This Italian Dressing Chicken is prepared with juicy chicken breasts marinated in a blend of Italian dressing, mayo, and herbs, baked to juicy perfection, and topped with melty Parmesan cheese.

 

Ever tried this Italian Dressing chicken recipe that’s been my go-to since college? It’s like the little black dress of chicken recipes—simple, elegant, and never goes out of style. You add chicken breasts to a ziplock bag with the world’s easiest Italian dressing chicken marinade (spoiler: it’s just Italian dressing and mayonnaise) and let it sit until you’re ready to bake. This isn’t just any baked chicken; it’s the kind that ends up so juicy and flavorful that you might want to make it weekly.

We’re talking about 5 minutes of actual prep work in the kitchen and a 30-minute marinate time—it’s even easier than crack chicken! Once it hits the oven, you can go back to binge-watching, laundry folding, or whatever you like. Then, BAM! Sprinkle some Parmesan on it towards the end, and you’ve got yourself a tender chicken with a cheesy, crispy topping that is also loaded with flavor.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Preparing marinated chicken with Italian dressing starts with gathering a handful of simple ingredients. And for those looking to tweak the recipe, I’ve got substitutions that’ll ensure you don’t have to make an extra trip to the grocery store.

• Italian dressing – Store-bought will certainly do the trick but, if you have the extra time, whip up a batch of my famous Homemade Italian Salad Dressing and use it in the marinade.
• Mayonnaise – Use your favorite brand.
• Herbs and seasonings – We use salt, ground black pepper, dried thyme, and fresh parsley to enhance all the flavors.
• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – You could use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead. Bone in breasts or thighs would also work, but you’ll have to adjust the cooking time.
• Grated parmesan – For a richer flavor, I recommend grating your own Parmesan.

How to Make Italian Dressing Chicken

Whipping up a batch of my beloved baked chicken with Italian Dressing is so easy. You’ll only need to follow a few simple steps to make a dish dripping with so much zest that your taste buds will be doing the cha-cha!

1. Marinate the chicken. Whisk together the Italian dressing, mayonnaise, herbs, and seasoning. In a large Ziplock bag, coat the chicken in the marinade. Seal the bag and place it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
2. Prep. Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking pan with aluminum foil.
3. Bake. Arrange the chicken in the baking pan and pour the marinade over it. Bake for 10 minutes.
4. Add the cheese. Sprinkle the chicken with parmesan and bake for an additional 15 minutes. You can broil it for a minute or two at the end if the cheese doesn’t get quite as brown and bubbly as you’d like.
5. Garnish. Remove the chicken from the oven and garnish with fresh parsley.
6. Rest. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 to 8 minutes before slicing and serving.

How long to marinate chicken in Italian dressing?

If you need to plan ahead, you can marinate the chicken for 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. If you are going to marinate it for longer than 1 hour, please put it in the fridge. You can also freeze this in the marinade for 2 to 3 months. This Italian chicken recipe is like that reliable friend who’s always ready to hang out, whether you planned it three weeks ago or three hours ago.

Serving Suggestions

This savory, cheesy Italian dressing chicken recipe pairs beautifully with a variety of sides to make this dish a full, delicious meal. You should serve it with the amazing La scala chopped salad – it’s a must! But try my tomato burrata salad or this Mediterranean white bean salad, which would also make wonderful companions.

Whip up a batch of cheesy grilled asparagus in foil packs or crispy air fryer roasted broccoli, too, and wash it all down with a Rossini cocktail.

As far as bread goes, we can’t get enough of this easy focaccia bread and my family’s all-time favorite, slow cooker bread with basil pesto.

Proper Storage

• To store. Once the chicken has cooled completely, seal it in an airtight container. You can store it in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• To reheat. Allow the chicken to thaw in the fridge (if applicable) before arranging it in a single layer in a baking dish. Cover the chicken with aluminum foil, and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave sliced or whole chicken breasts in 30-second intervals until heated through.

Easy Chicken Recipes

Affordable and versatile, chicken is a staple for many home cooks. Here are some fun ways to spice up your typical chicken dinner rotation.

• Roast Chicken
• Hot Honey Chicken
• Tex Mex Chicken Salad
• Peruvian Chicken
• Crockpot Orange Chicken
• Chicken Teriyaki Recipe