When people search for easy chicken dinner recipes, they usually want three things: simple ingredients, great flavor, and little cleanup. This Oven Baked 3-Ingredient Chicken Continental is the reason it’s been around for generations.
I came across this recipe at a busy time in my life. Work was busier than ever, the evenings shorter, dinner often the most stressful time of the day. I wanted it to taste homemade, but not take the time of homemade.
One night I opened the pantry and there was a bottle of French dressing beside a packet of onion soup mix. I had chicken breasts in the fridge that needed using up. Those ingredients didn’t look that impressive at first glance. Still I decided to give them a try.
I combined the dressing and soup mix, then poured the mixture on top of the chicken and slid the baking dish into the oven. And then I walked away. No chopping vegetables. No fancy spice blends. No measuring cups piling up on the counter.
The smell of dinner slowly filled the kitchen as it baked. The onion soup mix was deep and savory, and the French dressing was sweet and tangy, and just balanced everything perfectly.
The smell took me back to the casseroles and baked chicken dishes that were often served at family gatherings during my childhood. There was no attempt to impress anyone with fancy ingredients in those meals. They were about comfort and practicality and flavor.
That’s the whole point of this recipe. When the timer went off I took the dish out of the oven and immediately saw how tender the chicken looked. The sauce had thickened a little and coated each piece with flavour.
The smell had been a giveaway and the first taste confirmed it. This recipe did work. The chicken was juicy and the sauce rich and savory, and it all came together with a minimum of effort.
I’ve made this dish a million times since then. Sometimes I serve it with rice. Sometimes I serve it with mashed potatoes. Other times I just add a vegetable on the side and call it dinner.
No matter how I make it it always comes out the same, clean plates and pleas to make it again. That’s the beauty of simple recipes. They don’t employ fancy techniques or expensive ingredients. They depend on combinations that simply work.
This recipe remains one of my favorite answers to questions such as:
- What to make for dinner tonight?
- How to make simple baked chicken?
- How to make chicken taste better without a lot of work
- What are the best family meals for a budget?
This recipe answers them all.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ 3 simple ingredients
✔ Budget-friendly family meal
✔ Perfect for those busy weeknights
✔ Easy oven baked chicken recipe
✔ Little clean up
✔ High protein dinner option
✔ Perfect for meal prep
Ingrediant:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 envelope onion soup mix
- 1 cup French dressing
Instructions
Step 1:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly.
Step 2:
- Put the chicken breasts in the baking dish.
Step 3:
- Mix the French dressing and onion soup mix in a bowl.
- Blend until combined.
Step 4:
- Spread the mixture evenly on the chicken.
Step 5:
- Bake uncovered 40 to 45 minutes or until chicken reaches 165°F at the center.
Step 6:
- Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Pour the sauce over each serving.
Expert Advice
- If you like dark meat, use chicken thighs.
- Serve with rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Add carrots or potatoes in the baking dish and serve as an all-in-one meal.
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- For bigger families you can easily double the recipe.
Best Sides
This easy baked chicken goes well with:
- Mashed potatoes with garlic
- Veggies that have been roasted
- Butter Noodles
- Green beans, steamed
- Rice Pilaf Garden Salad
Final Thoughts
Oven Baked 3-Ingredient Chicken Continental is proof that you don’t need complicated ingredients or expensive grocery lists to make great meals. A simple combination of chicken, onion soup mix and French dressing makes for a flavorful and comforting dinner that fits busy schedules and family budgets. So if you’re looking for easy dinner recipes, cheap family meals or easy chicken breast recipes, this is a dish that needs to be in your regular rotation.
