3-Ingredient Chicken Charleston

This is one of those old fashioned comfort foods that saves the night when it’s been too long since we’ve had the time to cook. There is no fuss in preparing these three simple ingredients. All the hard work is done for us in the oven.

I have a number of quick and easy meals when my schedule becomes hectic and I do not have much time available to prepare a meal. I know I’m able to get away from cooking when there is little or no preparation required. The onions become so soft and jammy as they cook under the chicken, that everything blends together to form a rich, flavorful sauce.

One thing that I love about this recipe, is that there is absolutely no prep work needed to make this delicious meal. Simply add the ingredients to your baking dish, and let the magic happen. This is great to serve immediately out of the oven over a generous helping of warm, fluffy white rice.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Only uses three simple ingredients purchased at your grocery store. 
• Prep time takes less than ten minutes. 
• The chicken is moist, juicy and tender. 
• One pan is all you use which makes clean-up extremely easy. 
• Makes a rich, tasty sauce that is great for spooning over your sides.

Ingredients You Need

To make this comfortable and saucy dinner, you’ll only need three basic items; all of which are readily available at your local grocery store.

• Chicken thighs: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs remain very moist due to their extended baking time. 
• Sweet onion: Large sweet onions such as Vidalia break down beautifully into a wonderful jammy bottom layer. 
• Russian dressing: Regular bottled type Russian dressing provides the tangy and savory sweet taste to this dish.

How to Make It

Below is a step-by-step process to assemble this savory chicken dinner in your baking dish.

Prepare the Dish

First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease your lightly greased 9×13 inch casserole dish or oval-shaped baking dish so it won’t stick.

Layer the Onions

Slice your sweet onion into large slices. Place them in a uniform layer on the very bottom of your prepared baking dish.

Add the Chicken

Next place the chicken thighs on top of the onion slices in a uniform layer. Be sure to arrange them in a way that allows each thigh to cook evenly. Do not crowd the thighs because they should be arranged in a single layer.

Coat with Dressing

After that pour the Russian dressing evenly over the chicken thighs. Then take a spoon and coat each piece of chicken thoroughly.

Bake Covered

Next cover your baking dish with tight-fitting aluminum foil to help retain the moisture created during baking. Afterward, bake for forty-five minutes at 350°F.

Uncover and Finish

Finally remove the foil covering and gently spoon some of the hot pan sauce on top of the chicken. Return it to the oven for another twenty-five to thirty-five minutes until it reaches full doneness.

Tips for Success

• Use a sweet onion instead of the regular yellow variety for the absolute best caramelization.
• If your Russian dressing is too thick – add a little bit of water first before drizzling over the top.
• Make sure that your foil is completely sealed to allow your chicken to steam as much as possible and become super tender.
• Allow the baked dish to sit for about 5 minutes prior to slicing so all the juices can redistribute properly throughout the chicken.
• A meat thermometer will help assure the most internal area of the chicken has reached at least 165°F.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Refrigerate leftover chicken & onions in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Cool down the chicken & sauce and place them both in a sealed, freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Reheat leftovers gently in the microwave or in a covered skillet over medium-low heat.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve over a bed of fluffy white rice to absorb the rich, saucy goodness.
• Pair with easy steamed green beans or roasted broccoli.
• Spoon those saucy onions over creamy homemade mashed potatoes.
• Add some nice, warm, crusty dinner rolls to complete this meal.

3-Ingredient Chicken Charleston

Jennifer

You will love this easy 3-ingredient chicken charleston. A simple, savory-sweet dinner that takes just minutes to prep and bakes in one pan.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Equipment

• Equipment
• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Aluminum foil

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 6 bone-in/skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 large sweet onion cut into rings
• 1 cup bottled Russian dressing

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease the bottom of the 9×13 inch baking dish lightly.
• Lay the sliced sweet onions in a single layer across the entire bottom of the prepared baking dish.
• Position the chicken thighs skin-side up over the sliced sweet onions in a single layer.
• Evenly pour the Russian dressing over top of the chicken thighs using a spoon to ensure each piece is coated well with sauce.
• Cover the baking dish tightly w/ aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 45 minutes.
• Remove the foil carefully. Spoon some of the pan sauce from the bottom of the baking dish over the chicken thighs.
• Put it back into the oven without a cover. Bake an additional 25-35 min., or until cooked through & has reached an internal temperature of at least 165°F.

*Nutritional information is a calculated guesstimate. Please note that this can change with different brands and modifications you may make to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements you’re using with each recipe.

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