Description
This Mississippi Mud Chicken is a creamy, cheesy, barbecue chicken dinner loaded with ranch flavor, melted cheddar, crispy fried onions, and juicy baked chicken. It is an easy dinner, family comfort food, quick weeknight meal, simple chicken recipe, and cozy food idea that brings bold flavor to the table without complicated prep.
Ingredients
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
8 ounces cream cheese softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 packet ranch seasoning mix
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1/3 cup cooked bacon crumbles
1 cup crispy fried onions
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Pat the chicken dry and place it in the baking dish.
3. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil, then season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
4. In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch seasoning until smooth.
5. Spread the creamy ranch mixture over the seasoned chicken.
6. Sprinkle cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese over the top.
7. Drizzle barbecue sauce across the cheese layer.
8. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
9. Remove the foil and bake for 10 to 15 minutes more, or until the chicken reaches 165°F.
10. Sprinkle bacon crumbles and crispy fried onions over the top.
11. Bake uncovered for 5 minutes until the topping is warm and lightly crisp.
12. Rest for 5 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve warm.
Notes
Soften the cream cheese before mixing so the sauce spreads smoothly over the chicken.
Add the crispy fried onions near the end of baking so they stay crunchy instead of soft.
Use a meat thermometer and remove the chicken once it reaches 165°F for the juiciest result.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American comfort food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece chicken with sauce
- Calories: 548
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 1040mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 41g
- Cholesterol: 158mg
Keywords: Mississippi Mud Chicken, cheesy chicken dinner, barbecue chicken, ranch chicken, easy dinner, baked chicken recipe, comfort food dinner, weeknight chicken recipe