Description
Catalina chicken brings zesty tropical flavors straight to your dinner table with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness. Simple pantry ingredients create this quick family-friendly meal that delivers big taste in just one pan.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 1 cup Kraft Catalina salad dressing
- ½ cup apricot preserves
- 1.25 ounce packet dry onion soup mix
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Minced fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a steady 350°F, ensuring your rack sits in the middle position for even cooking.
- Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish and brush 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil across the bottom and sides to prevent sticking.
- Arrange 3 to 4 chicken breasts in the dish, spreading them out so they are not touching each other.
- Grab a medium mixing bowl and combine 1 cup Catalina dressing, ½ cup apricot preserves, and the entire packet of dry onion soup mix.
- Whisk the sauce ingredients until they blend smoothly, adding ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes for a subtle kick if your taste buds enjoy a hint of heat.
- Pour the entire sauce mixture over the chicken, ensuring each breast gets completely coated with the tangy-sweet sauce.
- Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil across the top of the chicken to help create a golden, crispy surface.
- Slide the uncovered dish into the preheated oven and bake for exactly 35 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to seal in the juices.
- Sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley on top for a pop of color and fresh flavor before serving hot.
Notes
- Check chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer, aiming for 165°F to ensure safe cooking.
- Swap chicken breasts with thighs for more flavor and juiciness, adjusting cooking time slightly.
- For a lower-sugar version, use sugar-free preserves and a reduced-sugar Catalina dressing.
- Customize heat level by adjusting red pepper flakes or using mild pepper for a kid-friendly meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 to 4
- Calories: 440 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 970 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg