When I need a low-effort dinner that still feels like I really pulled something together, this 5-ingredient oven chicken is one of my favorite back-pocket meals. Raw skinless chicken thighs bake up juicy and flavorful in a simple sauce made from everyday pantry staples, and the whole thing comes together right in a glass casserole dish. It is the kind of practical recipe that works on a busy weeknight but still tastes like something you planned ahead for.
This chicken is especially good with rice, mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or roasted vegetables so you can soak up every bit of the savory sauce. For an easy Midwest-style dinner, I like serving it with green beans or a simple side salad and a piece of warm bread to round everything out without adding much extra work.
5-Ingredient Oven Chicken
Servings: 6
Ingredients
2 pounds raw skinless chicken thighs
1 packet dry onion soup mix
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup apricot preserves
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a rectangular glass casserole dish.
2. Arrange the raw skinless chicken thighs in a single layer in the prepared casserole dish.
3. In a small bowl, stir together the dry onion soup mix, barbecue sauce, apricot preserves, and Dijon mustard until smooth.
4. Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken thighs, turning the pieces a little if needed so they are well coated.
5. Bake uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F in the thickest part and the sauce is bubbling and slightly caramelized around the edges.
6. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving, then spoon some of the sauce from the dish over the top.
Variations & Tips
Use a different jam: If you do not have apricot preserves, peach preserves or orange marmalade work well too. They give the sauce that sweet-savory balance that makes this chicken taste like more than the sum of its parts.
Add vegetables: Tuck baby carrots, sliced onions, or chunks of potatoes around the chicken before baking if you want more of a one-pan dinner. Just make sure the vegetables are cut into fairly small, even pieces so they cook through in time.
Make it meal-prep friendly: This chicken reheats really well, which is a lifesaver during a busy workweek. Store leftovers with extra sauce and serve over fresh rice or alongside steamed vegetables for quick lunches.
Check doneness carefully: Chicken thighs stay juicy, but they still need to reach 165°F for safe serving. If your thighs are especially large, give them a few extra minutes and baste once near the end for even more flavor on top.