Some dishes are so special, they deserve a spot at your most memorable moments—think: date nights, anniversaries, or even weddings. Allrecipes community member VICKI117 clearly felt that way about Anniversary Chicken. “I made this chicken for 100 people at my in-laws’ 50th wedding anniversary party,” the home cook shared. “Boy, was it a hit!”
With a combination like this, it’s no surprise the dish won over a crowd. The recipe starts with chicken breasts layered with teriyaki sauce and ranch dressing, then topped with shredded Cheddar cheese, green onions, and bacon bits. Baked until juicy and tender, it’s an easy 9-by-13-inch recipe that’s comforting and simple to scale up when you’re cooking for a group.
And it’s not just for anniversaries—reviewers have brought it to all kinds of celebrations. “Made this for a wedding tonight for the first time and it was a hit,” says community member Lori Sexton. “Everyone loved it, and I will be making it again—but for my family.”
If you’re ready to start your own tradition, the beloved recipe is easy to whip up in your own kitchen.
How To Make Anniversary Chicken
To start, brown boneless, skinless chicken breasts quickly in a skillet, then layer them with flavor in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Next, brush the chicken with teriyaki basting sauce and top with ranch dressing, shredded Cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, and bacon bits before baking to juicy, melty perfection.
Praise from the Allrecipes Community
Here’s more proof Anniversary Chicken is a winner.
- “My mom used to make this all the time when I was a kid and I was thinking about this recipe today and made it. So delicious!” —Candice2013
- “I make these with boneless chicken thighs and I bake it all in the oven. One of my favorite recipes! The whole family loves it!” —ToughPrune7050
- “Most delicious chicken dish I’ve ever made. Out of this world. So easy and simple loved it.” —Gigi Rasmy
- “We made this chicken to feed almost 100 guests at a homeless shelter and everyone loved it. It was easy to make and tasted great. I didn’t really make changes to the recipe except to increase the quantities…by a lot!” —revger
- “Aaaahhhhhmazing! It is the best… perfect taste and texture!” —Dee Walters
Make Anniversary Chicken Your Own
- Want even more flavor? Marinate the chicken in the teriyaki sauce overnight for an extra‑tender, deeply seasoned result before cooking.
- Cheddar adds a nice sharp bite, but feel free to swap in Monterey Jack, Colby‑Jack, mozzarella, or even a smoked cheese for a slightly different vibe.
- Skip the canned bacon bits and fry up about half a pound of bacon instead, then crumble it over the chicken for extra crunch and smoky flavor.
- This dish pairs well with simple sides like steamed rice, buttery mashed potatoes, or a crisp green salad to balance out the richness.
- Finish your meal with an easy, crowd‑pleasing dessert like Texas sheet cake, banana pudding, or brownies—because celebrations (and weeknights) deserve something sweet.
