This oven baked 3-ingredient chicken is one of those dependable church-supper classics that feeds a crowd, smells wonderful in the kitchen, and comes out with that sticky, sweet-and-savory glaze everyone seems to spoon over their rice. It has the kind of old-fashioned potluck charm that makes sense for busy families too, because the ingredients are simple, the prep is quick, and the oven does most of the work while you take care of the rest of supper.
Serve this chicken with fluffy white rice, buttered egg noodles, or mashed potatoes to catch all that glossy sauce. For vegetables, I like simple green beans, roasted broccoli, or a crisp salad to balance the sweetness. If you are taking it to a gathering, warm dinner rolls and a fruit salad make it feel like a full, welcoming meal.
Oven Baked 3-Ingredient Chicken Charity Ball
Servings: 6
Ingredients
3 pounds chicken pieces, such as drumsticks and thighs
1 cup French dressing
1 packet dry onion soup mix
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch glass casserole dish.
2. Pat the chicken pieces dry and arrange them in a single layer in the prepared casserole dish.
3. In a bowl, stir together the French dressing and dry onion soup mix until well combined.
4. Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken, turning the pieces once if needed so they are well coated.
5. Bake uncovered for 50 to 60 minutes, basting once or twice during cooking, until the chicken is browned, caramelized, and cooked through to 165°F.
6. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving, then spoon some of the sauce over the top.
Variations & Tips
Kid-Friendly Version: If your family prefers milder flavors, use all drumsticks since they are easy for little hands to manage and stay nice and juicy in the oven.
Make It a Full Meal: Tuck baby carrots or thick onion wedges around the chicken during the last 30 minutes of baking so they soak up some of that flavorful sauce.
Use What You Have: This recipe works well with bone-in thighs, drumsticks, or even a whole cut-up chicken. Just keep the pieces similar in size so they cook evenly.
Best Potluck Tip: If you are taking this to a church supper or family gathering, bake it in the same casserole dish you plan to serve from. It stays warm well, and the extra sauce at the bottom is always appreciated.
Serving Tip: For the prettiest plate, spoon the chicken over rice or noodles and finish with a little extra pan sauce right before it goes to the table.