When dinner needs to happen with very little effort, this 5-ingredient oven chicken is the kind of shortcut recipe that earns a permanent place in the weeknight rotation. Using frozen precooked chicken strips keeps prep minimal, while a handful of pantry staples turn them into a saucy, satisfying baked dish with plenty of flavor. It’s the sort of practical casserole-style meal that reflects modern home cooking at its best: convenient ingredients, familiar flavors, and dependable results.
Serve this chicken with steamed rice, buttered noodles, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables to soak up the savory sauce. A crisp green salad or simple green beans make a nice contrast to the rich baked chicken, and warm bread or biscuits are also excellent on the side if you want to stretch the meal for a hungrier table.
5-Ingredient Oven Chicken
Servings: 4
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds frozen precooked chicken strips
1 packet dry onion soup mix, about 1 ounce
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 cup diced onion
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a medium ceramic baking dish if desired for easier cleanup.
2. Spread the frozen precooked chicken strips in the baking dish and scatter the diced onion around and over the chicken.
3. In a medium bowl, stir together the dry onion soup mix, sour cream, and mayonnaise until smooth and evenly combined.
4. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and onions, then spread it gently so most of the chicken is coated.
5. Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the chicken is heated through, the onions are tender, and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
6. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving so the sauce can settle slightly, then spoon over rice, noodles, or potatoes.
Variations & Tips
Add vegetables: Stir in sliced mushrooms, frozen peas, or chopped broccoli for the last 15 minutes of baking if you want to make this more of a complete one-dish dinner.
Change the base: If you prefer a looser sauce, mix in a few tablespoons of milk or a little chicken broth before baking. For a richer finish, you can add a small handful of shredded cheddar during the last 5 minutes.
Watch the salt: Because precooked chicken strips and onion soup mix can both be well seasoned, taste before adding any extra salt. A little black pepper or paprika is usually enough if you want another layer of flavor.
Make it casserole-style: To stretch the recipe, fold the baked chicken mixture into cooked egg noodles or rice after it comes out of the oven, then return it to the dish for a few more minutes until everything is hot.