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Chicken in Italian Dressing Recipe


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5 from 1 review

  • Author: Maxine Dubois
  • Total Time: 3 Hours
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This Chicken in Italian Dressing (Oven or Air Fryer) is made with bone in chicken thighs, a bottle of italian dressing, onions, and lemons.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in chicken thighs
  • 1 bottle of Italian dressing
  • 1 yellow onion, quartered
  • 1 lemon, quartered
  • 3 garlic cloves, smashed
  • Salt and pepper, as desired

Instructions

  1. In a Ziplock bag or bowl, toss the chicken, Italian dressing, onion and lemon. Marinate for 2 hours in the refrigerator. 
  2. For the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Air fry for 20 minutes, flipping once halfway, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  3. For the oven: Preheat oven to 400°F. Add the chicken, onion, lemons slices, and garlic on a prepared tray.  Bake for 45 minutes, flipping once halfway, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Broil for an extra 3-6 minutes, until the skin is crispy.
  4. For the grill: Preheat the grill to medium high. Add the chicken, onions, garlic and lemon slices into an aluminum pan. Pour the Italian dressing over everything.  Place the whole pan and its contents into the grill and close for 45 minutes. For the last 6 minutes, take the chicken out and cook on the actual grill for 3 minutes on each side. Reserve the juice.
  5. Serve the chicken with the juice and caramelized onion on top. 

Notes

  • Marinate for longer: For maximum flavor, allow the chicken to marinate in the Italian dressing for at least 30 minutes, but preferably for several hours or overnight. This will help the flavors to penetrate the chicken and result in a more flavorful dish.
  • Don't skimp on the dressing: The Italian dressing is the key flavor component of this dish, so use a good quality Italian dressing with a flavor profile that you enjoy. You can use store-bought Italian dressing or make your own homemade Italian dressing for a more customized flavor.
  • Season with additional herbs and spices: While the Italian dressing provides plenty of flavor, you can enhance it further by adding additional herbs and spices to the marinade, such as minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, crushed red pepper flakes, or grated Parmesan cheese. Adjust the seasoning to your taste preferences.
  • Don't overcook the chicken: Overcooked chicken can be dry and tough. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption, and avoid overcooking.
  • Let the chicken rest: Allow the cooked chicken to rest for a few minutes before cutting into it. This helps to retain the juices and ensures a more moist and flavorful result.
  • Grill or bake for variety: While this recipe is typically baked in the oven, you can also grill the chicken for a different flavor profile. Simply grill the marinated chicken over medium heat until cooked through, flipping halfway through, for a delicious grilled Italian Dressing Chicken.
  • Prep Time: 2 Hours
  • Cook Time: 1 Hour
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 134.4
  • Sugar: 4.4 g
  • Sodium: 914.6 mg
  • Fat: 1.6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 7.3 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 20.6 g
  • Cholesterol: 51.3 mg