Chicken breast with Italian dressing: the easiest marinade for juicy flavor

Chicken is, according to the World Population Review, one of the most popular foods on Earth. It’s easy to see why; it’s generally cheaper than other meats, and it’s full of protein.

However, while chicken is fine by itself, there are many ways to improve its flavour. Perhaps the simplest and the best is chicken breast, Italian dressing. If you’re searching for a way to make juicy, flavourful chicken, then you need to understand how to prepare chicken breast marinated in Italian dressing.

How to prepare and marinate the chicken

 The good news is that preparing chicken for marinating isn’t complicated. All you need is your choice of chicken; it can be breast, thigh, or anything else you like. The chicken is generally placed in a sealable bag, although it can be marinated in a bowl. The marinating liquid is added, and the chicken is left for between 30 minutes and two hours. During that time, it soaks up the flavours, transforming the taste of your chicken.

 Our option, chicken breast, Italian dressing, requires olive oil. Using the finest Italian EVO olive oil will enhance the flavour further. You’ll also want a little white wine vinegar (or balsamic vinegar), lemon juice, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of honey. Mix these ingredients together first, then add them to the chicken in the bag and leave to soak. It’s the perfect Italian dressing marinade for chicken

Best marinating time for maximum tenderness

 The best marinating time is personal. We’ve mentioned 30 minutes to two hours. Some people prefer to leave it in the refrigerator overnight. The trick is to leave it long enough to infuse the flavour without damaging the chicken (making it mushy). Most people will find that marinating chicken breast in Italian dressing is best done by trial and error.

How to store marinated chicken safely

 In general, chicken breast Italian dressing marinade is best consumed as soon as the marinating process is completed. However, if you’re super organised and want to store it for future use, you’ll need to place it inside a sealed airtight container. Place the container in the refrigerator and use it within two days. Alternatively, freeze the marinated chicken and you should be able to keep it for as long as three months without affecting the flavour.

Cooking methods for chicken breast with Italian dressing

 Cooking your marinated chicken with Italian dressing is simple and a delightful experience. You’ll instantly be able to smell the chicken cooking, and it will probably make you feel hungry.

 There are several options to get your perfect result.

Baked chicken breast: an easy and healthy option

It’s hard to beat baked chicken breast with Italian dressing, although these Italian dressing pork chops do put up a good fight. When baking chicken breast with Italian dressing, we recommend removing the chicken from the marinade and placing them on some greaseproof paper on a baking tray. Preheat your oven to 200°C (that’s 400°F) and bake your marinated chicken for approximately ten minutes on each side. Make sure it’s not pink in the middle and enjoy.

 If you want a little variety, you can check out these delightful baked chicken breast recipes with Italian dressing.

Grilled chicken: smoky and delicious

Grilling your marinated chicken is another great option. It’s still healthy and can add a delightful smoky flavour to your meal.

 It’s a good idea to dab your marinated chicken with some kitchen towel to remove excess liquid. You’ll want your grill at a temperature of around 200°C, then simply place the chicken on the grill and turn regularly. It’s a good idea to put a little oil on the grill to ensure the chicken doesn’t stick.

It will take around 6-8 minutes per side. Use a meat thermometer to make sure it’s cooked properly.

Pan-seared chicken: quick and flavourful

 If you want to keep it healthy, we suggest you use a good quality olive oil when pan-searing your marinated chicken. All you have to do is heat the oil in your pan and introduce your chicken. Again, it’s better to remove excess liquid first. It’s important that the stove is on a medium heat. Add your chicken and let it cook for 4-6 minutes per side.

Using a meat thermometer will ensure it is fully cooked. Thicker pieces of chicken will take a little longer, although pounding them before you cook helps.

Conclusion

There are several ways in which you can create a delicious chicken breast Italian dressing meal. We recommend you try all three of the above methods to find the one you love the most. In all cases, this is a quick meal to prepare, marinate, and cook. That makes it perfect in this modern, fast-paced world.