Zesty Chili Ranch Chicken Recipe: A Flavor-Packed Delight

Sizzling with flavor, this chili ranch chicken recipe brings a mouthwatering twist to your weeknight dinner routine.

ranch seasoning blends seamlessly with zesty chili spices, creating a tantalizing combination that’ll make taste buds dance.

The marinade infuses each tender chicken piece with bold, creamy notes and a subtle kick of heat.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly, promising a meal that looks and tastes like a restaurant-quality dish.

You won’t believe how quick and easy it is to whip up this crowd-pleasing protein.

Serve it over rice, stuff into tacos, or enjoy alongside roasted vegetables for a complete, satisfying meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Calories: 500 kcal

Servings: 5

Chili Ranch Chicken: Ingredients You’ll Love

• Sweet Chili Sauce: Brings zesty sweetness and tangy kick to elevate the chicken's flavor profile.
• Ranch Dressing: Adds creamy richness and herbal undertones that complement the chili's heat.

• Chicken Tenders: Tender, lean cut that absorbs marinades beautifully and cooks quickly on the grill.

• Ziplock Bag: Perfect for even marinating and mess-free preparation.
• Grill: High-heat cooking method that creates delicious charred edges and seals in juicy chicken flavor.

Tools to Make Chili Ranch Chicken Delicious

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for whisking marinade ingredients together.
• Gallon ziplock bag: Perfect for marinating chicken tenders evenly.
• Whisk: Helps blend sweet chili sauce and ranch dressing smoothly.
• Grill or grill pan: Needed to cook chicken tenders with a nice char.
• Tongs: Ideal for turning chicken tenders safely while grilling.
• Cutting board: Useful for preparing chicken before marinating.
• Sharp knife: Helps trim chicken tenders if needed.

Steps to Cook Chili Ranch Chicken with Flavor

• Flavor Fusion

Combine the zesty ranch dressing with sweet chili sauce in a mixing bowl, creating a vibrant marinade that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

• Chicken Preparation

Transfer the chicken tenders into a spacious zip-top bag, ensuring they have plenty of room to swim in the delicious sauce.

• Marinating Magic

Pour the flavor-packed mixture over the chicken, seal the bag tightly, and gently massage to coat every inch of the meat. Let the chicken soak up the deliciousness in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.

• Grilling Perfection

Fire up the grill to a medium-high temperature. Remove the chicken from its marinade bath, letting any excess drip away. Place the tenders on the hot grates and cook for about 10 minutes, flipping occasionally to achieve a beautiful char and ensure they’re cooked through.

• Serving Delight

Once the chicken is perfectly grilled with crispy edges and a succulent interior, remove from the heat and let rest for a moment before serving. The result? A mouthwatering dish that brings together sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors in every single bite.

Customizing Your Chili Ranch Chicken Mix

• Let the chicken soak in the sweet chili ranch mixture for at least 2 hours, but overnight marinating will infuse even more incredible flavor into every tender bite.
• Swap the sweet chili sauce with sriracha or hot sauce for a spicier kick, or use honey instead for a milder, sweeter version that kids will love.
• If grilling isn't an option, bake the chicken tenders in a preheated 400°F oven for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking and crispy edges.
• Pair these zesty chicken tenders with cool cucumber salad, cilantro-lime rice, or crisp coleslaw to balance the tangy marinade and create a complete meal.
• Cook extra chicken tenders and slice them for salads, wraps, or quick protein additions to lunches throughout the week – they'll stay juicy and flavorful for 3-4 days when stored properly in the refrigerator.

Ideas for Serving Chili Ranch Chicken

• Zesty Party Platter: Arrange grilled chicken tenders on a large wooden board with colorful dipping sauces like extra ranch, sriracha mayo, or honey mustard for a crowd-pleasing appetizer spread.
• Wrap and Roll Style: Slice the chili ranch chicken into strips and stuff inside warm tortillas with crisp lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a drizzle of extra ranch for a quick and delicious lunch wrap.
• Salad Power Bowl: Top a bed of mixed greens with sliced chicken tenders, cucumber ribbons, corn kernels, and a light ranch dressing for a protein-packed meal that's both nutritious and flavorful.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare extra chicken tenders during cooking and store in airtight containers for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week, perfect for busy professionals and students.

How to Store Chili Ranch Chicken

• Flavor Locking Strategy: Store leftover marinated chicken in airtight containers within 2 hours of preparation to maintain optimal taste and food safety standards.
• Refrigeration Timeline: Cooked chicken remains fresh and delicious for 3-4 days when kept in sealed containers, making it perfect for quick meal prep and lunch planning.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap individual chicken tenders tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags to extend shelf life up to 3 months without compromising texture or flavor.
• Reheating Magic: Gently warm chilled chicken in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out and preserve the juicy ranch and chili marinade essence.

Spicy Ranch Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Sizzling chili ranch chicken delivers bold southwestern flavors with crispy seasoned coating and zesty herb-infused marinade. Home cooks can easily prepare this crowd-pleasing protein for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken tenders
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) sweet chili sauce
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) ranch dressing

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Instructions

1. Marinade Fusion: Whisk sweet chili sauce and ranch dressing together in a mixing bowl until fully integrated and smooth.
2. Chicken Preparation: Place chicken tenders into a large resealable plastic bag, creating an optimal marinating environment for flavor absorption.
3. Flavor Infusion: Pour the combined marinade over chicken, thoroughly massaging the bag to ensure complete and even coating of each tender.
4. Refrigeration Process: Seal the bag tightly, eliminating excess air, and refrigerate for 2-4 hours or overnight to allow deep flavor penetration.
5. Grill Preparation: Preheat grill to medium-high heat, creating an ideal cooking surface with consistent temperature for perfect chicken searing.
6. Cooking Technique: Remove chicken from marinade, discard remaining liquid, and place tenders on the hot grill grates, cooking for 4-5 minutes per side.
7. Doneness Verification: Rotate chicken periodically to achieve uniform caramelization and ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F, guaranteeing safe and juicy meat.

Notes

• Maximize Flavor Infusion: Marinate chicken for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow sweet chili and ranch to deeply penetrate the meat.
• Prevent Cross-Contamination: Always discard used marinade and use fresh utensils to handle raw and cooked chicken.
• Achieve Perfect Char: Grill at medium-high heat and rotate chicken every few minutes to ensure even cooking and beautiful caramelization.
• Check Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F for safe and juicy results, avoiding dry or undercooked meat.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 1200 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg