My mother-in-law finally shared this after I begged her for a decade. She brought it to Easter dinner every single year.

This oven baked 4-ingredient creamy artichoke chicken is the kind of comforting, no-fuss casserole that shows up at every family holiday and quietly steals the show. My mother-in-law has brought this to Easter dinner every single year since before I joined the family, and I begged her for a decade before she finally wrote it down for me. It’s simple pantry ingredients stirred together and poured over chicken, then baked until the meat is tender and the top is golden and bubbly. It’s the kind of recipe you make when you’re short on time but still want something that feels special and a little nostalgic.

This dish is rich and creamy, so it pairs nicely with something simple on the side. I like to spoon the chicken and sauce over fluffy white rice or buttered egg noodles so every drop of that artichoke cream gets soaked up. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or steamed green beans with a squeeze of lemon helps balance the richness. Warm dinner rolls or a crusty baguette are great for sopping up the sauce, and if you’re serving it for a holiday like Easter, it fits right in alongside ham, roasted carrots, and deviled eggs.

Servings: 6

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4–6 pieces)

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an oval ceramic baking dish (about 2 to 2 1/2 quarts) with nonstick spray or a little oil so the chicken doesn’t stick.

Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If they are very thick, slice them in half horizontally so they bake more evenly. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, tucking the thinner ends toward the center so they don’t overcook.

Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper if using. Remember that the Parmesan and soup both contain salt, so you don’t need much.

In a medium bowl, stir together the drained artichoke hearts, condensed cream of chicken soup (straight from the can, do not dilute), and 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese until everything is evenly combined. The mixture will be thick and chunky.

Spoon the creamy artichoke mixture evenly over the chicken breasts, spreading it all the way to the edges so each piece is well covered. Sprinkle a small handful of extra Parmesan over the top for a nicely browned, cheesy crust.

Place the baking dish on the center rack of the preheated oven. Bake for 30–40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part. The sauce should be bubbling around the edges and the top lightly golden.

If you’d like a deeper golden top, switch the oven to broil for 2–3 minutes at the end of the baking time, watching closely so the cheese doesn’t burn.

Remove the dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for about 5–10 minutes. This helps the juices settle and the sauce thicken slightly. Serve the chicken breasts smothered in the creamy artichoke sauce, making sure to scoop plenty of the melted Parmesan topping over each portion.

To keep this close to my mother-in-law’s original, I’ve held it to four main flavor ingredients: chicken, artichokes, cream of chicken soup, and Parmesan. The salt, pepper, and oil are just basic helpers. If you want to play a bit, you can swap cream of mushroom soup for a slightly earthier flavor, or use half Parmesan and half shredded mozzarella for a stretchier, milder topping. For a little color and freshness, stir in a handful of chopped fresh parsley or a few sliced green onions into the sauce before baking. Picky eaters who shy away from artichokes might like the hearts chopped very finely so they blend into the sauce more. You can also make this with boneless, skinless chicken thighs; just allow a few extra minutes of baking time and still cook to 165°F (74°C). For a lighter version, use reduced-fat condensed soup and part-skim Parmesan, but keep in mind the sauce may be slightly thinner. Food safety tips: Always thaw chicken completely in the refrigerator, not on the counter. Use a clean cutting board and knife for the raw chicken and wash them with hot, soapy water before using them for anything else. Check doneness with an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the meat, avoiding the pan surface. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of baking, and reheat until steaming hot before serving again.