This 5-ingredient oven chicken is the kind of dinner that saves a busy weeknight when you need something hot, filling, and easy with almost no prep. Using frozen chicken patties as the shortcut base keeps things simple, while a few pantry and fridge staples turn them into a cozy casserole-style meal with plenty of flavor. It has that practical Midwest comfort-food feel I always come back to when the day gets long and I still want dinner to feel homemade.
Serve this with steamed green beans, a quick side salad, roasted broccoli, or buttered corn for an easy family dinner. If you want to stretch the meal, spoon the cheesy chicken patties over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles so the sauce has something extra to soak into.
5-Ingredient Oven Chicken
Servings: 4
Ingredients
4 frozen chicken patties
1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch glass casserole dish if desired, then arrange the frozen chicken patties in a single layer.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, garlic powder, and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until combined.
3. Spoon the mixture evenly over the chicken patties, covering each one as much as possible.
4. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over the top. Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the chicken patties are heated through and the topping is bubbly and lightly golden.
5. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving so the sauce can settle slightly. Serve hot.
Variations & Tips
Add a crunchy topping: If you want a little texture, scatter a handful of crushed buttery crackers or seasoned breadcrumbs over the cheese during the last 10 minutes of baking.
Make it a full casserole: Tuck frozen mixed vegetables, thawed broccoli florets, or cooked rice around the chicken patties before adding the sauce to turn this into more of a one-pan meal.
Switch the cheese: Cheddar gives this a classic comfort-food flavor, but mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or a Colby Jack blend also work well if that is what you have in the fridge.
Meal prep tip: You can mix the sauce ahead of time and keep it covered in the refrigerator for up to a day. When dinner rolls around, just assemble the dish and bake.
Serving idea: For an extra hearty plate, serve the baked chicken patties over mashed potatoes or buttered noodles and spoon some of the creamy sauce over everything.