Baked Italian Chicken

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick spray or olive oil.

2. Assemble the Dish: Arrange the chicken, potatoes, and green beans in separate sections in the prepared baking dish. This ensures everything cooks evenly. (For a more rustic presentation, you can toss everything together in a large bowl first).

3. Season: Sprinkle the entire packet of dry Italian dressing mix evenly over the chicken, potatoes, and green beans.

4. Add Butter: Drizzle the melted butter evenly over everything, making sure to get some on each section.

5. Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake on the middle rack for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F) and the potatoes are fork-tender.

6. Serve: Carefully remove the pan from the oven and uncover (be mindful of the steam). Give everything a gentle stir to coat in the delicious pan sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately.

Chef’s Notes & Tips

• Fresh Green Beans: You can substitute 1 lb of fresh green beans, trimmed. There’s no need to thaw if using frozen.

• Potato Note: Cutting the potatoes into uniform, 1-inch chunks is key to ensuring they become perfectly tender alongside the chicken.

• Crispy Finish: For a golden top, remove the foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.

• Customize: Feel free to add other vegetables like sliced bell peppers, onions, or carrots.