This 5-ingredient oven chicken is the kind of dependable family dinner that helps on busy nights when you need something hearty without a lot of fuss. Using raw ground chicken pressed right into a baking dish keeps prep simple, and the finished casserole-style meal bakes up tender, flavorful, and easy to slice and serve. It has that comforting, budget-friendly feel so many Midwestern home cooks love, with just a handful of pantry and refrigerator staples doing all the work.
Serve this with buttery green beans, roasted broccoli, a simple side salad, or mashed potatoes if you want a fuller plate. It also pairs nicely with rice, buttered noodles, or warm dinner rolls to soak up the savory juices, and for a lighter meal I like to add fresh cucumber slices or a crisp coleslaw on the side.
5-Ingredient Oven Chicken
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds raw ground chicken
1 1/2 cups marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9x13 glass baking dish.
2. Press the raw ground chicken evenly into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into one flat layer from edge to edge.
3. Sprinkle the garlic powder and Italian seasoning evenly over the chicken, then spread the marinara sauce across the top in a thin, even layer.
4. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the sauce, covering the top as evenly as you can.
5. Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and lightly golden. Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Variations & Tips
For picky eaters: Keep the seasonings very mild and use a smooth marinara sauce without vegetable chunks. You can also serve extra sauce on the side instead of baking all of it on top if your family prefers a less saucy texture.
Cheese swap: Mozzarella gives this dish that classic stretchy topping, but a mix of mozzarella and provolone is also delicious. If you want a sharper flavor, add a small sprinkle of Parmesan right before serving.
Make it heartier: For a bigger casserole-style meal, serve the sliced chicken over cooked pasta or rice. That stretches the dish nicely and makes it especially filling for hungry kids and teenagers.
Baking tip: Because ground chicken is lean, avoid overbaking or it can turn dry. Check for doneness right around the 30-minute mark, and let the dish rest before cutting so the juices settle back in.
Easy cleanup: If you like, line the baking area under your dish with foil on the oven rack to catch any drips from bubbling sauce and cheese. It makes cleanup after dinner much easier.