When it is brutally hot outside and I still need dinner to feel substantial, this kind of hands-off savory bake is exactly what I lean on. With just five ingredients, it delivers that sticky, deeply browned, almost barbecue-style finish without asking for much effort at all, which makes it perfect for a late July evening when standing over the stove sounds miserable.
This bake is especially good with simple, cooling sides like coleslaw, sliced tomatoes, cucumber salad, or corn on the cob. If you want to stretch it a little further, serve it over rice, buttery mashed potatoes, or thick toast to catch the extra glaze from the dish.
5-Ingredient Late July Laziness Charred Savory Bake
Servings: 4
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 cup barbecue sauce
1 packet dry onion soup mix, about 1 ounce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly oil a square glass baking dish with the olive oil.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the barbecue sauce, dry onion soup mix, and Worcestershire sauce until well combined.
3. Arrange the chicken thighs in the baking dish in a mostly even layer, then pour the sauce mixture over the top and turn the pieces to coat well.
4. Bake uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce is bubbling and starting to char around the edges. If you want extra dark caramelized spots, broil for 2 to 3 minutes at the end.
5. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving so the glaze thickens slightly and the chicken stays juicy.
Variations & Tips
Use pork instead: Boneless pork chops or pork shoulder steaks also work well here. Just adjust the bake time as needed and make sure the meat is cooked through before serving.
Make it sweeter or smokier: If your barbecue sauce is very tangy, use a honey-style sauce for a sweeter finish, or a hickory-style one if you want that backyard-cookout flavor without actually grilling.
Meal prep tip: You can mix the sauce in the morning and coat the chicken in the baking dish ahead of time, then cover and refrigerate it until dinner. That makes this an especially good option for a busy workday.
Easy cleanup: If baked-on glaze is your least favorite part, soak the dish with hot soapy water right after dinner. The caramelized sauce loosens much more easily if it does not sit overnight.