Italian Dressing Chicken is one of the easiest recipes you can make, chicken breasts marinated in Italian-style dressing and baked until juicy, tender, and full of flavor.
Baked Italian Dressing Chicken with Only Two Ingredients
I love making this Italian dressing chicken recipe because it couldn't be easier; just chicken breasts and a bottle of Italian dressing are all you need. What comes out of the oven is juicy, flavorful, and perfectly tender every time. This chicken breast with Italian dressing has become one of my favorite easy chicken recipes because it takes only minutes to prepare, yet tastes like a meal that took hours.
The Italian dressing acts as a quick chicken marinade, seasoning, and sauce all in one. Whether baked or grilled, this Italian dressing chicken always turns out full of flavor and beautifully moist. I've tried both store-bought and homemade Italian dressing; the homemade one with lemon juice and herbs adds a fresh, bright touch. Leftovers are great for salads, sandwiches, or pasta, making this simple dish a true weeknight essential.
Why You'll Love It
- It Only Needs Two Ingredients: This baked Italian dressing chicken is as minimal as it gets, but the result is packed with flavor.
- It's Perfect for Busy Days: Just marinate, bake, and let the oven handle the rest.
- Versatile Cooking Methods: You can bake it, grill it, or even cook it in a skillet, whatever suits your mood for a weeknight chicken dinner.
Ingredients
Here's what you need to make this Italian Dressing Chicken recipe:
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: These are my go-to for this recipe because they cook quickly and absorb the flavors of the dressing beautifully. I like to trim them evenly, so they bake at the same rate.
- Italian Dressing: This is the real star here. I often use my homemade Italian dressing version with extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, herbs, and a little garlic; it gives the chicken a tangy, herby flavor and makes the meat super juicy. You can use your favorite store-bought Italian dressing, such as Olive Garden Italian dressing, instead of making it from scratch.
How to Make Italian Dressing Chicken
You can find the complete printable recipe with measurements below, but for now, here's a quick overview of how it goes:
1. Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the homemade Italian dressing over the chicken, ensuring each piece is coated thoroughly. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 3 hours for the best flavor.
2. Prepare for Baking: Transfer the marinated chicken to a baking dish, pouring any remaining dressing over the top to keep it juicy while baking.
3. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven to 390°F (200°C) and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
4. Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Drizzle with extra cooked marinade if desired.
Serving Suggestions
I like to serve Italian Dressing Chicken with a fresh tomato burrata salad, while crusty ciabatta or buttery garlic bread is perfect for soaking up the juices, and roasted potato wedges add a cozy touch.
My Tips for Recipe Success
Make a Big Batch: I often double the recipe and use leftovers for wraps, salads, or grain bowls.
Storage and Reheat
- Store Leftovers Right Away: I keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge; they stay good for up to 3 days.
- Reheat Gently: I reheat the chicken in the oven covered with foil at 320°F/160°C for about 10 minutes so it doesn't dry out.
Try These Chicken Recipes Next!
Recipe
Italian Dressing Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts - 1½ pounds (700 g)
- 150 g store-bought Italian dressing - such as Olive Garden signature Italian
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the Italian dressing over the chicken, making sure each piece is well coated.
- Seal the bag or cover the dish, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes, or up to 3 hours for more flavor.
- Preheat your oven to 392°F/200°C ( 355°F convection / 200°C fan ).
- Transfer the chicken along with the marinade into a baking dish. Spread the dressing evenly around the chicken.
- Bake, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C. Occasionally spoon some of the marinade over the chicken during baking for extra flavor.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving, drizzling some of the cooked marinade over the chicken if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Anita says
Love this 2-ingredient chicken recipe! So simple and packed with flavor, can’t wait to try it!