You’re speaking my language — minimal ingredients, maximum flavor. This sounds like a fantastic shortcut for juicy, flavorful chicken with almost no prep.
Here are a few ideas, depending on the type of “dressing” you have. Each uses dressing + 2 more ingredients over chicken.
Idea 1: The Classic Italian Herb Bake
· Dressing: Italian dressing (bottled vinaigrette-style, not creamy)
· + 2 Ingredients: Mozzarella cheese, crushed croutons or panko
· Method: Marinate chicken in Italian dressing for 30 mins (or just pour it over). Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 mins. Top with cheese and crumbs, bake 5-10 more mins until golden.
Idea 2: The Creamy Ranch Crispy Chicken
· Dressing: Ranch dressing (the creamy, bottled kind)
· + 2 Ingredients: Grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs
· Method: Mix equal parts ranch, Parmesan, and breadcrumbs into a thick paste. Smother over chicken breasts. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 mins until cooked through and topping is golden.
Idea 3: The Sweet & Tangy Glaze
· Dressing: Balsamic vinaigrette
· + 2 Ingredients: Honey, fresh rosemary (or dried)
· Method: Whisk dressing with honey and chopped rosemary. Pour over chicken in a baking dish. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 mins, basting halfway, until glazed and sticky.
Idea 4: The 3-Ingredient “Magic” Chicken
This is the ultimate easy dinner. It’s famously good.
· Dressing: Catalina, French, or Russian dressing (the sweet/tangy red kind)
· + 2 Ingredients: Apricot or peach preserves (jam), 1 packet dry onion soup mix
· Method: In a bowl, mix 1 cup dressing + 1 cup jam + 1 packet onion soup mix. Place chicken in a baking dish. Pour sauce over, turning to coat. Bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 45-55 mins (for bone-in pieces) or 25-30 mins (for boneless), until chicken is cooked and sauce is bubbly and caramelized at the edges. Serve over rice to soak up the incredible sauce.
✨ Ultimate Minimalist Air Fryer Version
If you’re using the air fryer and want just dressing plus 2 ingredients:
· Dressing: Any vinaigrette or marinade (Italian, Greek, Caesar)
· + 2 Ingredients: Grated hard cheese (Parmesan, Romano), a seasoning blend (like everything bagel seasoning, lemon pepper, or garlic powder)
· Method: Coat chicken in dressing. Mix cheese and seasoning. Press mixture onto chicken. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 mins until crispy and cooked through.
Which one sounds best? If you tell me what kind of dressing you have in your fridge right now, I can give you the exact bake time and method!