Grilled Italian Chicken is an easy marinade that delivers big flavorful results! Italian dressing is the base of this marinade with a few extra spices from the pantry. Mostly hands off since this is cooked over indirect heat! Be sure to make the vegetable packets for a complete meal!
Why this works
- Easy - the marinade for this Grilled Italian Chicken comes together in just a few minutes then you just let time take care of the rest of the flavor for you. Beer Can Chicken on the grill is also another good recipe!
- Indirect cooking - since this is cooked using the indirect method it's mostly put it on the grill and walk away. Turn and rotate the chicken a few times is really all you need to do then wait for it to finish.
- Meal prep - this is great for a make ahead meal prep for lunches. This recipe holds its flavor and moisture making it perfect as a make ahead meal for later in the week. Serve this alongside some Griddle Bacon Brussel Sprouts for a delicious lunch! You can also try out this fajita marinade for more meal prep ideas!
- Complete meal - the optional vegetable packets are a great way to have a complete meal with very little work.
Ingredients you will need
Here is a quick snapshot of the ingredients you'll need for this recipe. Scroll to the recipe card where you will find the exact measurements.
Ingredient notes
- Chicken - Any other cut of chicken can be used for this recipe in place of the boneless skinless chicken breasts. Turkey will also work for this recipe.
- Asparagus - choose young asparagus with small stalks for best results.
Ingredient swaps
- Vegetables - the veggie packets are optional. However, you can swap out the ones in the picture for others that you might have on hand.
- Italian dressing - if you don't have the store-bought dressing you can make the dressing from scratch using one of delicous recipes below.
How to make this
Step 1: Marinate the chicken and prep the vegetable packets
Place the chicken in a plastic bag or storage container. Add in the Italian herb seasoning, garlic and onion powder, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Pour in the Italian dressing.
Close the bag and mush around to combine the ingredients and coat the chicken. If using a storage container then toss to coat then close. Marinate for a minimum of 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
Step 2: Grilling the chicken and cooking the vegetable packets
Preheat the grill to 400- to 450- degrees. This will have the effect of "searing" the chicken when you first put it in. It will give you a juicier cooked chicken at the end.
Place the marinated chicken on the grill and rack. Add the vegetable packets to the opposite side.
Turn off the grill burners under the chicken as we will be cooking on indirect heat. Leave the farthest burner on full, and the next one on half or less. We want the cooking temperature to remain at around 350- to 375-degrees while we grill.
Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165-degrees. Using this method depending on the size of the chicken pieces you can expect this to take 1 ½ - 2 hours to cook.
Turn the chicken every 30 minutes until done. Check the vegetable packets for doneness at 30 to one hour. Remove once they are cooked to desired doneness.
Once the Grilled Italian Chicken is finished cooking remove to a tray, and tent with foil. Allow to rest about 5-10 minutes prior to serving.
Expert tips
- The longer the marinade the better. Try not to go over 24 hours though, but if something comes up it can stay in the marinade an additional day. I wouldn't do this as a rule of thumb though! But life does come up every so often.
- You can also inject the chicken with the marinade to get more flavor.
- When you are choosing vegetables be sure to pick ones that have a similar cook time, or can be cut smaller to match the cook times of the other vegetable.
FAQs
Yes, bake at 375-degrees until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165-degrees.
No, once the chicken has been marinated the marinade can be discarded.
Make sure not to skip the step of preheating the grill to a high temperature. This has the effect of searing the meat which will keep the juices in. Also, be sure to keep an eye on the internal temperature of the chicken so it is not cooked for to long.
Serving suggestions
Grilled Italian Chicken is extremely versatile! Serve with a side of vegetables and rice. Or cut up to top a green salad or add to a pasta dish for a full meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store in an bag or airtight container for up to one week. Reheat in microwave for a few minutes or serve cold on salad. If using in a pasta dish then slice and toss in while finishing the dish to warm.
The grilled chicken can be frozen in a freezer bag or freezer container for up to 4 months. Thaw in the refrigerator prior to serving.
More easy dinners
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Recipe
Grilled Italian Chicken
Ingredients
- 6 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts can substitute other chicken pieces
Marinade Ingredients
- 24 ounces Italian dressing
- 1 tablespoon Italian herb seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Optional Vegetable Packets
- 1 bunch asparagus
- 1 tomato cut into ⅛'s
- 1 cup peas frozen
- 1 cup mushrooms sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Marinade the chicken
- Place chicken in plastic bag or storage container. Add the Italian herb seasoning, garlic and onion powder, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Pour Italian dressing over the chicken. Toss to coat.
- Marinade for a minimum of two hours or up to 24 hours.
Optional Vegetable Packets
- Divide prepared vegetables in half. Lay on foil, salt and pepper to taste, and then pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil over each.
- Close and fold the foil to create a packet.
Grilling Chicken
- Preheat the grill to 400- to 450-degrees. Once preheated turn off all burners except two. Leave one on full and the other on at half.
- Place chicken on burners that are off since we are cooking on indirect heat.
- Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165-degrees. Usually this takes 1 ½ to 2 hours using this method.
- Once the chicken reaches temperature remove from heat, and tent with foil. Allow the meat to rest 5-10 minutes prior to serving.
Optional Vegetable Packets
- Place prepared packets on top rack of grill above burners that are on.
- Cook 30 minutes to one hour or until vegetables are cooked to desired doneness.
Notes
Yes, bake at 375-degrees until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165-degrees. Do I have to apply the marinade during cooking?
No, once the chicken has been marinated the marinade can be discarded. Why is my grilled Italian chicken dry?
Make sure not to skip the step of preheating the grill to a high temperature. This has the effect of searing the meat which will keep the juices in. Also, be sure to keep an eye on the internal temperature of the chicken so it is not cooked for to long.
Nutrition
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