Easy Baked Chicken

By Snejana Andreeva

on Apr 05, 2022, Updated Mar 26, 2024

5 from 6 reviews
Jump to RecipeRate Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Add as a preferred source on Google

My Easy Baked Chicken recipe is so easy you can practically make it with your eyes closed. Only 2 ingredients and 2 additional pantry staples. Staples like 🧂 salt, pepper, and olive oil don’t count as additional ingredients in the foodie world as they are ingredients we typically always have on hand. This dish takes 2 minutes to whip up and one second to devour. The 🍗 chicken is so flavorful and juicy you will be licking your fingers and wanting more.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love Easy Baked Chicken

Did I mention EASY and DELICIOUS? The time-to-yummy ratio is way in your favor with this Easy Baked Chicken recipe. No one will know it took you no time at all and the results are fantastic. Using 🍗 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs really helps ensure the chicken doesn’t dry out in the oven so you’ll get a juicy piece of chicken every time. The seasonings are simple and you can use whatever jarred 🌿 pesto or marinade you have in the fridge to amp it up.

How to Prepare Easy Baked Chicken

🔥 First, preheat the oven to 400°F (200F) and then add the chicken thighs to an oven-safe baking dish.

🫒 Next, add a touch of olive oil, pinch of salt, and pepper.

🍅 Now, add the sun-dried tomato pesto and then with clean hands massage everything very well.

⏲️ Next, bake it uncovered for 45 minutes to an hour or until nice and golden.

😋 Finally, enjoy with your favorite side dish!

Nonna’s Tip

Keep in mind that the sun-dried tomato pesto has salt, seasonings and cheese so I don’t want you to season the chicken too much. The pesto already has all of the salty and nutty components, and that’s what makes it the ultimate shortcut!

Easy Baked Chicken
Easy Baked Chicken

Variations and Substitutions for Easy Baked Chicken

  1. Feel free to use any pesto you love or even homemade pesto as well. The 🍅 tomato pesto recipe in my Sun Dried Tomato Pasta would be delicious here!
  2. You can certainly make this with chicken breast but you will need to reduce the time depending on the size. They will take anywhere from ⏲️ 15 to 25 minutes in the oven. I suggest using a meat thermometer. As soon as it reaches 165F you know it’s ready.
  3. I’ve kept the spices here really simple because the pesto has everything you need. You could add some additional 🧄garlic, onion powder, parsley or even paprika if you’d like.

Similar Recipes

Best Served With

Common Questions

Can i make this Easy Baked Chicken recipe with chicken breast?

Yes, you can certainly make this with chicken breast but you will need to reduce the time depending on the size. They can take anywhere from 15 to 25 minutes in the oven. The longer you cook a chicken breast, the dryer it becomes so please cook it accordingly or use a meat thermometer. As soon as it reaches 165F you know it’s ready.

What other kind of pesto would work in this Easy baked chicken recipe?

Feel free to use any jarred pesto you love. Switch it up with a traditional herb and parm pesto, a roasted red pepper pesto or an olive tapinade-style pesto. You could even use a homemade pesto such as the recipe in my Sun Dried Tomato Pasta or my Basil Walnut Pesto.

Can make this recipe in the air-fryer?

I haven’t tried this, but I don’t see why not! Read your manual on your air-fryer for the recommended temperature and cook time and be sure to check the internal temperature to make sure it’s cooked to perfection.

Can i prep this ahead of time?

Yes, you can certainly prep this the night before. Marinate the chicken in the baking dish, wrap it up tightly and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, just remove the wrap and then pop it right in the oven to bake. 

5 from 6 reviews

Easy Baked Chicken

A white bowl containing three pieces of golden-brown Easy Baked Chicken, garnished with fresh basil leaves, placed on a light cloth with a gold fork in the background.
This recipe is so easy that you can practically make it with your eyes closed. Only 2 ingredients and 2 additional pantry staples. Plus, it only takes a few minutes to whip up and one second to devour. The chicken is so flavourful and juicy you will be licking your fingers and wanting more.
Rate ⭐ Print 🖨
Makes: 2
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Send This to Me!
VideoEquipmentIngredientsInstructionsNutrition

Video

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 6 bone in, skin on chicken thighs
  • ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon pepper, optional
  • 3 tablespoons sundried tomato pesto, or any pesto you like

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F and add the chicken thighs to an oven safe baking dish.
  • Add a touch of olive oil, pinch of salt, and pepper is optional.
  • Add the sun-dried tomato pesto and with clean hands massage everything very well. Bake it uncovered for 45 minutes to an hour or until nice and golden.
  • The bake time will depend on the oven so keep an eye on it. Mine took 45 minutes. Enjoy

My Notes

Add your personal notes here!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Easy Baked Chicken
Amount per Serving
Calories
1017
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
78
g
120
%
Saturated Fat
 
20
g
125
%
Trans Fat
 
0.4
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
15
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
32
g
Cholesterol
 
427
mg
142
%
Sodium
 
686
mg
30
%
Potassium
 
890
mg
25
%
Carbohydrates
 
4
g
1
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
2
g
2
%
Protein
 
71
g
142
%
Vitamin A
 
484
IU
10
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
57
mg
6
%
Iron
 
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

5 from 6 votes (4 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Leave Your Rating




The maximum upload file size: 5 MB. You can upload: image, video. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop files here

6 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This recipe is solid. I made it this past weekend for my husband’s trip from a 35 mile bike ride with the Wounded Warrior Project. And also as a meal prep for my son and his girlfriend who are both on a health and wellness journey. With just two store bought ingredients, it cannot be any easier. This always makes me look like a rock star!

    Reply

    1. What an amazing review, Laura, thank you! So glad everyone loved it. You are a rock star ⭐

      Reply

    1. Hi Love ! I just fixed it and put two links for you 🙂 P.s mine is store-bought in this exact recipe from Longos but feel free to make your own as well. Xox

      Reply