This 5-Ingredient Oven Chicken is the kind of dependable dinner that helps busy nights feel a little easier. Everything comes together right in one glass baking dish with raw diced chicken and a handful of simple pantry staples, so there is very little prep and cleanup. The sauce bakes into the chicken and vegetables, making a cozy, family-friendly meal with lots of flavor and hardly any fuss.
Serve this saucy chicken over rice, buttered noodles, mashed potatoes, or fluffy couscous to catch every bit of the sauce. A simple green salad, steamed green beans, or roasted broccoli rounds it out nicely, and a piece of warm bread on the side is always welcome for a hearty supper.
5-Ingredient Oven Chicken
Servings: 4 to 6
Ingredients
2 pounds raw chicken breast or chicken thighs, diced into bite-size pieces
1 cup bright red pasta sauce or marinara sauce
1 cup small round vegetables such as cherry tomatoes or drained baby potatoes
1 packet dry Italian dressing seasoning mix
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch glass baking dish.
2. Add the diced raw chicken to the baking dish. Pour the pasta sauce over the top, add the small round vegetables, and sprinkle in the dry Italian dressing seasoning. Toss everything together right in the dish until the chicken is well coated.
3. Spread the mixture into an even layer. Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
4. Remove the dish from the oven, sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over the top, and return it to the oven for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
5. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Spoon over rice, noodles, or potatoes if you like.
Variations & Tips
For picky eaters: If your family prefers plainer flavors, use baby potatoes instead of tomatoes and choose a mild marinara sauce. You can also serve the sauce on the side for anyone who likes a less saucy plate.
Cheese swap: Mozzarella gives this dish a classic melty finish, but Monterey Jack, provolone, or an Italian blend all work well too. If you want a little sharper flavor, stir in a spoonful of grated Parmesan before baking.
Add more vegetables: Bell pepper chunks, zucchini, mushrooms, or onion can be added to stretch the meal. Just keep the pieces fairly uniform so everything cooks evenly alongside the diced chicken.
Check doneness: Because diced chicken cooks quickly, start checking it at the 25-minute mark. The safest way is to make sure the center of the chicken pieces reaches 165°F.
Make it a complete casserole: To turn this into an all-in-one bake, stir in cooked rice or cooked pasta before adding the cheese. It is a nice way to use up leftovers and make the dish even heartier for hungry families.