Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts (~2 lbs total), pounded to an even thickness
Marinade
- 3/4 cup Italian salad dressing (see notes for alternatives)
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
- Onion powder, to taste
- Paprika, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (204°C) and spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the baking pan. Drizzle the Italian salad dressing evenly over the chicken, then sprinkle all the seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika) to taste. Use tongs or clean hands to flip and coat each piece well, then arrange them in an even layer in the pan.
- Bake the chicken: Place the baking pan in the oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the thickest part of the largest chicken breast registers 165°F (74°C) on a digital instant-read thermometer.
- Rest the chicken: Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving or slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
- Optional make-ahead: For convenience, combine chicken breasts, Italian dressing, and seasonings in a gallon-size Ziplock bag. Seal tightly, removing excess air, and refrigerate for 30 minutes up to 24 hours. When ready, pour contents into the prepared baking dish and bake as directed.
Notes
- If chicken breasts weigh over 10 ounces each, pound them evenly then cut in half to ensure uniform cooking.
- Any vinaigrette or dressing works, but avoid creamy dressings like Ranch or French as they burn in the oven.
- Recommended dressing: Ken's Zesty Italian salad dressing; alternatives include balsamic vinegar, lemon vinaigrette, or Asian-style dressing.
- If you lack salad dressing, simply brush chicken breasts with extra virgin olive oil and season as directed before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
