Oven Baked Chicken Commodore

Some  chicken dinners are complicated, some are just what you need when you want a warm homemade meal without spending the whole evening in the kitchen. This Oven Baked 4-Ingredient Chicken Commodore belongs to the second category. It comes together quickly with only four simple ingredients and bakes into a comforting, savory chicken dinner that feels so much more special than the amount of effort suggests.

I especially love recipes like this for busy week nights. No complex marinades, lengthy ingredient lists or multiple pans to wash up afterward. All you do is layer the chicken in a baking dish, top with the flavorful topping and let the oven do the rest. While it bakes, you have plenty of time to make a simple side dish or take care of all the other things going on around the house.

The finished chicken is juicy and tender and the rich coating provides plenty of flavor in every bite. This recipe is also easy to keep on hand for those evenings when you’re trying to make dinner from a few basic items in the pantry because the ingredient list is so short.

Serve this chicken with steamed rice, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, green beans or buttered noodles. Pair with a simple salad and warm dinner rolls and you’ll have a full family meal that’s not going to take a lot of extra work.

Chicken

Why This Chicken Commodore Works

• The best thing about this recipe is the sweet and savory flavor contrast.
• The apricot preserves lend it a fruity sweetness, while the onion soup mix gives the sauce a deep savoriness. The cream of chicken soup acts as a creamy base and helps keep the chicken moist as it cooks.
• You don’t need to make a separate sauce on the stove.
• Everything goes together in the baking dish.
• Which means less prep and a lot less cleanup after.

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• condensed cream of chicken soup 1 can
• 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer in the prepared baking pan. If the chicken breasts are especially thick, lightly pound them to an even thickness so they cook more evenly.
3. In a small bowl, mix the cream of chicken soup and mayonnaise until blended. Evenly spread mixture over the chicken breasts.
4. Top with shredded cheddar cheese. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and bake 30 to 35 minutes.
5. Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and lightly golden, and chicken is cooked thru.

6. Let the chicken rest 5 minutes or so before serving. Top each chicken breast with a small amount of the creamy sauce for extra flavor.

• Use Chicken Thighs Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs in place of chicken breasts. They help to keep the dish a little richer in flavor and tend to stay juicy when you bake them.
• Add A Crunchy Topping: For extra texture, top the cheese with crushed crackers or breadcrumbs before baking. As the chicken cooks, the topping will get a bit crisp.
• Add Vegetables: Sliced mushrooms or green beans, or broccoli can be added around the chicken for a simple one-dish dinner. Make the pieces on the small side so they have time to cook thru.