This 5-ingredient oven chicken is the kind of weeknight dinner that saves me when the day gets busy and I still want something warm, filling, and homemade on the table. Using raw chicken tenderloins keeps the prep simple and the cooking time short, while a handful of pantry staples turns everything into a flavorful baked dish right in one glass casserole dish with hardly any cleanup.
Serve this easy chicken with rice, buttered noodles, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables to soak up the extra juices in the pan. If you want to round it out into a full meal, a simple green salad, steamed broccoli, or garlic bread all pair nicely and make it feel a little more special without adding much work.
5-Ingredient Oven Chicken
Servings: 4
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds raw chicken tenderloins
1 packet dry Italian dressing seasoning mix
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a rectangular glass casserole dish if desired for easier cleanup.
2. Arrange the raw chicken tenderloins in an even layer in the casserole dish.
3. In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese, dry Italian dressing seasoning mix, and garlic powder until combined.
4. Spread the mixture evenly over the chicken tenderloins so they are well coated.
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 slightly.
Variations & Tips
Add a crunchy topping: For a little texture, sprinkle a small handful of plain or Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs over the top during the last 10 minutes of baking so the surface gets lightly crisp.
Use chicken breasts: If tenderloins are not what you have on hand, sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts work well too. Just make sure the pieces are similar in thickness so they cook evenly.
Meal prep tip: You can mix the topping ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for a day, then spread it over the chicken right before baking. That makes this recipe especially handy on a packed worknight.
Make it extra savory: A light sprinkle of extra Parmesan on top before baking adds a little more golden color and richer flavor without changing the simplicity of the recipe.