This 4-ingredient oven chicken is the kind of practical weeknight recipe many home cooks keep in regular rotation because it turns a pack of raw boneless skinless chicken breasts and a few pantry staples into a dependable dinner with almost no prep. Baking everything together in a glass casserole dish helps the chicken stay juicy while the simple sauce thickens around it, creating a savory, family-friendly main dish that works especially well on busy evenings.
Serve this chicken with fluffy rice, buttered egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables to catch the flavorful pan sauce. A crisp green salad, steamed broccoli, or green beans make easy vegetable pairings, and warm dinner rolls are especially nice if you want something to soak up every bit of the sauce from the baking dish.
4-Ingredient Oven Chicken
Servings: 4
Ingredients
4 raw boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 cup prepared Italian salad dressing
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch glass casserole dish if needed.
2. Arrange the raw boneless skinless chicken breasts in the glass casserole dish in a single layer.
3. Pour the Italian dressing evenly over the chicken, then sprinkle the Parmesan cheese and garlic powder over the top.
4. Bake uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part.
5. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving, then spoon some of the pan juices over each piece.
Variations & Tips
Add herbs: A teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning or a little chopped parsley added before baking gives the dish a fuller herb flavor and a fresher finish.
Use thinner cutlets: If your chicken breasts are very large, slicing them horizontally into thinner cutlets will help them cook more evenly and a bit faster.
Make it creamier: Stir a few tablespoons of mayonnaise or sour cream into the dressing before pouring it over the chicken if you want a richer, thicker sauce.
Check doneness carefully: Because chicken breast can dry out quickly, start checking the temperature at the 30-minute mark and remove the dish as soon as the center reaches 165°F.
Try a different cheese: Romano or an Italian cheese blend can be swapped in for Parmesan for a slightly sharper, saltier finish that still works well with the dressing-based sauce.