chicken on a hot grill, creating beautiful char marks and sealing in all those delicious juices. Watch for perfect golden-brown coloration that signals incredible flavor development.

  • Creamy Ranch Transformation

Craft a luxurious spread combining rich ranch and nutty Parmesan cheese. This magical mixture will elevate the chicken from simple protein to gourmet experience.

  • Crispy Crumb Crown

Develop a crunchy topping blending bread crumbs, garlic essence, and cheese. This textural masterpiece adds irresistible depth and excitement to each chicken portion.

  • Final Broiler Brilliance

Complete the culinary journey by melting provolone and toasting the crumb layer under intense broiler heat. The result? A spectacular golden-brown crust that promises incredible flavor in every single bite.

Tips to Perfect Ranch Parmesan Crust

  • Flavor Boosting Marinades: Experiment with different marinade bases like buttermilk, lemon juice, or Italian dressing to infuse extra moisture and tang into your chicken.
  • Cheese Swap Trick: Replace provolone with mozzarella or swiss for a different melty cheese experience that still complements the ranch and Parmesan perfectly.
  • Low-Carb Alternative: Swap traditional bread crumbs with crushed pork rinds or almond flour to create a crispy topping that's keto-friendly and lower in carbohydrates.
  • Grilling Pro Tip: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally, preventing overcooking while guaranteeing food safety and juicy texture.
  • Herb Enhancement: Add fresh chopped herbs like parsley, chives, or basil to the ranch spread for a bright, garden-fresh flavor that elevates the entire dish.

Serving Grilled Ranch Parmesan Chicken

  • Backyard BBQ Delight: Host a summer gathering and serve this grilled chicken with colorful garden salads and fresh corn on the cob for a complete meal that will impress your friends and family.
  • Elegant Dinner Plate: Pair the chicken with roasted asparagus and wild rice pilaf to create a sophisticated dinner presentation that looks restaurant-worthy and tastes incredible.
  • Meal Prep Champion: Slice leftover chicken and store in airtight containers with extra Parmesan crumb topping for easy lunch options during the week, perfect for work or school meals.
  • Picnic Perfect Protein: Pack cooled chicken pieces in portable containers for outdoor adventures, transforming this recipe into a delicious protein-packed option for hiking, beach days, or park outings.

How to Keep Chicken with Ranch Crust Fresh

  • Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover grilled chicken in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Sealed containers keep chicken fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, maintaining optimal taste and texture.
  • Quick Freezing Technique: Wrap individual chicken portions in freezer-safe plastic wrap, then place in heavy-duty freezer bags. Frozen chicken remains delicious for up to 4 months, perfect for future meal planning and quick dinners.
  • Reheating Without Drying: Warm refrigerated chicken gently in the oven at 350°F, covered with aluminum foil. This method prevents moisture loss and keeps the ranch and Parmesan crust crispy while restoring the original juicy flavor.
  • Ingredient Separation Hack: Store ranch spread and Parmesan crumb topping separately in sealed containers. Refrigerate ranch mixture for 3-4 days and dry topping in an airtight container for up to 1 week, ensuring maximum freshness and crunch.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 27 minutes

Total Time: 42 minutes

Calories: 520 kcal

Servings: 5

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Crispy Grilled Chicken Recipe

Crispy Grilled Chicken


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4.8 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 42 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Succulent grilled chicken with ranch and parmesan crust delivers bold Mediterranean flavors in simple home cooking. Crispy parmesan coating and zesty ranch seasoning create an irresistible meal you can savor with family and friends.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 chicken breasts, boneless skinless (pounded to 0.75 inch thickness)
  • 1 cup provolone cheese, shredded
  • ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • ½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) olive oil
  • ½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) ranch dressing, bottled
  • 3 tbsps (45 ml/1.5 fl oz) Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml/0.5 fl oz) garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp (5 ml/0.17 fl oz) vinegar
  • 1 tsp (5 ml/0.17 fl oz) lemon juice
  • 0.5 tsp (2.5 ml/0.08 fl oz) pepper
  • ¼ cup (60 ml/2 fl oz) ranch dressing, bottled
  • ½ cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 tsp garlic salt
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml/1 fl oz) butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Marinate: Thoroughly coat chicken pieces in marinade, refrigerating for two hours or overnight to maximize flavor penetration and meat tenderness.
  2. Grill Preparation: Ignite grill to medium-high heat, creating ideal cooking environment for uniform chicken preparation.
  3. Chicken Grilling: Position marinated chicken on grates, rotating periodically to achieve golden-brown exterior and complete internal cooking within 12-15 minutes.
  4. Flavor Enhancement: Craft ranch mixture by blending ranch dressing with Parmesan cheese, creating a rich, tangy sauce.
  5. Crisp Topping Creation: Combine breadcrumbs, garlic, Parmesan, and melted butter to form a cohesive, textured coating.
  6. Assembly: Transfer grilled chicken to oven-safe dish, spreading ranch mixture evenly across surface.
  7. Cheese Layer: Arrange provolone cheese atop ranch spread, enabling smooth melting process.
  8. Crispy Finish: Generously distribute Parmesan crumb mixture over cheese, ensuring complete coverage.
  9. Broiling: Position dish under broiler, monitoring closely until cheese melts and topping transforms into a crisp, golden crust.
  10. Serving: Allow chicken to rest briefly, preserving internal moisture and optimal serving temperature.

Notes

  • Marinate Strategically: Give chicken at least 2 hours (overnight preferred) in refrigerator to maximize flavor depth and meat tenderness.
  • Grill with Precision: Maintain medium-high heat, rotate chicken every few minutes for consistent golden-brown exterior and thorough internal cooking.
  • Cheese Layer Technique: Spread ranch mixture first, then add provolone for smooth melting, creating a rich flavor foundation.
  • Broiler Watchfulness: Monitor crumb topping closely during final 2-3 minutes to prevent burning, aiming for perfect golden-crispy texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 27 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 520
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 980 mg
  • Fat: 36 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 33 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

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