Italian Dressing Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe
This Italian Dressing Baked Chicken Thighs recipe offers a flavorful and easy weeknight meal featuring tender, juicy chicken thighs marinated in zesty Italian dressing and baked with colorful bell peppers and onions to create a delicious, comforting dish with crispy skin and savory vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 1 hour to overnight marinating)
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 8 Bone-in, Skin-on Chicken Thighs (or any preferred chicken cut)
- 2–3 tbsp Chicken Rub of your choice
- 15 oz Bottle of Italian Dressing
Vegetables & Seasonings
- 1 Small Green Bell Pepper, sliced
- 1 Small Yellow Bell Pepper, sliced
- 1 Small Red Bell Pepper, sliced
- 1 Small Onion, sliced
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl and season generously with the chicken rub. Pour about half of the Italian dressing over the chicken and use your hands to thoroughly massage the seasoning and dressing into the meat. Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight for deeper flavor.
- Prepare the Vegetables: When ready to cook, slice the green, yellow, and red bell peppers along with the onion. Place them in a separate large bowl. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and the remaining Italian dressing. Toss everything well to evenly coat the vegetables with the seasonings and dressing.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to preheat fully while you assemble the dish.
- Arrange Chicken and Vegetables: Place the marinated chicken thighs skin side up in the bottom of a 9×13 inch or larger baking dish. Scatter the seasoned bell peppers and onions evenly around the chicken.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to allow the chicken to cook through and the flavors to meld.
- Baste and Crisp the Chicken: After 45 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Using a spoon or baster, baste the chicken with the accumulated juices in the dish to keep it moist. Return the uncovered dish to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes, until the chicken skin turns crispy and golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the baked chicken thighs hot, along with the roasted bell peppers and onions for a delicious and colorful meal.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the flavor significantly, but at least 1 hour is sufficient.
- You can use any cut of chicken if desired; thickness may alter cooking time slightly.
- If you prefer spicier dishes, add crushed red pepper flakes to the vegetable seasoning mix.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For gluten-free preparation, ensure the chicken rub and Italian dressing are gluten-free products.
Keywords: Italian dressing chicken, baked chicken thighs, easy chicken recipe, chicken with bell peppers, weeknight dinner
