3-Ingredient Chicken Charleston

This 3-Ingredient Chicken Charleston is one of the easiest baked chicken dinners on RecipesNeed. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs bake over sweet onion rings beneath a coating of Russian dressing, giving you juicy chicken and a flavorful pan sauce with almost no prep.

The original version we created uses only three ingredients: 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, 1 large sweet onion, and 1 cup Russian dressing. It bakes uncovered at 350°F for about 45 to 50 minutes, then rests briefly before serving.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken Dinner

There is almost nothing to measure, no complicated marinade, and no stovetop step. The sweet onions soften under the chicken and soak up the juices while the Russian dressing gives the thighs a glossy, savory-sweet coating.

How to Make Chicken Charleston

Slice the sweet onion into rings and spread them across the bottom of the baking dish. Arrange the chicken thighs over the onions, then spoon the Russian dressing evenly over the top so every piece is coated.

Bake uncovered at 350°F for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F in the thickest part. Let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving so the juices settle back into the meat.

Tips for Juicy Baked Chicken Thighs

• Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for the original recipe.
• Cut the onion rings to a similar thickness so they soften evenly.
• Coat the tops of the chicken well with dressing.
• Check doneness in the thickest part of the thigh.
• Rest the chicken for 5 minutes before serving.

What to Serve with It

Rice, mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or a simple vegetable all work well because they give you something to serve with the onion-and-dressing sauce from the pan.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Chicken Charleston take?

Plan on about 10 minutes of prep, 45 to 50 minutes of baking, and a short 5-minute rest.

How do I know the chicken is done?

The thickest part of the chicken should reach 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.

3-Ingredient Chicken Charleston Recipe

Juicy bone-in chicken thighs bake over sweet onions beneath a flavorful coating of Russian dressing. This incredibly easy three-ingredient dinner creates tender chicken, caramelized onions, and a sweet and tangy pan sauce in one baking dish.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Resting Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

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

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven. Set the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a small amount of oil.
• Add the onions. Separate the sliced onion into rings and arrange them in an even layer across the bottom of the baking dish.
• Position the chicken. Set the chicken thighs over the onions in a single layer with the skin facing upward.
• Add the dressing. Spoon the Russian dressing over the chicken, spreading it across the tops so each thigh is generously coated.
• Bake the chicken. Place the dish in the oven and bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the chicken is browned and the thickest part reaches at least 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer.
• Rest before serving. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
• Serve. Place a chicken thigh on each plate with some of the tender onions, then spoon the flavorful sauce from the baking dish over the top.

Notes

For extra browning, the chicken can be placed briefly under the broiler at the end of cooking, but watch it carefully because the dressing contains sugar and can darken quickly.

Cooking times can vary depending on the size of your chicken thighs, so internal temperature is the best way to judge doneness.