This oven baked 4-ingredient chicken commodore is the kind of old-fashioned company dinner that earns a permanent place in the family recipe box. It has that wonderful 1960s supper-club charm: simple pantry ingredients, very little hands-on work, and a rich, savory finish that tastes far more complicated than it is. It is especially nice when you want a dependable main dish for guests, church potlucks, or a family Sunday meal without spending the whole day in the kitchen.
Serve this chicken with fluffy rice, buttered egg noodles, or mashed potatoes to catch every bit of the sauce. A green vegetable like steamed green beans, peas, or roasted asparagus balances the richness nicely, and a crisp salad or chilled fruit plate makes it feel like a true summer company dinner. Warm rolls on the side are always welcome too.
Oven Baked 4-Ingredient Chicken Commodore
Servings: 6
Ingredients
6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
1 packet dry onion soup mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup cream of mushroom soup
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease an oval or 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Pat the chicken thighs dry and arrange them skin-side up in the prepared baking dish.
3. In a medium bowl, stir together the dry onion soup mix, sour cream, and cream of mushroom soup until smooth and evenly combined.
4. Spoon the sauce evenly over the chicken thighs, covering the tops well.
5. Bake uncovered for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the top is lightly golden with bubbling sauce around the edges.
6. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving so the sauce can settle slightly.
Variations & Tips
For extra color: Sprinkle a little chopped parsley over the top before serving. It freshens up the creamy sauce and gives the dish that special-occasion look with hardly any effort.
For picky eaters: If someone in the family is hesitant about visible mushroom pieces, use a smooth cream of mushroom soup and mix the sauce very well so everything blends together into a mild, creamy topping.
With chicken breasts: You can make this with boneless skinless chicken breasts, but start checking earlier, around 30 to 35 minutes, so they do not dry out. Thighs give the richest flavor and stay especially tender.
Make-ahead tip: Assemble the dish a few hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate. When it is time to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes first for more even cooking.
Sauce tip: If you would like a little more sauce for spooning over rice or noodles, add 1/4 cup milk to the mixture before spreading it over the chicken. The final dish will be a bit looser but still full of flavor.