Some of the best suppers come from the plainest ingredients, and this 6-ingredient oven chicken is the kind of meal that reminds a home cook just how far a few pantry staples can go. Using frozen diced chicken makes it especially handy on busy days when there is no time for thawing, and the simple creamy, savory coating bakes right onto the chicken for a comforting dish with plenty of flavor and hardly any fuss at all.
This chicken is mighty good served over hot rice, buttered egg noodles, or a pile of mashed potatoes to soak up the extra sauce. A simple green bean side, buttered corn, or a crisp garden salad rounds it out nicely, and if you want to stretch the meal a bit farther, warm biscuits or thick slices of bread fit right in at the table.
6-Ingredient Oven Chicken
Servings: 4
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds frozen diced chicken
1 can (10 1/2 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 packet (about 1 ounce) dry onion soup mix
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly grease a ceramic baking sheet or shallow baking dish if needed for easier cleanup.
2. Spread the frozen diced chicken out in an even layer on the ceramic baking sheet.
3. In a medium bowl, stir together the condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, melted butter, garlic powder, and dry onion soup mix until well combined.
4. Spoon the mixture over the frozen chicken and spread it gently so most of the pieces are coated.
5. Bake uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes, stirring once about halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is bubbling and lightly golden around the edges.
6. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving, then spoon it over rice, noodles, or potatoes with your favorite vegetable alongside.
Variations & Tips
Add a vegetable: If you want an all-in-one pan supper, stir in a cup or two of frozen broccoli florets, peas, or sliced mushrooms during the last half of baking. That makes it feel a little more complete without much extra work.
Make it cheesier: A handful of shredded cheddar or mozzarella sprinkled over the top in the last 10 minutes of baking gives this dish a little extra richness and a nicely melted finish.
Watch the pan size: Try not to crowd the chicken too much. If the pieces are piled too deep, they will steam more than bake, and the sauce may stay thinner than you want.
Check doneness carefully: Because frozen diced chicken pieces can vary in size, use the bake time as a guide and make sure the chicken is fully cooked before serving. A quick stir halfway through helps everything heat evenly.
Change the base: This same chicken is wonderful spooned into baked potatoes, over toast, or tucked into split biscuits for a hearty country-style meal the next day.