This oven baked 4-ingredient chicken Sorrento is the kind of family recipe that feels much fancier than the effort it takes. Passed down from an Italian mother in the 1950s and simple enough for a busy weeknight, it leans on a few classic ingredients to create tender chicken, a savory tomato sauce, and a bubbling layer of cheese that tastes like it simmered for hours. It is exactly the sort of comforting dinner I love keeping in rotation when I want something cozy without a long grocery list.
Serve this with spaghetti, angel hair, or crusty Italian bread to soak up every bit of the sauce. A simple green salad, roasted broccoli, or garlicky green beans round it out nicely, and if you are feeding a bigger group, a side of creamy polenta makes it feel especially hearty and old-school comforting.
Oven Baked 4-Ingredient Chicken Sorrento
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
24 ounces marinara sauce
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
1 packet Italian dressing seasoning mix
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a deep 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Arrange the chicken thighs in an even layer in the baking dish, then sprinkle the Italian dressing seasoning mix evenly over the top.
3. Pour the marinara sauce over the chicken, making sure each piece is well coated.
4. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes, until the chicken is nearly cooked through and very tender.
5. Remove the foil, sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over the top, and return the dish to the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the chicken reaches 165°F.
6. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving so the sauce settles slightly and the cheese stays beautifully melted over each portion.
Variations & Tips
Use chicken breasts: If you prefer white meat, use boneless skinless chicken breasts and pound them to an even thickness so they bake evenly. Start checking a little earlier since breasts can dry out faster than thighs.
Make it meal-prep friendly: You can assemble the chicken, seasoning, and sauce in the baking dish earlier in the day and keep it covered in the fridge. When dinner rolls around, just bake, add the cheese near the end, and serve.
Choose your sauce carefully: Since there are only four ingredients, the marinara really matters here. A well-seasoned tomato sauce with garlic and herbs gives the whole dish that long-cooked flavor without extra work.
Add a golden top: For a little more color, broil the dish for 1 to 2 minutes after the cheese melts. Keep a close eye on it so the cheese browns lightly without overcooking the chicken.
Keep the sides simple: This is a rich, saucy main dish, so I like to pair it with plain pasta, bread, or vegetables that will not compete with the flavors. It is also great spooned over polenta for a cozy Sunday-style dinner.