This was the fancy dinner my mother made when the pastor came for supper. Still tastes just as elegant.

This oven baked 5-ingredient chicken bordeaux is my version of the kind of elegant-but-comforting dish my mom would make when the pastor came for supper or company was coming after church. It looks and tastes like you fussed all afternoon, with tender chicken in a deep burgundy wine sauce, pearl onions, and herbs, but it’s simple enough for a weeknight. Everything bakes together in one casserole dish, filling the house with that cozy, special-occasion smell that makes everyone wander into the kitchen asking when dinner will be ready.

Serve this chicken bordeaux straight from the white casserole dish at the center of the table with a big spoon for scooping up the sauce. It’s wonderful over mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or a simple rice pilaf so all that burgundy sauce has something to soak into. Add a green vegetable like roasted green beans, steamed broccoli, or a crisp side salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness. If you like, warm up a loaf of crusty bread to swipe through the pan juices, and pour a glass of the same red wine you used in the dish for the adults at the table.

Servings: 4

2 1/2 to 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks (about 6–8 pieces)

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch or similar-sized white oval casserole dish with a little olive oil or nonstick spray so the chicken doesn’t stick.

Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This helps the skin brown and keeps the sauce from getting watery. Season the chicken all over with the kosher salt and black pepper, rubbing it in a bit so it sticks.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken pieces, skin side down, and sear for 4–5 minutes, until the skin is golden brown. Flip and sear the other side for 3–4 minutes. You don’t need to cook the chicken through here; you’re just building flavor and color. Work in batches if your pan is small so you don’t crowd the chicken.

Transfer the seared chicken pieces to the casserole dish, arranging them in a single layer, skin side up. Nestle them in fairly snugly so the dish looks full and homey.

Sprinkle the frozen pearl onions evenly around and between the chicken pieces in the casserole dish. They’ll soften and sweeten as they bake and soak up the wine sauce.

In a measuring cup or small bowl, stir the red wine together with the dried herbes de Provence (or thyme/rosemary blend). Pour this mixture gently around the chicken and onions in the casserole dish, trying not to wash off too much of the seasoning on the chicken skin. The liquid should come about halfway up the sides of the chicken pieces, not completely submerge them.

Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, allowing the chicken to braise in the wine until very tender and the sauce turns a deep burgundy color.

After 45 minutes, carefully remove the foil (watch for steam). Spoon some of the wine sauce over the chicken pieces, then return the uncovered dish to the oven. Bake for another 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is very tender, the meat is starting to pull away from the bone, and the sauce has reduced slightly. The internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken should reach at least 165°F (74°C).

If you’d like the skin a bit more golden, you can place the casserole under the broiler for 2–3 minutes at the end, watching closely so it doesn’t burn. This step is optional but makes the dish look extra special.

Let the chicken rest for about 5–10 minutes out of the oven so the juices settle and the sauce thickens slightly. Bring the casserole to the table with a large silver serving spoon, gently pulling at a piece of chicken to show how the meat is falling off the bone and spooning plenty of the burgundy sauce and pearl onions over each portion.

For picky eaters, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of bone-in pieces; just reduce the covered baking time to about 30 minutes and then bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes more, checking for doneness. If your family isn’t fond of pearl onions, swap them for thick-sliced yellow onions or halved baby carrots for a sweeter, milder flavor. To keep things budget-friendly, any dry red wine works—look for something you’d enjoy drinking but not too pricey; avoid sweet wines, as they can make the sauce cloying. If you prefer to cook without alcohol, you can use a mix of low-sodium chicken broth and a splash of grape juice or red wine vinegar, though the flavor will be a bit different and less traditionally “Bordeaux.” For a creamier version, stir in 2–3 tablespoons of cold butter to the hot sauce right after baking to give it a silky finish. Food safety tips: Always keep raw chicken separate from other ingredients and wash your hands, cutting boards, and knives with hot, soapy water after handling it. Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part, not touching the bone. If you use frozen pearl onions, don’t thaw them on the counter; add them straight from the freezer. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking and use them within 3–4 days, reheating until steaming hot before serving.