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The Blackstone griddle has become a popular outdoor cooking appliance for its versatility and ability to cook large quantities of food efficiently.
One dish that perfectly showcases the flat top grill capabilities is the Chicken Bacon Ranch Skillet.
This delicious Chicken Bacon Ranch Skillet is an easy, all-in-one meal made on the Blackstone griddle. You can make this recipe on any available flat top grill like Weber, Halo, Traeger, Pit Boss, Campchef Griddle, Loco griddle, or Ninja Woodfire
Perfect for busy weeknights or when you want a meal that’s simple, quick, and packed with flavor, this dish features tender chicken, crispy bacon, and seasoned potatoes topped with melty cheddar cheese.
The Blackstone’s wide, open cooking surface allows you to prep everything in one place, making cleanup a breeze.
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Why Cook on a Blackstone Griddle?
Before diving into the recipe, it’s worth noting why the Blackstone griddle is an excellent choice for this dish.
The large, flat cooking surface allows for even heat distribution, ensuring that all ingredients cook uniformly.
The griddle’s high heat capacity also means you can achieve a nice sear on the chicken while keeping the inside juicy.
The spacious cooking area makes it easy to prepare multiple components of the dish simultaneously, streamlining the cooking process.
Ingredients
To make a Chicken Bacon Ranch Skillet on your Blackstone flat top grill, you’ll need:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 lb bacon, chopped
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers (any color), diced
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Preparation
1- Start by preheating your Blackstone griddle to medium-high heat. You want the surface to be hot enough to sear the chicken and crisp the bacon.
2- While the griddle is heating, prepare your ingredients. Cutting the chicken into uniform pieces will ensure even cooking.
Chop the bacon, dice the onions and peppers, slice the mushrooms, and mince the garlic.
3- In a small bowl, mix the ranch dressing with the ranch seasoning. This will enhance the ranch flavor throughout the dish.
Cooking Process
1- Once the griddle is hot, add the chopped bacon to one side of the cooking surface. Allow it to cook, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired level of crispiness.
This should take about 5-7 minutes.
2- While the bacon is cooking, add the olive oil to the other side of the griddle and spread it evenly. Add the chicken pieces, seasoning them with salt and pepper.
Cook for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
3- Once the bacon is crispy, use your spatula to move it to one corner of the griddle. In the space where the bacon was cooking, add the diced onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms.
Sauté these vegetables for about 5 minutes until they start to soften.
4- Add the minced garlic to the vegetables and cook for another minute until fragrant.
5- Now, it’s time to combine all the elements. Use your spatulas to mix the chicken, bacon, and vegetables together in the center of the griddle. Create a well in the center of this mixture.
6- Pour the ranch dressing mixture into the well you created. Use your spatulas to fold the dressing into the chicken and vegetable mixture, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
7- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the mixture. If your Blackstone griddle has a lid, close it for a minute or two to help the cheese melt.
If not, you can use a large metal bowl to cover the food, trapping the heat and melting the cheese.
8- Once the cheese is melted, your Chicken Bacon Ranch Skillet is ready to serve. Use your spatulas to portion the dish onto plates or into bowls.
9- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Skillet is a complete meal on its own, but you can serve it in various ways:
- Over a bed of rice or pasta for a more substantial meal
- Wrapped in tortillas for a delicious burrito-style dish
- Alongside a fresh green salad for a lighter option
- Served with crusty bread to soak up the creamy ranch sauce
Cooking Tips On Griddle
1- Temperature Control:
The key to success on the Blackstone griddle is managing your heat. If the griddle is too hot, your ingredients may burn before cooking through. If it’s not hot enough, you won’t achieve that desirable sear. Don’t be afraid to adjust the heat as needed during cooking.
2- Mise en Place:
Having all your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking is crucial. The cooking process moves quickly on the griddle, and you don’t want to be scrambling to chop vegetables while your chicken overcooks.
3- Clean as You Go:
Keep a scraper handy to clean any stuck-on bits from the griddle surface as you cook. This prevents any burnt flavors from transferring to your food and makes the final cleanup easier.
How to Clean Blackstone Griddle
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4- Even Distribution:
When cooking on the Blackstone, spread your ingredients out in an even layer. This ensures everything cooks at the same rate and allows for that coveted griddle sear on all pieces.
4 Tips to tackle Blackstone uneven heat distribution
Variations
The beauty of this Chicken Bacon Ranch Skillet is its versatility. Here are some variations you might consider:
- Spicy Version: Add diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for some heat.
- Vegetable Boost: Incorporate other vegetables like zucchini, yellow squash, or cherry tomatoes.
- Cheese Swap: Try different cheeses like pepper jack for added spice or mozzarella for a milder flavor.
- Protein Change: Substitute the chicken with shrimp or sliced steak for a different twist.
Conclusion
The Chicken Bacon Ranch Skillet on the Blackstone griddle is a one-pan meal that combines classic flavors in a satisfying dish that’s perfect for family dinners or entertaining friends.
The Blackstone griddle’s large cooking surface and even heat distribution make it an ideal tool for creating this delicious meal.
The skills you develop—managing heat, timing different ingredients, and utilizing the full cooking surface—will serve you well in creating many other griddle recipes.
I am a writer, editor, and publisher of Grillcuisines.com – an online blog dedicated to sharing grilling tips, accessories, and recipes to encourage more people to get outside and grill.
I’m off to find out the different types of grill foods, their seasons, and how to conduct outdoor cooking properly. I’ll also show you some of my grill-worthy cooking tools & accessories!