Growing up, every birthday I had meant a celebratory meal at Olive Garden, a tradition I cherished. While I often ordered fettuccine alfredo, the real highlight for me was always their salad. The large bowl filled with fresh, crunchy greens, drenched in a zesty dressing, and topped with black olives, carrots, croutons, and a generous sprinkle of fresh Parmesan represented the height of fine dining in my youthful eyes.
That perfectly balanced, zesty and salty Italian dressing captured a special place in my heart. So, when I discovered that my local grocery store started stocking Olive Garden’s Signature Italian Dressing, I began using it in various dishes, including chicken.
This Italian dressing chicken recipe is a favorite of mine because it’s incredibly simple and brings back those delightful Olive Garden memories—and you only need two ingredients! All it takes is some chicken breasts and a bottle of the dressing.
Marinating Chicken in Italian Dressing
Marinating meat is a great way to enhance its flavor while making it tender and juicy. On hectic evenings, I often marinate the chicken for just 15 to 20 minutes. Even this brief period can significantly improve the meat’s tenderness and taste. If you have more time, letting it marinate longer will result in even more flavorful and tender chicken. However, I would advise against marinating it for more than three hours as it might become too soft.
If you’re not a fan of Olive Garden’s dressing, other store-bought Italian dressings like Wish-Bone or Kraft Zesty Italian can also do the trick. These dressings have the ideal mix of tanginess and saltiness needed for a scrumptious marinade. Feel free to experiment with your preferred brand of Italian dressing.
How To Make My 2-Ingredient Italian Dressing Chicken
To prepare four servings, you will need:
– 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2 1/2 to 3 pounds)
– 1/2 cup of your chosen store-bought Italian dressing
Begin by placing the chicken breasts in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the Italian dressing over the chicken and toss them using tongs to ensure they are thoroughly coated. Cover the dish and refrigerate to marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 3 hours.
When ready to cook, remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and preheat your oven to 425°F. Bake the chicken until it reaches a spotty golden brown color and an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by an instant-read thermometer, which should take about 25 to 35 minutes. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes after baking before serving.
Store any leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Serving Suggestions
I often make this chicken as the main dish at least once a week, accompanied by sides like green beans and mashed potatoes. It’s also great sliced and laid over a large salad with croutons, more freshly grated Parmesan, and a bit more Italian dressing. Alternatively, you can serve it over grains like rice or couscous.
As the chicken and dressing cook, they create a delicious sauce. I highly recommend spooning it over your side dishes like mashed potatoes or rice for an extra flavor boost.
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Riley Morgan simplifies health and wellness topics, providing readers with practical advice and insights. Dedicated to empowering others, Riley covers everything from mental health to medical breakthroughs.
