As soon as the weather starts to get warmer I started getting all kinds of excited about everything that goes hand in hand with warmer weather. Grilling, picnics, pot lucks, relaxing by the pool. I’m not sure if it’s because I grew up dunking carrots in it, drowning salads in it, or mixing it into my favorite buffalo chicken dip but that warmer weather automatically makes me think: ranch.
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A few years ago I stopped by my aunt’s house to pick up something and see her on my way out of town and, like she usually does, whipped out a snack for us to share while we chatted before I got on the road. The ranch dip I was happily dipping some crackers in {that’s how I roll} didn’t taste quite the same. Naturally, I asked her where she got it and she said it was homemade! What? Homemade ranch dip?!
I grew up on the bottled stuff or the packets that you mix into sour cream. They’re yummy, but they don’t have anything on this stuff. It’s super easy to make with only 6 ingredients and as an added bonus you can pronounce every single solitary ingredient in this one 😉 Plus it’s just as versatile as the packet you can get in the store.
Mix it into sour cream for a thick and creamy dip for carrots or chips, sprinkle it over potatoes before roasting them, mix into equal parts sour cream and mayonnaise for a creamy ranch dressing for green, potato, or pasta salads. Or my new favorite: rub it into some chicken. YUM! I’m heart attack serious when I say that all you need is this ranch dip mix plus a juicy chicken breast to have an amazing dish your family will ask for again and again.
Cook this baby up in the crock pot, the oven, or the grill and enjoy this chicken any time of the year! I love to add it to a salad, mixed into my favorite buffalo ranch chicken dip, or served alongside seasonal veggies. Thank goodness this homemade ranch makes it easy to get that taste of summer all year round!
And since Father’s Day is coming up this would be a perfect spice rub/mix to include in a fun Father’s Day gift basket with lots of other grilling necessities!
What’s your favorite summer food?
- 2 1/2 Tbs dried parsley
- 2 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 2 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp dried dill
- 1 tsp dried chives
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 3/4 tsp pepper
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 Tbs ranch mix
- Combine ingredients in a small bowl and mix well, crushing dried herbs with the back of a spoon to release flavor.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place chicken breasts on a lined or greased baking sheet.
- Sprinkle each breast with 1/2 Tbs of ranch mix and rub into the chicken.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until juices run clear.
by Stephanie, The Multi Taskin' Mom
This Post Has 3 Comments
This was amazing! My husband had previously asked me not to make baked chicken anymore, because I couldn’t seem to get it right (either no flavor or overcooked, or both). When I made this, there were no leftovers. My five-year-old son asked if we could have this meal again tomorrow night because it was so yummy. Thanks for a new favorite!
So glad it turned out well! It’s a great recipe. 🙂
This sounds wonderful. I wonder how it would taste mixing the dry ranch with sour cream on the chicken and then wrapping with bacon. I’m salivating just thinking about it!