Name: Italian Herb Chicken with Caesar Dressing Dip
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 pounds chicken tenderloins (cut in bite sized pieces); ¼ cup olive oil; ¼ cup fresh lemon juice; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 3 garlic cloves (minced); 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; ½ teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper; 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; cut up vegetables for serving (red peppers, yellow peppers, broccoli, and cucumbers); homemade Caesar dressing or a store bought bottled brand

Italian Herb Chicken with Caesar Dressing Dip is a delicious entrée or appetizer. A marinade with garlic, lemon juice and Italian herbs infuses chicken tenderloins. A creamy and tangy homemade Caesar dressing is the perfect dipping sauce for the sauteed chicken bites.

plated Italian herb chicken, vegetables and dip.

[feast_advanced_jump_to]

why you'll love this recipe

Looking for a tasty appetizer or fun dinner recipe? This Italian Herb Chicken is just what you need.

The bite sized chicken tenderloin pieces are so juicy. Adding an easy Italian chicken marinade of garlic, lemon, and herbs makes the dish is so bright and with lots of flavor. A quick sauté produces perfectly golden brown chicken bites brimming with savory goodness.

The homemade Caesar dressing is rich and luxurious with a balance of citrus, salty and earthy flavors. It's the perfect dipping sauce for the garlicky lemon chicken.

This Italian and Herb Chicken recipe is not only scrumptious it's gluten free and low carb too.

appetizer with sauteed poultry, veggies and dip.

You'll love that this herbed chicken is:

Easy to make ~ This recipe is made with a handful ingredients and just a few simple steps.
Super flavorful ~ The marinade of lemon juice, Italian spices and garlic infuses the chicken with tons of bright flavor. The dish gets an extra punch of deliciousness from the tangy parmesan Caesar dip.
Versatile ~ This easy recipe is tasty as an appetizer or entrée. Any leftover chicken can be tossed in a salad or tucked in a wrap sandwich the next day.

ingredients and substitutions

Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. I've included some substitutions too. Scroll to the recipe card for full quantities of all the ingredients.

tenderloins, salt, pepper, Caesar dressing, garlic, dried herbs.

Chicken tenderloins ~ Easy substitutions include skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
Olive oil ~ Other oils to try include extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, and sunflower oil.
Lemon juice ~ Fresh squeezed lemon juice adds citrusy flavor while tenderizing the chicken.
Worcestershire sauce ~ Soy sauce can be used as an alternative.
Garlic cloves ~ Garlic powder can be used as a substitute.
Dried oregano
Dried thyme
Smoked paprika ~ Just a bit adds a smoky undertone to the marinade.
Kosher salt ~ The larger grain salt enhances the flavor of food without making it overly salty.
Fresh ground black pepper ~ It's more flavorful than already ground pepper.
Grated Parmesan cheese ~ Substitutes include Grana Padano or Pecorino Romano.
Fresh basil ~ The peppery herb adds a pop of color and flavor. Dried basil can be used in a pinch.
Caesar dressing dip ~ This is my go-to dressing recipe. I make it a couple times a month. It's rich, tangy, creamy and luxurious.

recipe instructions

Gather the simple ingredients and everyday kitchen tools to make this Italian chicken recipe. This is a brief overview of the flavorful recipe. Scroll to the recipe card for the complete instructions.

Place the chicken in a bowl with the marinade ingredients. Toss to coat the chicken with the marinade.

Cover and marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.

Sauté the marinated chicken for 3-4 minutes or until browned and cooked through.

Sprinkle the chicken with grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh basil and serve with Caesar dip.

Hint: Be sure not to crowd the pan with sauteing the chicken. Spread it evenly in the pan so the pieces aren't touching. If the pan is too cramped, the chicken with steam rather than get a golden brown crust.

variations

Italian Herb Chicken is a gluten free, keto-friendly and low carb recipe. Try some of these variations to make the recipe one of your favorites.

Spicy - Add chili pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper along with the dried herbs in the marinade.
A touch of sweetness - Add 1 tablespoon of honey or light brown sugar to balance the flavors.
Add a new dip - Try my Fresh Basil Hummus, Easy Tzatziki Sauce, or Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing as alternate dips.

recommended equipment

Having the right equipment can make cooking a breeze. I recommend the following kitchen utensils and equipment for this easy chicken recipe.

chef knife
cutting boards
stacking glass bowls
measuring cups
metal measuring spoons
large sauté pan
metal tongs
digital thermometer
white platters - for serving

alternate cooking methods

Try these different cooking methods to add unique flavor to the Italian herb chicken.

Bake - Place the chicken on a rimmed baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees F for 10-15 minutes.
Broil - Place chicken on a rimmed baking sheet and broil for 3-4 minutes per side.
Grill - Thread the marinated chicken on metal or wooden skewers. Cook on a grill pan or a grill for about 3-4 minutes per side. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about 20 minutes to prevent them from burning.

storage and heating

Follow these tips for storing the chicken in the refrigerator or freezer.

Refrigerator ~ Completely cool the chicken and store in an airtight container (I use these meal prep containers) in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave on 60 percent power for 1-2 minutes. Continue heating at 30 second intervals until heated through. Alternately heat in sauté pan over medium low heat or a 350 degree F oven for 10 minutes.
Freezer ~ Completely cool the chicken and store in an airtight container (I use these meal prep containers) in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge. To reheat, microwave on 60 percent power for 1-2 minutes. Continue heating at 30 second intervals until heated through. Alternately heat in sauté pan over medium low heat or a 350 degree F oven for 10 minutes.

expert tip

Don't over marinate the chicken. 15-20 minutes can make a huge difference in the flavor of marinated chicken. A little bit of tenderizing from the salt, sugars and acids (i.e. citrus juice) is good. Too long of a marinating time (anything over 24 hours) will break down the fibers in the meat and cause it to get stringy and mushy.

frequently asked questions

What seasonings bring out the flavor of chicken?

Garlic! Citrus juices such as lemon or lime and herbs like oregano, thyme, basil, and rosemary add and enhance the flavor of chicken too.

Should you use dried herbs instead of fresh in marinades?

Dried herbs have more intense and potent flavor than their fresh counterparts making them ideal for marinades.

How do you keep chicken moist and flavorful?

Don't overcook it. Use an instant read digital thermometer to check when chicken is cooked to perfection. It should have an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.