Oven Fried Chicken & a bonus recipe!

The recipe I use for Oven Fried Chicken is surprisingly new and comes from the internet.  It is Easy Ranch Chicken from www.food.com.

This recipe also uses Ranch Dressing Mix.  I decided to make my own ranch dressing mix.  A canister of Buttermilk Powder will make 2 1/2 recipes.  It is not necessarily less expensive, but I know what's in it.  That recipe also comes from the internet.

It is Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix from SimplyScratch.com. As long as you have all the ingredients and a food processor, this takes no time to put together. In fact, I don't think I'll buy bottled dressing or dip very often anymore.  Note that I leave out the sugar from the original recipe.  You don't need it, the buttermilk powder has some sweetness all its own.  This is the only time in my life I've used parsley.  I know, I just talked yesterday about not using it, but the dried parsley adds something to the recipe.

I'm including both recipes, because I think the dressing mix with no preservatives is worth it.

Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix

1 c. Dry Buttermilk Powder

2½ T. Dried Parsley, divided

2 t. Dried Dill, divided

2½ t. Garlic Powder

1½ t. Onion Powder

1½ t. Dried Onion Flakes

2¼ t. Kosher Salt

½ t. Coarse Ground Pepper

½ t. Paprika

¼ t. Cayenne Pepper

In a small food processor or blender; measure and add in the dried buttermilk, 2 T. of the parsley, 1 t. of the dill.  Place the remaining ½ T. of the parsley and 1 t. dried dill in a small bowl and set it aside.  Measure and add in the onion powder, dried onion flakes, kosher salt, pepper, paprika, and cayenne.  Turn on the processor and let it run until all the spices are blended into the buttermilk powder.  Transfer the ranch mix into a jar or container (with a tight fitting lid) and add the reserved parsley and dill.  Whisk to combine.  

3 T. of the mix is the equivalent to one packet.

Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 months or in the freezer for 6-8 months.

Now that you have your Ranch Dressing Mix, we can proceed with the Easy Ranch Chicken recipe.

Easy Ranch Chicken

4 Boneless Chicken Breasts

½ (1 oz.) package Ranch Dressing Mix (1½ T. of your mix)

1 c. Dry Breadcrumbs

2 Eggs

Salt

Pepper

Butter

Crackers (optional)

Preheat the oven to 375°F.  Mix the dressing, salt & pepper to taste and dry bread crumbs in a 1 quart storage bag.  Beat 2 eggs in bowl.  Rinse and dredge chicken through the egg and then place in the bag and shake until the chicken is completely covered. Place in a buttered 13 x 9" glass baking dish. Place a pat of butter on top of chicken.  Bake for 50-60 minutes.

Note:  This works without the eggs and adding cracker crumbs makes the coating crispier. 

Frugal Tip:  Use the food processor right after making the dressing mix to make your breadcrumbs so the crumbs pick up the remaining ranch flavor.