Description
Baked Mississippi Chicken is a quick, easy, and flavorful comfort food combining tender, juicy chicken with a bold blend of ranch seasoning, au jus gravy mix, butter, and pickled jalapeños. Ready in under an hour with minimal prep, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4–6 Chicken Thighs or Breasts (bone-in recommended for juiciness)
Seasonings
- 1 Packet Ranch Seasoning Mix (about 1 oz)
- 1 Packet Au Jus Gravy Mix (about 0.87 oz)
Additions
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) Butter, sliced into pats
- 1/4 cup Pickled Jalapeños, sliced
- Optional: 1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place chicken pieces evenly in a baking dish or oven-safe pan to ensure uniform cooking.
- Season the Chicken: Generously sprinkle ranch seasoning mix and au jus gravy mix over all the chicken pieces, coating each for maximum flavor.
- Add Butter and Jalapeños: Slice the butter into small pats and evenly place them atop each chicken piece. Scatter sliced pickled jalapeños over the entire dish to add spicy tang.
- Bake Until Perfect: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the chicken for 30-35 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is tender.
- Optional Melty Cheese Finish: If desired, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken during the last 5 minutes of baking so it melts beautifully.
Notes
- Use bone-in chicken for better moisture retention.
- Don’t skip butter; it locks in moisture and enriches flavor.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after baking to seal in juices.
- Adjust jalapeños to suit your preferred spice level.
- Use a tight baking dish to keep juices pooled around the chicken for richer flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh (about 150g)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg