There is nothing simpler than pouring some sweet Italian dressing over chicken and veggies and throwing them on the grill. Growing up, this Italian Dressing Chicken was a go-to dinner for its simplicity and big flavor. Today, I'm sharing my favorite summer dinner with you, and it’s just 4 ingredients! For added flavor, make your own Sweet Italian dressing.
What is Italian Dressing Chicken?
Italian Dressing Chicken is a dish made by marinating chicken pieces in Italian dressing, which typically includes a blend of oil, vinegar, herbs, and spices. The marinated chicken is then grilled, baked, or sautéed, resulting in a flavorful and juicy dish. The dressing infuses the chicken with its tangy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors, making it a simple yet delicious meal. This method is often used for both whole chicken pieces and skewers with vegetables.
This was inspired by my Grilled Chicken Thighs, and pairs well with my Crispy Baked Potatoes.
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🌟 Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Simplicity: With just four main ingredients and minimal prep time, it's a quick and easy meal to make, perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends.
- Flavor: The sweet Italian dressing infuses the chicken and vegetables with a delicious blend of tangy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors, making every bite delightful.
- Versatility: This recipe can be easily adapted with different proteins and vegetables, allowing you to customize it to your taste and dietary preferences.
🥘 Ingredients
This recipe requires chicken thighs or breasts, sweet Italian dressing, bell peppers, onion, and skewers for a flavorful and colorful grilled dish.
- Chicken thighs or breasts
- Sweet Italian Dressing - I recommend using my Sweet Italian Dressing recipe, but you can also use store bought.
- Bell peppers- Use any color you like!
- Onion - I used a red onion for color, but you could also use yellow, shallot, or pearl.
See recipe card for quantities.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Cut 1 pound of chicken thighs or breasts into 1-inch pieces. Dice 2 bell peppers and 1 onion into 1-inch cubes.
Step 2: Place the chicken, bell peppers, and onion in a mixing bowl. Pour 1 cup of sweet Italian dressing over the chicken and vegetables.
Step 3: Thread the marinated chicken, bell peppers, and onion onto skewers, alternating pieces.
Step 4: Preheat a grill to medium-high heat and grill skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender and lightly charred.
👩🏼🍳 Chef's Tip
- If you decide to use wooden skewers, make sure to soak in water for at least 30 minutes before using to prevent burning.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Mediterranean Style Skewers: These skewers feature marinated chicken, bell peppers, and onions with Greek dressing, complemented by cherry tomatoes and feta cheese for a Mediterranean twist.
- Spicy Cajun Skewers: Spiced with Cajun seasoning and grilled to perfection, these skewers combine chicken, pineapple, jalapeños, and bell peppers for a zesty Cajun-inspired dish.
- Asian-Inspired Skewers: Infused with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, these skewers marry tender chicken, bell peppers, pineapple, and mushrooms in an Asian-flavored marinade, ideal for a unique grilling experience.
🍴 Equipment
- Skewers (wooden or metal)
- Mixing bowl for marinating
- Grill (charcoal or gas)
- Tongs (for turning skewers on the grill)
- Knife and cutting board
💭 Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can experiment with different dressings to suit your taste. For example, try balsamic vinaigrette for a tangy flavor or a lemon-herb dressing for a fresh twist.
Grill the skewers over medium-high heat for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked through and the vegetables are tender and lightly charred.
Yes, you can prepare the skewers ahead of time by assembling them and then refrigerating them (uncooked) until you're ready to grill. Marinate the skewers in the dressing for up to 24 hours before grilling for enhanced flavor.
🥣 Storage & Reheating
Storage: Store leftover skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: To reheat, gently warm skewers in a skillet over medium heat or briefly on a grill until heated through.
Freezing: You can freeze cooked skewers in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2-3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
🍷 Wine Pairing
Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with Italian Dressing Chicken Skewers due to its crisp acidity and fresh citrus flavors, which complement the grilled chicken and vegetables without overpowering them, creating a balanced and enjoyable dining experience.
👩🏼🍳 Top Tips
- Ensure Even Marination: Allow the chicken and vegetables to marinate for at least 30 minutes to ensure they absorb the flavors of the Italian dressing evenly, enhancing taste and tenderness.
- Prevent Skewer Sticking: Before threading, soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from burning or sticking during grilling.
- Evenly Sized Pieces: Cut the chicken, bell peppers, and onions into uniform 1-inch pieces to ensure they cook evenly on the skewers, resulting in a well-balanced dish with consistent texture and flavor.
🌿 Related Recipes
🥗 Pairing Recommendations
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating & comment below to let me know how it came out. Thanks for visiting!
📋 Recipe
Italian Dressing Chicken
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Equipment
- Skewers (wooden or metal)
- Mixing bowl for marinating
- Grill (charcoal or gas)
- Tongs (for turning skewers on the grill)
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thighs or breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup sweet Italian dressing homemade or store-bought
- 2 bell peppers any color, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 onion cut into 1-inch pieces
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken, Bell Peppers, and Onion: In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces, bell peppers, and onion. Pour 1 cup of sweet Italian dressing over them, making sure everything is well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to marinate.
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, about 400°F (200°C).
- Assemble the Skewers: Thread the marinated chicken pieces, bell pepper pieces, and onion pieces onto skewers, alternating between them until the skewer is filled, leaving a little space at each end.
- Grill the Skewers: Place the assembled skewers on the preheated grill. Season with salt and pepper. Grill for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked through and the vegetables are tender and lightly charred.
- Serve: Once grilled, remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes. Serve hot as a main dish with your favorite sides like rice, salad, or grilled vegetables.
Video
Notes
🌡️ Food safety
- Chicken - Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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