Oven baked 4-ingredient chicken Mayfield is the kind of back-pocket dinner that proves you do not need a long ingredient list to make something deeply comforting. This old-fashioned baked chicken dish leans on pantry staples to create tender pieces of chicken in a savory onion gravy, and it feels exactly like the sort of family recipe that gets requested year after year because it is easy, reliable, and full of cozy flavor.
Serve this chicken over mashed potatoes, buttered egg noodles, or fluffy white rice so none of the rich gravy goes to waste. A simple green bean side, roasted carrots, or a crisp salad balances the richness nicely, and warm dinner rolls are always welcome for scooping up the onions and sauce.
Oven Baked 4-Ingredient Chicken Mayfield
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 1/2 to 3 pounds bone-in chicken pieces
1 packet dry onion soup mix
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup water
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a blue and white casserole dish or a similar 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Arrange the chicken pieces in the prepared baking dish in a single layer, skin side up if using skin-on pieces.
3. In a medium bowl, stir together the dry onion soup mix, condensed cream of mushroom soup, and water until mostly smooth.
4. Pour the soup mixture evenly over the chicken, coating each piece as much as possible.
5. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 25 to 35 minutes more, or until the chicken is fully cooked and very tender and the sauce has deepened into a rich gravy.
6. Let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving, then spoon the gravy and onions over the top.
Variations & Tips
Use boneless chicken: Boneless chicken thighs work especially well if you want easier serving and slightly faster cooking. Start checking for doneness a little earlier since boneless pieces can cook more quickly.
Make the gravy smoother: If you prefer a more uniform sauce, whisk the soup mixture very thoroughly before pouring it over the chicken. A small splash of extra water can help loosen the condensed soup so it spreads more evenly.
Add extra onions: For an even more old-fashioned flavor, scatter a sliced onion in the baking dish before adding the sauce. The onions soften as the chicken bakes and make the gravy taste even richer.
Meal prep tip: You can assemble the dish a few hours ahead, cover it, and refrigerate until dinnertime. This is a great option for busy weekdays when you want something comforting ready to slide into the oven.
Serving tip: This dish makes the most sense with something starchy underneath it. Mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles turn the extra gravy into the best part of the meal instead of letting it sit in the pan.