Discover the perfect blend of Mediterranean zest and Southwest depth with our Zesty Italian Dressing Chicken recipe. Tangy, savory, and slightly spicy, it's a flavor journey in every bite.
Begin by trimming any excess fat from the chicken breasts.
Place the chicken in the crockpot.
Pour the Zesty Italian Dressing over the chicken, followed by the Dry Ranch Seasoning, Water, Minced Garlic, Chili Powder, and Ground Cumin. Stir everything together, ensuring all the chicken breasts are thoroughly coated with the mixture.
Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender enough to shred with ease. Always ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F for safety.
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot, mixing well with the sauce. Allow it to marinate on the warm setting for an additional 20-30 minutes, letting the flavors meld beautifully.
Instant Pot Cooking Instructions:
Follow steps 1 and 2 from the Crockpot cooking instructions, placing the chicken breasts into the Instant Pot.
Secure the Instant Pot lid and ensure the vent is set to ‘Sealing’. Select the 'Manual' or 'Pressure Cook' function and adjust the time to 10 minutes on HIGH pressure.
After the cooking cycle concludes, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully turn the vent to ‘Venting’ to release any remaining steam and pressure.
Carefully open the lid and remove the chicken. Use two forks to shred it. After shredding, return the chicken to the Instant Pot and mix it well with the dressing. Let the chicken marinate on the 'Keep Warm' setting for 20-30 minutes to allow the flavors to intensify and meld together.
Oven Cooking Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Follow the seasoning and preparation steps (steps 1 and 2) from the Crockpot cooking instructions, placing the chicken breasts in a 9×13 glass baking dish.
Once the chicken is coated and arranged in the dish, place it in the preheated oven. Bake for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. Ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.Remove the baking dish from the oven.
Transfer the chicken to a plate and shred using two forks. After shredding, return the chicken to the baking dish and mix it well with the sauce, ensuring the flavors are thoroughly combined.
Notes
My favorite way to prepare this recipe is in the crockpot, as it effortlessly melds the flavors together and results in chicken that's moist and infused with zesty goodness.
Ways to Serve Chicken with Italian Dressing Recipe
In Tacos: Use the chicken as a filling for tacos. Top with slaw, avocado slices, and a squeeze of lime.
Classic Pairing with Pasta: Toss the shredded chicken with cooked spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne. Add some cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and a sprinkle of Parmesan for a simple and delicious pasta dish.
Chicken Salad: Mix the chicken with chopped lettuce, cucumbers, olives, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese. Drizzle with a little extra Italian dressing or balsamic reduction for an appetizing salad.
Stuffed Baked Potatoes: Load up a baked potato with the shredded chicken, some shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and chives. The contrast of the zesty chicken with the earthy potato is divine.
Over Rice or Quinoa: Serve the zesty chicken over a bed of steamed rice or quinoa. Add some steamed or roasted vegetables on the side for a balanced meal.
Soup Enhancer: Stir the chicken into brothy soups or stews, especially those with beans, veggies, and pasta for an enriched flavor profile.
Stuffed Peppers: Hollow out bell peppers and stuff them with a mix of the shredded chicken, cooked rice, and some cheese. Bake until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted.