If you are like me, you like to avoid the crowds and stay in on Valentine’s Day to cook for your hubby (and family).  This healthy ranch-crusted creamy baked chicken is such a delicious meal packed with flavor.  The chicken is so tender and underneath the crispy top is a layer of creamy chicken.  Even another reason to love this recipe, it is under 300 calories, perfect if you have been good at keeping your new years healthy eating goals!

I came up with this recipe while eating healthy and losing weight (you can read all about it HERE).  I wanted to create something that was so flavorful and very satisfying, but still under 300 calories.  I also wanted my family to enjoy it too.  This recipe was inspired by another that I’ve cooked before HERE.  As you can see in the photo below, every bite is creamy and flavor-packed, with a little bit of crisp.

Here is the recipe:

Healthy Ranch-Crusted Creamy Baked Chicken
(yields 2 adult servings)

2 medium sized chicken breasts, thawed
20 whole-wheat Ritz crackers
4 Laughing Cow light swiss cheese wedges
4 T. plain greek yogurt
2 tsp. ranch dip powder
salt
pepper
Basil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Start by placing your thawed chicken breasts into a large zip-lock bag.  Take a mallet (0r rolling pin in my case) and start pounding your chicken out so it becomes tender.  Place on a baking sheet wrapped with tin foil and spray with cooking spray.  Drizzle the tops with a bit of olive oil.

Put Ritz crackers into a ziplock bag and crush them until thin.  Add 1 1/2 tsp. of basil and mix.  Place on a plate or large, shallow bowl.

In a small bowl add cheese wedges, yogurt, and ranch powder.  Place in microwave for 10 seconds.  With a spoon, mix them together until soft and smooth.

Divide the ranch mixture in half on top of the two chicken breasts.  With a knife, spread over the entire breast.  One at a time, take a chicken breast and press it ranch side down into the bed of cracker crumbs.  Place crumb side up onto the pan.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Place in oven and bake about 30 minutes, or until juices are no longer pink.

 This chicken pairs perfectly with a side of greens drizzled with vinegar and oil and a whole wheat roll.

Your family will be please with what you cook up for them.  If you are cooking at home this Valentine’s Day, this is a great recipe to choose!

If you like this healthy ranch-crusted creamy baked chicken and are looking for more healthy recipes under 300 calories, you may be interested in my ebook which is full of great recipes.

Check it out HERE.