Toss frozen chicken patties in the deep baking dish and 2 simple additions to get a meal so delicious your guests will be begging for more.

This 3-ingredient oven chicken using frozen chicken patties is the kind of no-fuss supper I lean on when the day has gotten away from me but I still want something hot and comforting on the table. It starts just the way the headline promises: you line up those frozen patties in a deep baking dish, then add only two simple pantry staples to turn them into a bubbling, company-pleasing meal. It reminds me of the casseroles my Midwestern church ladies used to bring to potlucks—humble ingredients, baked slow and cozy, with a flavor that feels like home.

Serve these saucy baked chicken patties right from the deep dish with a big spoon, making sure everyone gets some of the creamy sauce. They’re wonderful over fluffy mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or plain white rice to soak up all that goodness. Add a simple green side like steamed peas, green beans, or a tossed salad, and maybe a pan of warm dinner rolls or buttered toast to round things out. A little cranberry sauce or pickled beets on the side adds that old-fashioned Midwestern touch.

Servings: 4

6 frozen breaded chicken patties

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a deep glass baking dish (about 9x13 inches) so the patties don’t stick.

Place the frozen chicken patties in a single layer in the deep baking dish. It’s fine if they’re snug, but try not to overlap them. This is your base, just like lining up cutlets for an old-fashioned baked chicken supper.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup and the milk until smooth and pourable. It should look like a creamy sauce, not too thick.

Pour the soup-and-milk mixture evenly over the frozen chicken patties, making sure each patty gets some sauce on top. The sauce will settle down around them in the dish as it bakes.

Cover the baking dish tightly with foil. This helps the patties heat through safely and keeps the sauce from drying out.

Bake, covered, in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. At this point, carefully remove the foil (watch for hot steam).

Return the uncovered dish to the oven and bake for another 15–20 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling around the edges and the chicken patties are hot all the way through. If using standard frozen breaded patties, they should reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C).

If you’d like a little more color on top, you can move the dish to the upper rack for the last 3–5 minutes of baking, watching closely so the sauce doesn’t scorch.

Let the dish rest for about 5 minutes after removing it from the oven. The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools, just like the comforting casseroles many of us grew up with. Serve the patties with plenty of sauce spooned over each portion.

You can dress this simple dish up in lots of homey, Midwestern ways without making it fussy. For extra flavor, stir 1/2 teaspoon each of garlic powder and onion powder into the soup and milk before pouring over the patties. If you like a little color, scatter 1/2 cup of frozen peas and carrots around the patties in the dish before adding the sauce; they’ll cook right along with everything else. For a slightly richer version, replace half of the milk with heavy cream or evaporated milk, or sprinkle a small handful (about 1/2 cup) of shredded cheddar or Colby Jack over the top during the last 10 minutes of baking. If you prefer a different soup, cream of mushroom or cream of celery both work nicely and give the dish a different old-fashioned flavor. For a bit of tang, stir in a spoonful of sour cream or a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the soup mixture. Food safety tips: Always start with fully frozen patties as directed on the package, and do not thaw them on the counter. Bake the dish until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165°F (74°C); a quick-read thermometer is handy here. Keep leftovers refrigerated in a covered container and use within 3–4 days, reheating until steaming hot before serving again. If the sauce thickens too much on reheating, loosen it with a splash of milk.