Are you ready to unlock the secret to the most effortless and mouth-watering chicken dinner that practically cooks itself? Imagine pulling a dish out of the oven where tender, golden-brown chicken sits atop a pool of rich, creamy gravy - without any extra work! This magical recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal that will have your family begging for seconds. No complicated techniques, no endless prep - just pure, delicious comfort food that's about to become your new go-to weeknight dinner solution.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 1 hrs
Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Ensure the oven rack is positioned in the middle of the oven for even cooking.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This helps achieve a better golden-brown skin and helps seasonings stick better.
- Season both sides of the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage.
- Chop the onion into medium-sized pieces, creating uniform cuts for even cooking and flavor distribution.
- In a large baking dish, spread the chopped onions evenly across the bottom to create a flavorful base.
- Arrange the seasoned chicken thighs skin-side up on top of the onions, ensuring they are not overlapping.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup and chicken broth until smooth and well combined.
- Pour the soup and broth mixture over and around the chicken thighs, making sure to cover the bottom of the baking dish.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to help retain moisture during cooking.
- Place the covered dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken skin is golden brown and crispy.
- Check the internal temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer. It should reach 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
- Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist meat.
- The liquid in the bottom of the pan will have transformed into a rich, creamy gravy. Spoon this gravy over the chicken when serving.
Tips
- Pat the chicken thighs completely dry before seasoning to ensure crispy, golden skin and better flavor absorption.
- Don't skip the resting period after cooking - this crucial step allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the meat incredibly moist and tender.
- For extra flavor, consider adding some dried herbs like thyme or rosemary to your seasoning mix.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee perfectly cooked chicken - 165°F (74°C) is the safe internal temperature.
- If you want a thicker gravy, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch into the soup and broth mixture before baking.
- Choose bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum flavor and juiciness.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute low-sodium cream of mushroom soup and use reduced-sodium chicken broth.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 130mg
