When you need dinner to be simple, filling, and family-friendly, this 5-Ingredient Oven Chicken is the kind of recipe that saves the day. Raw chicken tenderloins bake up quickly in a glass casserole dish with a handful of basic pantry staples, creating a juicy, flavorful main dish with barely any prep. It is the sort of comforting weeknight meal busy home cooks come back to again and again because it is affordable, dependable, and easy to pair with whatever sides you already have on hand.
This chicken is especially good served with fluffy rice, buttered noodles, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables so you can soak up all the savory pan juices. For a fresh contrast, add a simple green salad, steamed green beans, or sweet corn. If you are feeding kids, dinner rolls and sliced fruit round things out nicely and make the meal feel extra special without much more work.
5-Ingredient Oven Chicken
Servings: 4 to 6
Ingredients
2 pounds raw chicken tenderloins
1 packet dry onion soup mix
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch glass casserole dish.
2. Arrange the raw chicken tenderloins in an even layer in the prepared casserole dish.
3. In a medium bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese, dry onion soup mix, and garlic powder until well combined.
4. Spread the mixture evenly over the chicken tenderloins, coating the tops well.
5. Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
6. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving so the juices can settle, then spoon some of the pan sauce over the top when serving.
Variations & Tips
For picky eaters: If your family prefers milder flavors, use a little less onion soup mix and add a bit more Parmesan to keep the topping savory but gentle. Cutting larger tenderloins into smaller strips before baking can also make them easier for little ones to eat.
Add a crunchy topping: For a little texture, sprinkle a small handful of plain or seasoned breadcrumbs over the top during the last 10 minutes of baking. This gives the chicken a lightly crisp finish that feels a little extra special for supper.
Make it a full meal: You can tuck quick-cooking vegetables like broccoli florets or sliced zucchini around the chicken before baking, but do not overcrowd the pan. The vegetables soak up the flavorful juices and help turn this into an easy one-dish dinner.
Watch the bake time: Chicken tenderloins cook faster than larger cuts, so start checking early to keep them from drying out. If your tenderloins are especially thin, they may be done closer to 22 to 25 minutes depending on your oven.