This Baked French Dressing Chicken is a retro classic that’s incredibly easy to make and packed with a unique sweet and tangy flavor! Bone-in chicken thighs are baked in a simple yet delicious sauce made with French dressing, BBQ sauce, and onion soup mix. I love how this recipe requires minimal effort but delivers incredibly juicy chicken with a flavorful, slightly caramelized glaze. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner when you want something comforting and hassle-free.
Why You’ll Love This French Dressing Chicken
- Incredibly Easy: This recipe uses just a few ingredients and requires very little prep work.
- Sweet and Tangy Flavor: The combination of French dressing, BBQ sauce, and onion soup mix creates a unique and delicious flavor profile.
- Juicy and Tender: Baking the chicken thighs in the sauce keeps them incredibly moist and tender.
- Minimal Cleanup: Everything bakes together in one pan.
- Family-Friendly: A simple and flavorful dish that kids and adults will enjoy.
Ingredients for French Dressing Chicken
Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy baked chicken. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Chicken thighs – Bone-in with skin (Meat) See notes in original recipe
- French dressing (Condiment)
- BBQ sauce (Sauce)
- Onion soup packet (Seasoning Mix)
Seasoning
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Pepper (Spice)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this French Dressing Chicken as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Different Chicken Cuts: Use bone-in chicken breasts, drumsticks, or even boneless chicken thighs (adjust baking time accordingly).
- Add Vegetables: Place some sliced onions, potatoes, or carrots in the baking dish along with the chicken.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture.
- Different Dressing: Experiment with Catalina dressing or Russian dressing instead of French dressing.
- Add Pineapple: Place pineapple rings on top of the chicken during the last 15 minutes of baking.
How to Make French Dressing Chicken
Let me show you how incredibly easy it is to make this Baked French Dressing Chicken:
Preheat Oven and Prepare Chicken
- I preheat my oven to 350 degrees F (175°C).
- I place the chicken thighs in a baking pan.
- I salt and pepper the chicken pieces generously.
Make the Sauce
- In a small bowl, I mix together the French dressing, BBQ sauce, and the onion soup packet.
Combine and Bake
- I pour the dressing mixture over the chicken in the baking pan.
- I bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
Baste and Broil
- At the 55-minute mark, I spoon the dressing mixture from the bottom of the pan over the chicken skin and baste it well.
- After basting, I turn the broiler on high for the last 5-10 minutes and brown the skin really well. As always, I check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer to make sure it reaches 165 degrees F (74°C).
Serve
- Serve
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Baked Chicken
Here are my secrets for making this chicken truly exceptional:
- Use Bone-In, Skin-On Thighs: Thighs stay more moist and flavorful during baking, and the skin gets deliciously crispy.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the baking dish for even cooking.
- Basting is Key: Basting the chicken towards the end helps to create a flavorful glaze and keeps the meat moist.
- Broil Carefully: Keep a close eye on the chicken while broiling to prevent the skin from burning.
- Check Internal Temperature: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
How to Serve
This French Dressing Chicken is delicious served with:
- Rice: White rice or brown rice are perfect for soaking up the flavorful sauce.
- Mashed Potatoes: A classic comfort food pairing.
- Roasted Vegetables: Serve with roasted broccoli, green beans, or carrots.
- Salad: A simple green salad helps balance the richness of the dish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Leftover cooked chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave.
FAQs about French Dressing Chicken
- Can I use boneless chicken breasts?
- Yes, but they will cook much faster. Reduce the baking time accordingly (around 25-35 minutes) and check the internal temperature.
- What type of BBQ sauce should I use?
- Any standard BBQ sauce will work – use your favorite!
- Is this dish very sweet?
- It has a noticeable sweetness from the French dressing, BBQ sauce, and brown sugar in the onion soup mix. Adjust ingredients if you prefer less sweetness.
Enjoy this easy, flavorful, and slightly retro Baked French Dressing Chicken! It’s a perfect comfort food meal for any night of the week.
Print
Baked French Dressing Chicken
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Category: Main Course, Chicken
- Cuisine: American
Description
This French Dressing Chicken is an incredibly simple yet flavorful baked chicken dish. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are baked in a tangy, sweet, and savory sauce made from French dressing, BBQ sauce, and onion soup mix, resulting in tender chicken and a delicious pan sauce.
Ingredients
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (see notes)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 cups French dressing
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- 1 (1-ounce) packet dry onion soup mix
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the chicken thighs in a baking pan (such as a 9×13-inch dish) in a single layer.
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and black pepper.
- Make Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the French dressing, BBQ sauce, and dry onion soup mix until well combined.
- Pour Sauce Over Chicken: Pour the dressing mixture evenly over the seasoned chicken thighs in the baking pan.
- Bake: Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour.
- Baste Chicken: At the 55-minute mark (5 minutes before the initial baking hour is up), remove the pan from the oven. Spoon the sauce from the bottom of the pan over the chicken skin, basting it well.
- Broil (for Crispy Skin): After basting, turn the oven setting to broil (high). Return the pan to the oven and broil for 5-10 minutes, watching very carefully, until the skin is browned and crispy. Keep a close eye on the chicken during broiling to prevent burning.
- Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part, avoiding the bone.
- Serve
Notes
- Chicken: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are recommended for flavor and juiciness. You can substitute bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts, but adjust the baking time accordingly (breasts usually cook faster).
- French Dressing: Use your favorite bottled French dressing.
- BBQ Sauce: Any BBQ sauce will work, choose your favorite flavor profile (sweet, smoky, tangy).
- Onion Soup Mix: Use the standard dry onion soup mix found in packets.
- Broiling: Watch the chicken very carefully under the broiler, as the sugars in the sauce can burn quickly. Adjust the time as needed to achieve desired crispiness without burning.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve this chicken with rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables to soak up the delicious pan sauce.
- Storage: Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.