Quick Italian Chicken Recipe: A Flavorful Family Favorite

Sizzling aromas waft through the kitchen as this mouthwatering Italian chicken recipe comes together with Mediterranean charm.

Tender chicken breasts absorb rich, fragrant herbs that dance across every bite.

Garlic and olive oil create a classic Italian foundation that promises restaurant-quality results at home.

Fresh ingredients blend seamlessly, turning an ordinary meal into a delightful culinary experience.

Each forkful carries the warmth of sunny Italian landscapes and generations of cooking traditions.

Layers of flavor build complexity that will make you the star of dinner.

You’ll fall in love with how simple yet spectacular this dish can be.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 4 hours

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 5

Italian Chicken: Full: Ingredient List

• Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce: Delivers rich, tangy flavor that caramelizes beautifully on the grill, providing a sweet and smoky base for the chicken.
• Italian Dressing: Adds herbal notes and helps tenderize the meat with its acidic components, creating a zesty and moist final dish.

• Chicken Breasts: Choose fresh, organic chicken breasts with even thickness for consistent cooking, ensuring juicy and tender results.

• Cooking Oil: Prevents chicken from sticking to the grill grates and helps achieve those perfect golden-brown sear marks, enhancing the overall texture and flavor.

Tools You’ll Want for Italian Chicken

• Large mixing bowl: For combining BBQ sauce and Italian dressing.
• Sealable plastic bag or large dish: To marinate chicken evenly.
• Measuring cup: For precise sauce measurements.
• Tongs: To safely turn chicken on the grill.
• Meat thermometer: Ensures chicken reaches safe internal temperature.
• Grill: Provides perfect cooking surface for chicken.

Cooking Instructions for Tender Italian Chicken

• Flavor Fusion

Blend Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce with Italian dressing in a mixing bowl, creating a tangy marinade that will transform ordinary chicken into a mouthwatering meal.

• Chicken Bath

Nestle chicken breasts into a large sealable bag or dish, then lovingly drench them with the zesty marinade. Let the chicken soak up all those delicious flavors in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.

• Grill Preparation

Fire up the grill to a sizzling medium-high heat and lightly coat the grate with oil to prevent sticking and ensure beautiful grill marks.

• Cooking Magic

Place the marinated chicken on the grill, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking. Grill until the chicken is perfectly cooked through and reaches a safe internal temperature, revealing a juicy and flavorful centerpiece.

Herbs, Cheese & Sauce Options to Explore

• Ensure even coating by massaging the marinade into the chicken, helping flavors penetrate deeply for maximum taste.
• Experiment with different BBQ sauce brands or mix homemade Italian dressing for a unique personalized flavor profile that suits your palate.
• Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after grilling to lock in juices and prevent dryness, resulting in a more tender and succulent meal.
• Transform this recipe by slicing grilled chicken over fresh salads, tucking into crusty sandwiches, or pairing with roasted vegetables for a complete dinner experience.
• Always use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 165°F, guaranteeing both delicious and safely cooked chicken every single time.

Serving Italian Chicken with Pasta or Salad

• Flavor Fusion Plate: Serve this zesty Italian chicken alongside creamy parmesan risotto or garlic roasted potatoes for a complete Mediterranean-inspired meal.
• Salad Companion: Top sliced grilled chicken over a crisp mixed green salad with cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette for a light and refreshing dinner option.
• Sandwich Transformation: Slice the grilled chicken and layer between toasted ciabatta bread with provolone cheese, fresh basil leaves, and a spread of garlic aioli for a gourmet sandwich experience.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Complement the tangy BBQ and Italian dressing flavors with a chilled glass of pinot grigio or a light chardonnay to enhance the overall dining experience.

Storing Italian Chicken

• Flavor Boost Technique: Marinate chicken in the morning or night before to let the Italian dressing and BBQ sauce deeply infuse every fiber of the meat, creating a mouthwatering taste experience.
• Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Keep marinated chicken in a sealed container or ziplock bag for up to 48 hours before cooking, ensuring maximum flavor absorption and food safety.
• Leftover Magic: Slice cooled grilled chicken and store in airtight containers for easy lunch meal prep, perfect for salads, sandwiches, or quick protein additions to other dishes.
• Freeze-Friendly Option: Wrap individual chicken portions in freezer-safe wrap or containers, which can stay fresh for 2-3 months, allowing you to enjoy this delicious recipe anytime a craving hits.

Rustic Italian Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Savor homemade Italian chicken with a perfect blend of Mediterranean herbs and robust flavors. Crispy exterior meets tender meat, promising a delightful culinary experience you will relish at your next family dinner.

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Ingredients

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• 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) sweet baby ray’s BBQ sauce
• 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) Italian dressing

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Instructions

1. Marinade Creation: Blend Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce and Italian dressing in a non-reactive container, whisking until a harmonious, zesty mixture forms.
2. Marination Process: Submerge chicken breasts in the prepared marinade within a sealed plastic bag or shallow glass dish, ensuring complete coverage and flavor saturation. Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight to maximize taste penetration.
3. Grill Preparation: Preheat outdoor grill to medium-high temperature, lightly brushing the grate with cooking oil to prevent chicken from adhering during cooking.
4. Grilling Technique: Position marinated chicken breasts on the heated grill, maintaining strategic placement for uniform heat distribution. Cook for approximately 15 minutes, rotating periodically to achieve consistent charring and thorough cooking.
5. Doneness Verification: Utilize a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C), ensuring complete and safe chicken preparation.
6. Resting Phase: Transfer grilled chicken from the heat source and allow to rest for 3-5 minutes, enabling natural juice redistribution and optimal moisture retention before serving.

Notes

• Marinate Wisely: Minimum 4-hour refrigeration intensifies flavor depth and ensures tender, juicy chicken with maximum taste absorption.
• Grill Temperature Matters: Medium-high heat creates perfect caramelization and prevents dry, tough meat while developing delicious external char.
• Safety First: Always check internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer to eliminate harmful bacteria and guarantee fully cooked chicken.
• Resting Technique: Allow grilled chicken to rest 3-5 minutes post-cooking, enabling natural juice redistribution for maximally succulent meat texture.

• Prep Time: 4 hours
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg