When supper needs to be simple, filling, and made from just a handful of things, this 5-Ingredient Oven Chicken is the kind of dish that earns a permanent place in the recipe box. It has that practical Midwestern spirit I’ve always loved: stir everything right in the baking dish, slide it into the oven, and let supper take care of itself. Using raw ground chicken gives you a tender, savory bake that soaks up all the flavor of the sauce and vegetables, making a cozy family meal out of very little fuss.
This dish is especially nice with buttered rice, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes to catch every bit of the savory juices. A simple green salad, steamed green beans, or roasted carrots round it out beautifully, and if you want to stretch it for hungry folks, a basket of warm dinner rolls on the table never hurts a thing.
5-Ingredient Oven Chicken
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds raw ground chicken
1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
1 packet dry onion soup mix
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch glass baking dish if you like easier cleanup.
2. Add the raw ground chicken, condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, frozen mixed vegetables, and dry onion soup mix right into the baking dish.
3. Stir everything together thoroughly with a sturdy spoon until the chicken is broken up and the mixture is evenly combined across the dish.
4. Spread the mixture into an even layer and bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes, stirring once about halfway through, until the chicken is fully cooked and the top is bubbling around the edges.
5. Let the dish rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving, then spoon it onto plates or over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.
Variations & Tips
Add a crunchy topping: If you have a little more than five ingredients to work with, a scattering of buttered breadcrumbs or crushed crackers over the top for the last 10 minutes of baking gives this soft, creamy dish a mighty nice contrast.
Make it heartier: This casserole can be stretched with cooked rice stirred in after baking or served over buttered noodles if you need to feed a few extra people around the table.
Use different vegetables: Frozen peas and carrots, mixed vegetables, chopped broccoli, or even green beans all work well here. Just keep the amount about the same so the casserole stays nicely balanced and not too watery.
Check for doneness: Because ground chicken starts out pale and soft, be sure to break it up well while mixing and stir once during baking so it cooks evenly. The finished casserole should be hot and bubbling, with no pink remaining.
Season to taste: The onion soup mix brings a good bit of flavor on its own, but a little black pepper, parsley, or paprika at the table can brighten things up if your family likes a little extra something.