3-Ingredient Brown Sugar Italian Chicken – this easy Italian chicken recipe is sure to earn a spot in your dinner rotations! Only three basic ingredients – brown sugar, Italian dressing mix, and chicken. So easy and packed full of amazing flavor! Ready to eat in under 30 minutes! Serve this tender chicken with roasted veggies and garlic bread. The whole family loved this easy dinner!
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Pin This RecipeEasy Italian Chicken Recipe
This 3-ingredient Brown Sugar Italian Chicken is absolutely delicious. The combination of the sweetness from the brown sugar, the tanginess of the Italian dressing, and the juicy tenderness of the chicken creates a mouth-watering taste that is hard to resist. The brown sugar caramelizes on the chicken, creating a rich and flavorful glaze that enhances the taste of the dish even further. The whole family gobbled it up and asked for seconds! Add this to your menu ASAP!
How to Make 3-Ingredient Brown Sugar Italian Chicken
This baked chicken recipe is effortless to make with only three simple ingredients. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil. Spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray or drizzle a little olive oil over the bottom of the pan. In a small bowl, stir together a packet of Italian dressing mix and brown sugar. Spread sugar mixture onto a plate or shallow dish. Coat both sides of the chicken with the brown sugar mixture. Place the chicken in a baking dish that has been lined with aluminum foil. Top chicken with any remaining brown sugar mixture. Bake in a preheated oven until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF. Turn the oven broiler on and broil chicken until brown sugar caramelizes. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
- I use a packet of Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix.
- Do NOT make the dressing. You are only going to use the contents of the packet in the recipe.
- You can use this recipe with any cut of chicken that you prefer.
- Chicken breasts, chicken tenderloins, chicken cutlets, chicken thighs, chicken wings, or chicken drumsticks/legs.
- You can use boneless or bone-in chicken. Adjust the cooking time to ensure an internal temperature of 165ºF.
- I highly suggest lining your pan with foil. The brown sugar mixture gets sticky as it bakes. After dinner, throw away the foil, and the dishes are done! Easy prep and easy cleanup. It just doesn’t get any better!
- Feel free to add more herbs to the dish. Our favorite variations/additions are:
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- paprika
- oregano
- parsley
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
What to Serve with Italian Chicken
This juicy chicken has been on repeat at our house. Our go-to side dish is roasted vegetables, such as zucchini, carrots, eggplant, potatoes, and bell peppers. Another popular option is pasta, either served with a simple tomato sauce or a creamy Alfredo sauce. Our favorite Creamy Italiano Salad can also be a great choice. Don’t forget the garlic bread! Whether you opt for veggies, pasta, salad, or bread, there are plenty of options to choose from when serving Italian chicken.
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3-Ingredient Brown Sugar Italian Chicken
Equipment:
Ingredients:
- 4 to 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 (0.7-oz) packet Italian Dressing Mix
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425ºF. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil.
- Combine the brown sugar and Italian dressing mix. Coat both sides of the chicken with the brown sugar mixture. Place in prepared pan. Top chicken with any remaining brown sugar mixture.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Turn broiler on HIGH. Broil chicken until brown sugar caramelizes, about 1 to 2 minutes. Watch it carefully so it doesn’t burn!
Notes:
I used a packet of Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix.
Do NOT make the dressing. You are only going to use the contents of the packet in the recipe.Steph
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Do you need to put the chicken in the broiler? If not, how long would you cook the chicken in the oven?
Would love to try these ..
Just wondering… does it matter if it’s light brown sugar or dark ??
Whatever you prefer is fine.
Can I use the Italian seasoning that’s not in a pack??
It won’t be the same recipe. You don’t make the dressing. This recipe only coats the chicken in seasonings. There is no liquid in it.
Can you substitute dressing for the dressing mix?
This is made to use only the dry Italian dressing mix. NOT liquid bottled dressing.
I make it using Swerve brown sugar substitute and it’s just as yummy as regular brown sugar. So I don’t think dark or light would matter.
I’m doing that right now! Can’t wait to try it. I also mixed sweet potatoes with it. Crossing my fingers it turns out good. 😃
Can you make this in the crock pot?
Can you use frozen chicken??
I haven’t made this with frozen chicken. I am sure you can. You will need to cook it longer. The sauce may not look exactly like the picture because of the extra moisture coming off the chicken.
There’s no wet ingredients? The picture looks like there’s some wetness.
There is no liquid in the recipe. The chicken releases liquid as it cooks.
Do you have to use chicken breast?
You can use any type of chicken you prefer. You will need to adjust the cooking time to ensure an internal temperature of 165ºF.
Could this be made in the crockpot?
Do you cover it while cooking it.
I did not cover it
Broiler works like a flash oven without over cooking the chicken. If you waited for it to caramelize at 425 the chicken would over cook.
I made this tonight for my family and it was a hit!! Thank you so much for sharing it. I will definitely be making it again especially on the days that I forget about supper since it only took 30min total.
Hi I have a quick question, I am in the process of cooking this but I am confused. It looks like the chicken is in a sauce in the picture, are we supposed to add some type of liquid?
No sauce. As the chicken cooks, it makes its own sauce with the brown sugar and dressing.
What was your side dish with this?
Rice pastA potatoes?
Any of those work great. We also like green beans.
What is the calorie, nutrition information, I’ve asked before, no answer.. Thanks
Here is a good website to estimate nutritional information: https://www.verywellfit.com/recipe-nutrition-analyzer-4157076
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Do you have to make the Italian dressing mix
NO. Only use the dry mix.
Made this last night. It was a hit. It was quick and easy to pull together. I definitely will be making this again.
I don’t have the season mix , but i do have the dressing. Can i use that ? Or no completely different.
No. This recipe only uses dry ingredients.
Could you use italian dressing instead of the Italian packet?
I’m sure you can but it won’t look or taste like this recipe.
I have 2 chicken breast about .7lb each can I follow the same recipe and time??
Yes – enjoy!
Could u do it in the crockpot?
sure
Should I leave them whole or should I split them and make 4 breast, and also I have light brown sugar is that the same? Sorry new to this and I have a very picky eater on mybhands
I made this recipe last week and give it 5 stars. It came out picture perfect as well as moist and tender. I went out and got the dry mix and will do it again this week. it was so easy.
I dont think dry Italian mix is available in Australia..
You can make your own "Italian dressing mix". Google it, read what is in a package & put together your own spices. Use what you like & skip the rest. Have fun with it. Cooking should be fun & yummy.
No worries, make your own mix of dry spices. Those packages are over rated & expensive. Google the ingredients & use as a guide, but leave out the stuff you don't care for & add what you love. Cooking should be fun & yummy.
I have made it with turkey wings
Is this dry packet or the dressing?
It is the dry packet – just use the dry ingredients. Don't make the dressing.
What exactly is the Italian dressing mix?
do you think could you grill these
do you think could you grill these
I don't think so. The brown sugar melts and that mixes with the Italian dressing mix. I don't think the sugar would stay on the chicken while flipping it around on the grill. We have lots of great grilling recipes on the blog though – https://www.plainchicken.com/search/label/grilling
i think if you wrapped it up in the foil and put it on the grill to cook, that would work.
I am new to cooking. How long on 425. Do you cover it up while its in the oven.
you don't cover the chicken while it bakes.
I am new to cooking. So do you cover up the chicken while its cooking in the oven. How long on 425.
I have Italian dressing but not the mix. Wonder how that would turn out….
It would taste great, I make chicken and rice with just chicken, Italian dressing and rice.
I am going to try this tonight! Thanks for the recipe!
Made this tonight. So simple, so good. Will be making again and again.