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Italian Chicken Recipe

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close up shot of Italian chicken in a pan
Our Italian chicken recipe will quickly become a family favorite. Five minutes of prep gives you juicy chicken that comes out of the oven bubbling and full of tangy sweetness.
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Table of Contents
  1. ITALIAN CHICKEN RECIPE INGREDIENTS
  2. HOW TO MAKE THIS ITALIAN CHICKEN RECIPE
  3. HOW TO SERVE
  4. STORAGE
  5. FAQ
  6. MORE RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE
  7. JUMP TO RECIPE

Our Italian Chicken recipe features tender chicken baked in a delicious sweet sauce. This recipe only needs 5 minutes of prep and will be a hit with the entire family. Whip this up on a busy weeknight and add a couple of tasty sides for a complete meal.

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There are so many Italian chicken recipes. We can help you out with a few of our favorites such as our creamy Italian chicken and pasta and Italian chicken sheet pan dinner. There are lots of other ways to cook chicken too! Check out our other easy chicken recipes including chicken marsala and paprika chicken.

close up shot of Italian chicken in a pan

MORE CHICKEN RECIPES:
Chicken Cacciatore | Lemon Chicken


ITALIAN CHICKEN RECIPE INGREDIENTS

Italian chicken raw ingredients that are labeled

You will need:

  • 4 (5-ounce pieces) boneless skinless chicken breasts, thawed 
  • ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 (0.7-ounce) packet of dry Italian dressing mix
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil 

Pro Tip: You can use frozen or fresh chicken. Thaw frozen chicken completely. Drain any juices or liquid from the chicken and pat dry with a paper towel. Extra liquid thins out the sauce and will have a boiling effect on the chicken. The seasoning and brown sugar still has enough moisture to make a paste/sauce for the marinade.

SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS

Vegetables: Add cherry tomatoes and bell peppers to your pan depending on your family’s tastes. Let them cook away alongside your chicken for roasted veggies on the side.

Chicken: You could also make this delicious meal using skinless chicken thighs.

Cheese: Add mozzarella cheese on top a few minutes before the end of cooking to melt over the chicken. Or add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese before serving.

HOW TO MAKE THIS ITALIAN CHICKEN RECIPE

STEP ONE: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and the contents of the Italian dressing mix (do not prepare the Italian salad dressing mix; simply use the dry packet contents) and the paprika.

Italian chicken process shot of ingredients in a bowl

STEP TWO: Line a baking dish (9×13 works great) with aluminum foil for easy clean-up. 

STEP THREE: Place chicken pieces in a single layer in the baking dish. Using a pastry brush, brush both sides of the chicken pieces with olive oil. Sprinkle the brown sugar seasoning mix on both sides of the chicken, then, using your hands, rub the mix into the chicken.

Italian chicken process shot of chicken being coated with seasoning in a pan

STEP FOUR: Bake in an oven preheated to 425°F for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

PRO TIP: Use a meat thermometer to test the chicken for doneness – the internal temperature should be 165°F for cooked poultry.

Italian chicken process shot after chicken is baked

STEP FIVE: Switch the oven to the broil setting and broil for 2 to 3 minutes or until the top of the chicken is lightly golden brown and bubbly. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top after removing from the oven as a garnish.

PRO TIP: You can scoop some of the sauce up from the bottom of the pan and spread it over the top of the chicken before broiling.

HOW TO SERVE

There are so many options for side dishes to go with this Italian chicken dinner. Serve with green beans and garlic bread or dinner rolls for a complete meal. You could also choose a yummy pasta dish such as our fettuccine alfredo for another simple side. The sky’s the limit with this type of easy entree.

STORAGE

IN THE FRIDGE: Store this Italian baked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 

IN THE FREEZER: Do not freeze cooked chicken that was previously frozen. If you are making this recipe using fresh chicken, you can freeze leftovers of the Italian chicken breast recipe in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

close up shot of Italian chicken on a spatula

Dinner time will be a snap with this simple Italian chicken. Ready in just 30 minutes you can easily make this any night of the week. The chicken cooks up nice and juicy with a slight tang from the Italian seasoning alongside the sweet brown sugar.

FAQ

What can I serve with this easy chicken dinner?

Serve this delicious recipe with steamed or roasted vegetables and a pasta dish on the side for an easy dinner.

Can I use frozen chicken in this recipe?

You can use frozen or fresh chicken. Thaw frozen chicken completely. Drain any juices or liquid from the chicken and pat dry with a paper towel. Extra liquid thins out the sauce and will have a boiling effect on the chicken. The seasoning and brown sugar still has enough moisture to make a paste/sauce for the marinade.

Can I freeze this recipe?

You can freeze baked Italian chicken as long as you are using fresh chicken. Previously frozen chicken should not be refrozen.

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close up shot of Italian chicken in a pan

Italian Chicken Recipe

5 from 1 vote
Our Italian chicken recipe will quickly become a family favorite. Five minutes of prep gives you juicy chicken that comes out of the oven bubbling and full of tangy sweetness.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts thawed (5-ounce pieces)
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1 dry Italian dressing mix (0.7 ounce packet)
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and the contents of the Italian dressing mix (do not prepare the Italian dressing; simply use the dry packet contents) and the paprika.
  • Line a baking dish (9×13 works great) with aluminum foil for easy clean-up.
  • Place chicken pieces in a single layer in the baking dish. Using a pastry brush, brush both sides of the chicken pieces with olive oil. Sprinkle the brown sugar seasoning mix on both sides of the chicken, then, using your hands, rub the mix into the chicken.
  • Bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
  • Switch the oven to the broil setting and broil for 2 to 3 minutes or until the top of the chicken is lightly golden and bubbly.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 214kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 162mg | Potassium: 448mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 280IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg
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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

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