My brother taught me this 3 ingredient dinner and it is the only way I survive busy weeknights

This oven baked 3-ingredients Cajun butter chicken is exactly what I lean on when the day gets away from me and everyone’s asking what’s for dinner. My brother taught me this shortcut years ago, and it truly is the only way I survive busy weeknights when I’m juggling kids’ activities and work. With just chicken, Cajun seasoning, and butter, it bakes up in one glass casserole dish into juicy, golden chicken breasts with crispy, flavorful edges and a rich, spoonable sauce that tastes like you fussed for hours.

Serve this Cajun butter chicken straight from the glass casserole dish with a big spoon so everyone can drizzle that buttery sauce over their sides. It’s wonderful with fluffy white rice, buttered egg noodles, or mashed potatoes to soak up the juices. Add a simple green side like steamed broccoli, roasted green beans, or a tossed salad to balance the richness. Warm dinner rolls or garlic bread are a hit for dipping into the pan sauce, and if you like a little extra freshness, squeeze a wedge of lemon over the chicken just before serving.

Servings: 4

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds total)

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a 9x13-inch glass casserole dish on the counter so it’s ready to go.

Pat the chicken breasts dry on both sides with paper towels. This helps them brown better and keeps the seasoning from sliding off.

Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer in the glass casserole dish, leaving a little space between each piece so the heat can circulate.

Sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of the Cajun seasoning evenly over the tops of the chicken breasts. If your Cajun seasoning is very mild or low-sodium, you can add the optional salt now as well. Gently rub the seasoning over the surface of the chicken so it’s coated from end to end.

Pour the melted butter evenly over the seasoned chicken breasts, making sure some of the butter runs underneath and around the sides so it forms a shallow pool in the bottom of the dish.

Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning over the buttery tops of the chicken for a vibrant red-orange color and extra flavor. You should see the spices floating in the butter, which will become the sauce as it bakes.

Place the casserole dish on the middle rack of the preheated oven. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part. The butter should be bubbling, and the edges of the chicken will look slightly crispy and browned.

If you’d like a bit more color and crispier edges, switch the oven to broil for 2 to 3 minutes at the end of cooking. Watch very closely so the butter and spices don’t burn.

Remove the dish from the oven and let the chicken rest in the hot butter sauce for 5 minutes. This helps the juices settle so the chicken stays moist.

Spoon the Cajun butter from the bottom of the dish over the tops of the chicken breasts just before serving. Serve straight from the glass casserole dish at the table so everyone can help themselves and ladle extra sauce over their portions.

For picky eaters: If someone in your family is spice-shy, season one or two chicken breasts with just salt and a little melted butter, then bake them in the same dish, keeping them on one side so they don’t pick up too much Cajun flavor. You can also cut back to 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning and let everyone add more at the table. For extra richness: Add 1 to 2 additional tablespoons of butter if you like a very saucy dish to pour over rice or potatoes. For a lighter spin: Use 3 to 4 tablespoons of butter instead of 6, and add a splash of chicken broth to the pan before baking to keep things moist without quite as much fat. For more color and flavor: Toss a handful of sliced bell peppers and onion in a tiny bit of Cajun seasoning and lay them around the chicken before baking; this keeps it essentially a 3-ingredient main dish while adding built-in vegetables. You can also finish the baked chicken with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of chopped parsley for brightness. Make-ahead tip: You can place the chicken in the glass dish, sprinkle on the Cajun seasoning, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 8 hours. When you’re ready to cook, pour on the melted butter and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if the chicken is very cold. Food safety tips: Always wash your hands, cutting board, and any utensils that touch raw chicken with hot, soapy water before using them on other foods. Do not rinse raw chicken, as this can spread bacteria around your sink and counters. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part before serving. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours in a shallow, covered container and eat within 3 to 4 days, reheating until hot all the way through.