Garlic Ranch Chicken Marinade Recipe for Juicy Grilled Chicken

Garlic Ranch Chicken Marinade is a quick, flavorful mix that makes grilling, sautéing, or baking chicken effortless and delicious.

This garlic ranch marinade is one of my go-to recipes for quick, tasty chicken. I use it whenever I want flavorful cooked chicken ready for salads, sandwiches, casseroles, or pasta. Having a container of grilled, sliced chicken in the fridge makes it easy to pull together a healthy lunch or dinner instead of reaching for something less satisfying.

Although this is ranch-flavored, the ranch notes are subtle and blend well with many dishes. I often top fettuccine alfredo with this chicken, but it also works in burritos, wraps, casseroles, and grain bowls. Its versatility and simple ingredients make it a kitchen staple.

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Recipe tips for this quick chicken marinade

• For the best flavor I prefer Original Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix. Other varieties or store-brand mixes can yield different results, so stick with what you like.
• Grilled – My favorite method. Grill the marinated chicken over medium-high heat until cooked through for a smoky, charred flavor.
• Baked – Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Remove chicken from the marinade and place on a lined baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes, flip, then bake an additional 15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
• Seared and baked – Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Heat an oven-proof skillet (cast iron works well) with 2 tablespoons oil over high heat. Sear the chicken until golden on both sides, then transfer the skillet to the oven and bake about 10 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).

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Tools used for Garlic Ranch Chicken Marinade

• Lodge reversible cast iron griddle – a great alternative for indoor grilling when you don’t have an outdoor grill.
• OXO stainless steel tongs – sturdy, easy to grip, and handy for flipping and serving.
• Lodge 10″ cast iron skillet – ideal for searing and finishing chicken in the oven, and excellent for achieving a deep sear.

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• Chicken Keto Soup
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📖 Recipe

Garlic Ranch Chicken Marinade

A quick, easy marinade that adds big flavor and works for grilling, sautéing, or baking chicken.

By Heather Cheney

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Marinade Time: 4–24 hours (up to 1 day)

Total Time: 1 day 35 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons or 1 pkg. ranch dressing mix
• 1 tablespoon garlic salt
• 2 tablespoons water
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2–3 lbs)

Instructions

1. Combine the ranch mix, garlic salt, water, olive oil, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Pour the marinade over 2–3 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a gallon-sized zip-top bag.
2. Refrigerate and let the chicken marinate 4–24 hours. When ready, remove chicken from the marinade, season lightly with salt if desired, and cook using your preferred method (grill, bake, or sear and finish in the oven) until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 280 kcal | Carbohydrates: 6 g | Protein: 24 g | Fat: 16 g | Saturated Fat: 2 g | Cholesterol: 72 mg | Sodium: 2719 mg