Dutch Oven Italian Chicken in Gravy
Dutch Oven Italian Chicken in Gravy is super easy to make whether out camping or during a busy weeknight dinner at home.
This post has been updated from its original May 16, 2017 publishing with new photography, content, and clarified recipe card.
Ok, I confess, the name Italian is a misnomer. It’s for the Italian salad dressing in the recipe, not for any authentic Italian cuisine.
Phew, ok, now that that’s off my chest, can I tell you how delicious this recipe is, even with it’s unusual combination of ingredients.
Tips for making Dutch oven chicken and vegetables
This recipe is super easy to make, but the tricky part is getting it to cook evenly. If the carrots or potatoes are too big, they’ll still be hard when the chicken is done.
If they’re too small, they could be mush. The worst is having the chicken overcook trying to get the veggies soft.
Baby carrots work really well in this recipe, but if they’re super fat, cut them in half lengthwise.
For the potatoes, I used baby golds and reds and cut them lengthwise then in half to make nice, but smaller wedges. If you’re using regular-sized potatoes, cube them into 1-inch or so pieces.
Chicken breast cut into tenders already make prep even easier, otherwise, you can cut a breast into anywhere between 4 and 6 strips.
How to make Dutch Oven Italian Chicken in Gravy
Prep your veggies and chicken first.
Add the carrots to the bottom of the Dutch oven.
Take care to fill in any major gaps or holes.
Place the chicken on top of the carrots in the Dutch oven.
You can layer them in rows or just toss them in if you’re in a hurry.
Shake, then pour the entire bottle of Italian salad dressing over the chicken.
Use a fork or spoon to work the dressing around and between the chicken pieces.
Scatter the potatoes over the chicken. You can mix the two up or keep them divided. However you roll, this dish will be delicious.
Pour the ginger ale and soy sauce over everything.
Make sure the potatoes are nestled far enough down to not touch the lid of the Dutch oven, as the potatoes that touch have a tendency to burn.
Cover, bake for an hour at 350°F.
If you’re camping, see notes in the recipe card for cooking directions.
Making a quick gravy in the pot
When the chicken and veggies are done, remove them from the Dutch oven. Allow as much of the cooking liquid to drip off and remain in the pot.
Cover and keep the meat and veggies warm while making the gravy.
Place the Dutch oven on the stove over medium-high heat. Slowly while stirring or whisking, pour in the heavy cream. Don’t pour it in too quickly or it could curdle.
Bring it to a simmer and whisk vigorously while slowly adding the cornstarch. Whisk until it has all dissolved and been incorporated to the creamy liquid.
Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, continue to stir while the liquid becomes a gravy.
Serve the chicken and vegetables and pour the gravy over the top of everything.
Dutch Oven Italian Chicken in Gravy
Equipment
- 5 qt. Dutch oven or larger
Ingredients
Chicken and Veggies
- 2 lbs. baby carrots (slice in ½ lenthwise if thick)
- 3 lbs. chicken breast cut into tenders
- 16 oz. Italian salad dressing
- 1½ lbs. yukon gold potatoes cubed
- 1½ lbs. red potatoes cubed
- 12 oz. ginger ale
- 5 oz. soy sauce
Gravy
- liquid from cooking
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 tbsp parsley chopped; OPTIONAL
Instructions
Assembly
- Add the carrots to the bottom of the Dutch oven.
- Layer the chicken over the carrots.
- Pour the bottle of salad dressing over the chicken evenly.
- Layer the potatoes over the dressed chicken.
- Pour the ginger ale and soy sauce over the potatoes.
- Cover with the lid, taking care that no potatoes touch the lid or they will burn.
Oven baked
- Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
- Assemble the recipe; see above.
- Bake for 60 minutes or until chicken reaches 165°F and veggies are soft.
Outdoor camp oven
- Heat coals in a charcoal chimney.
- Once hot, place 12 coals on bottom (camp table, fire pit, etc).
- Nestle camp oven on top of the coals.
- Assemble the recipe; see above.
- Cover with the camp oven lid.
- Place heated coals over the entire lid.
- Cook for 60 minutes.
- Using a lid lifter, check for doneness, chicken reaching 165°F.
- If not done, cook up to an additional 15 minutes or until done.
- When done, remove from coals.
Making the Gravy
- Remove the chicken and vegetables from the Dutch oven; set aside, cover, and keep warm.
- Return the Dutch oven to the coals, camp stove, or stovetop over medium-high heat.
- Slowly stir in the heavy cream.
- Slowly whisk in the cornstarch and bring to a boil.
- Allow to boil or if possible reduce heat to medium and allow to simmer for 5 mintues.
- Plate the chicken and veggies and pour over the gravy.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Dutch Oven Daddy is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Hearty one-pot meals
We all love being able to toss it all in one pot and come back to a full meal. Here’s a few others you might enjoy.
- Mexican Chicken Sweet Potato Skillet
- Creamy Chicken Divan from The Rockstar Mommy
- Skillet Barbecue Chicken n’ Sausage
- Cowboy Steak and Beans from The Complete Savorist
- Skillet Chicken Enchilada Pie
- Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna from The Magical Slow Cooker
- Rosemary Shrimp and Sausage Skillet
- Creamy Mushroom Chicken Thighs Skillet from Family Fresh Meals
- No Peek Beef Tips & Gravy from Aunt Bee’s Recipes
This is my go to “I don’t know what I want to make for dinner” recipe. I’ve swapped the carrots for green beans! Just as delicious. Thank you for this recipe!
Woah! Awesome substitution! I bet that was amazing!! Thanks for sharing!
I potatoes and carrots look great. Can’t wait to try this one.
Amazing, cooking the chicken with ginger ale makes all the difference! Thanks for the recipe!
This was awesome! Easy to make and super tasty! Thanks for the recipe!
I loved the idea of layering the ingredients and how simple this recipe is too. Couldn’t wait to try it and we all loved it. The combination of flavours was so tasty.
The flavours in this are amazing. Such a great way to cook chicken too.
It doesn’t get much cozier than this, my friend!! That gravy is AWESOME. Loving this for this time of year! Thanks for a great recipe.
Yuummm… such a delicious combination, and (I may be bias, but) there is something about cooking over coals that always imbues an extra layer of flavor. This recipe is definitely a keeper!
This is such a savory and hearty meal! Definitely hits the spot!
I love how this all comes together in one pot. Flavorful and simple!
That gravy is absolutely amazing! I can only imagine how delicious the chicken is with that gravy!
With a house full of hungry boys this recipe was an absolute hit on a cold rainy night. It came out delicious, satisfying but also packed full of protein and veggies for the kids!
If I could give this recipe more than five stars I would! I made it last night, and it was a huge hit. I love the flavor, and I haven’t had an occasion to use my Dutch oven in quite a while.
Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it was a savory success! Easy, hearty and hands down delicious; definitely, a new favorite recipe!
This is the BEST meal. Super easy, tons of flavor, and perfect for nights when you want a full meal, but don’t have time or don’t want to get too complicated. We all loved it!
This is the perfect recipe for Sunday dinner! Adding the parsley to the gravy gives it a delicious flavor.
I received a Dutch oven for Mothers’ Day so I had to try this recipe (my first time using it!). I made the recipe without any variations or substitutions and it was delish! The veggies and the chicken were cooked to perfection and the gravy is spot on. I will certainly make this Italian Chicken in Gravy again.
Looks like such a comforting, easy meal! I like that it’s all in one pot too.
This is such a delicious and filling comfort food for dinner! The ginger ale and Italian dressing are such unique ingredients that I would have never thought to use in a dish like this. Great recipe!
WHat a flavorful recipe for weeknight dinner! Thanks for sharing.
This looks amazing and such a treat! Thank you!
Now THIS is comfort food at its finest! Love how approachable this recipe is. It tastes like classic homecookin’, too. Which is such a treat. Everyone loved it!
yum! what a great and simple recipe. I really like the ginger ale in it
We had this chicken for dinner last night and my family LOVED it! So easy and delicious!
The gravy for this dish is heavenly! The chicken is juicy and flavorful and the veggies are tender. Definite win!
I absolutely loved the flavors in this chicken and that gravy turned out so creamy and good as well. Definitely a keeper!!