Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Take a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper or aluminum foil to make cleanup easier. The lining also prevents the chicken and cheese from sticking to the pan during baking.
Prepare the Chicken
Place the chicken breasts evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. If the chicken breasts are very thick, consider pounding them to an even thickness of about 1-inch to ensure they cook evenly.
Make Ranch Coating
In a small bowl, combine the dry ranch seasoning with the mayonnaise. Stir until thoroughly mixed into a smooth, creamy spread. This mixture will create a flavorful coating that keeps the chicken moist while adding the distinctive ranch flavor.
Apply the Ranch Mixture
Using a basting brush or the back of a spoon, generously coat the top and sides of each chicken breast with the ranch-mayonnaise mixture. Make sure to cover the chicken completely for maximum flavor.
Add Cheese
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the ranch-coated chicken breasts. Press it down lightly so it adheres to the ranch coating.
Bake
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 35 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part. The cheese should be melted and starting to turn golden brown.
Rest and Serve
Remove the chicken from the oven and loosely tent with aluminum foil. Let it rest for 10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. After resting, slice the chicken and serve immediately.
