3-Ingredient Chicken Charleston

What is Chicken Charleston?

Chicken Charleston is an easy baked chicken preparation built around chicken, onions, and a flavorful dressing-style sauce. This simplified version uses only three ingredients while still creating a sweet, tangy, savory pan sauce.

How do I know when the chicken thighs are done?

The most reliable method is an instant-read meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest portion of the thigh without touching the bone; the chicken should reach at least 165°F (74°C).

Chicken thighs often remain juicy even when cooked slightly beyond the minimum safe temperature. The exact cooking time can vary based on the size of the thighs, your baking dish, and your oven.

Can I make 3-Ingredient Chicken Charleston ahead of time?

You can arrange the onions and chicken in the baking dish several hours ahead and keep the dish covered in the refrigerator. For the best results, add the dressing close to baking time and place the casserole into the oven once the oven is fully preheated.

If the baking dish is very cold from refrigeration, cooking may take slightly longer. Check the internal temperature rather than relying only on the clock.

3-Ingredient Chicken Charleston

Juicy chicken thighs bake over tender sweet onions with tangy Russian dressing for an incredibly simple, flavor-packed dinner. This easy three-ingredient chicken recipe creates its own savory-sweet pan sauce right in the baking dish.

Prep Time10minutes mins

Cook Time50minutes mins

Rest Time5minutes mins

Total Time1hour hr 5minutes mins

Ingredients  

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

Instructions 

• Prepare the oven and baking dish. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish, or a similar-sized casserole dish, with cooking spray or a small amount of oil.
• Create the onion layer. Separate the sliced sweet onion into rings and spread them evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish.
• Arrange the chicken. Place the chicken thighs over the onions in a single layer, keeping the skin facing upward so the tops can brown as they bake.
• Coat with the dressing. Spoon the Russian dressing across the chicken thighs, distributing it evenly so every piece is well covered.
• Bake. Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes, or until the chicken is nicely browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh registers at least 165°F (74°C) without touching the bone.
• Rest and serve. Remove the baking dish from the oven and allow the chicken to rest for about 5 minutes. Serve each thigh with the tender onions and spoon some of the flavorful pan sauce over the top.

Notes

Choose chicken thighs that are similar in size so they finish cooking at roughly the same time, and keep them in a single layer to encourage even browning.