Creamy, Savory & Comforting!
When you need a hearty homemade dinner without a long ingredient list, this Oven-Baked 3-Ingredient Chicken is hard to beat. Juicy bone-in chicken is baked in a rich, savory sauce made with just condensed cream of chicken soup and dry onion soup mix.
The result is tender chicken surrounded by a creamy, flavorful sauce that tastes like classic comfort food. It’s budget-friendly, easy to prepare, and perfect for a busy weeknight when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
- 3–4 lb (1.4–1.8 kg) bone-in chicken pieces — thighs, drumsticks, or bone-in breasts
- 1 can (10.5 oz / 298 g) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 packet (1 oz / 28 g) dry onion soup mix
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken pieces thoroughly dry with paper towels. This helps the skin brown nicely while keeping excess moisture from diluting the creamy sauce.
3. Arrange the Chicken
Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, preferably skin-side up.
Leave a little space between the pieces so they cook evenly.
4. Make the Creamy Onion Sauce
In a medium bowl, combine the condensed cream of chicken soup and dry onion soup mix.
Stir until the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the soup. There is no need to add water.
5. Add the Sauce
Spoon the creamy onion mixture over and around the chicken.
For nicely browned skin, try to leave most of the chicken skin exposed rather than completely covering it with sauce.
6. Bake
Loosely cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
Bake for approximately 35 minutes.
7. Finish Baking
Remove the foil and continue baking for another 25–35 minutes, or until the chicken is beautifully browned and completely cooked through.
Check the thickest part of the chicken with an instant-read thermometer. It should reach 165°F (74°C), with the thermometer inserted away from the bone.
For crispier skin, leave the chicken uncovered during the final 10–15 minutes.
8. Rest and Serve
Remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for about 5 minutes.
Spoon some of the creamy onion sauce over each piece before serving.
What to Serve With It
The creamy sauce is delicious spooned over:
- Mashed potatoes
- White or brown rice
- Egg noodles
- Steamed vegetables
- Green beans
- Roasted carrots
- Corn
- Dinner rolls
Tips for the Best Results
Use bone-in chicken: Thighs and drumsticks are especially forgiving and stay juicy during baking.
Dry the chicken first: Patting the skin dry helps it brown better.
Don’t add extra liquid: The condensed soup provides the creamy consistency needed for this recipe.
Watch the salt: Onion soup mix and condensed soup can both be fairly salty, so additional salt usually isn’t necessary.
Let it rest: A short resting period allows the juices to settle and makes the chicken easier to serve.
Recipe Details
Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 60–70 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 20 minutes
Oven Temperature: 350°F (175°C)
Final Thoughts
This 3-Ingredient Oven-Baked Chicken proves that a satisfying family dinner doesn’t require a complicated ingredient list. With tender chicken, a creamy onion sauce, and almost no preparation, it’s an easy old-fashioned meal you’ll want to keep in your regular dinner rotation.