This 5-ingredient oven chicken is the kind of easy dinner that saves a busy weeknight without feeling plain or boring. Using raw chicken skewers right in a rectangular glass casserole dish keeps prep simple, and a handful of pantry staples turns everything into a juicy, flavorful meal with hardly any fuss. It is a practical, family-style recipe that feels hearty and comforting, especially when you want something filling with very little cleanup.
Serve this chicken with fluffy rice, buttered noodles, mashed potatoes, or warm bread to soak up the flavorful juices in the dish. For vegetables, simple roasted broccoli, green beans, corn, or a crisp garden salad all work nicely. If the casserole already includes colorful vegetables around the skewers, that makes it even easier to round out supper with just one easy side.
5-Ingredient Oven Chicken
Servings: 4
Ingredients
4 raw chicken skewers
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a rectangular glass casserole dish if needed.
2. Place the raw chicken skewers in the casserole dish and scatter the colorful vegetable chunks around them.
3. In a bowl, stir together the dry onion soup mix, Italian dressing, and barbecue sauce until well combined.
4. Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken skewers and vegetables, turning the skewers gently if needed so they are well coated.
5. Bake uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches 165°F in the thickest part. Baste once halfway through if you like.
6. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes, then serve the chicken skewers hot with the roasted vegetables and pan juices.
Variations & Tips
For picky eaters: If your family prefers plainer flavors, use less barbecue sauce and add a little extra Italian dressing for a milder finish. You can also keep the vegetables on the side instead of baking them in the same dish.
Vegetable swap: Bell peppers, onion chunks, zucchini, or baby potatoes all work well here. Just try to cut everything into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly alongside the chicken.
Make it saucier: If you want extra sauce for rice or noodles, mix up an additional half batch and spoon it over the chicken during the last 10 minutes of baking. This is especially nice if you like a glossy, stickier finish.
Check doneness: Since skewer size can vary, the best way to know the chicken is done is to use a meat thermometer. Make sure the center of the chicken reaches 165°F, and if the top is browning too quickly, loosely cover the dish with foil.
