26 Oven-Baked Chicken Recipes That Are Anything But Boring

Try something new for supper tonight

By

Kimberly Holland

Updated on July 8, 2024

honey garlic chicken and mashed potatoes with brussels sprouts — Photo:
Victor Protashio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

If you've got chicken in the freezer or refrigerator but are fresh out of inspiration, you've come to the right place. The ever-reliable baked chicken dinner is a weeknight mainstay—but even your favorite chicken recipes can get a little stale after awhile. So turn on the oven and try something new tonight.

These baked chicken recipes don't require any special effort or ingredients. And there's a cut for everyone, whether you prefer dark or white meat. Have less than an hour? Our Baked Chicken Caprese is a whole meal that only takes about 30 minutes. Looking to feed a crowd? Our Hot Chicken Salad serves 12. Some of these baked chicken recipes are made entirely in one pot; some come together alongside vegetables on a sheet tray. We've also included comforting classics like Chicken Pot Pie, Roasted Chicken with Apples and Herbs, and Quick King Ranch Chicken Skillet.

Making one of these baked chicken dinners is easy—choosing which one is the hard part!

01 of 26

Chicken Lombardy

Chicken Lombardy — Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

A blanket of Fontina and mozzarella and savory, buttery mushrooms is an elegant upgrade for regular old chicken breasts. While the cutlets are breaded and pan-fried, they are finished in the oven until golden and tender.

02 of 26

Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Southern Living Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks on a platter and plate — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Sometimes simple is best, as is the case with this basic yet delicious drumstick recipe. Once you get the technique down, experiment with your favorite herbs and spices.

03 of 26

Roasted Spatchcock Chicken

Garlicky Roasted Spatchcock Chicken

Spatchcocking, removing the backbone of a whole chicken, helps the bird cook faster and makes it easier to carve up and serve.

04 of 26

Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Southern Living Chicken Parmesan Casserole after baking ready to serve — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

If you love chicken parmesan, but are looking for a lighter alternative, this recipe delivers. Chicken breasts are baked in marinara sauce and topped with cheese and herbed breadcrumbs.

05 of 26

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Southern Living Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole served on top of egg noodles — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Chicken, ham, and a Swiss cheese sauce blanket egg noodles in this simplified take on a classic dinner party dish. Swap out the egg noodles for rice, pasta, or any other grain, if you prefer.

06 of 26

Asparagus-Stuffed Chicken

Southern Living Asparagus Stuffed chicken ready to serve — Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Kelsey Moylan, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Wow company with the elegant presentation of this dish. Italian seasoning, Gruyère cheese, and roasted red peppers make this chicken anything but bland.

07 of 26

Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Chicken Parmesan Casserole — Photographer: Will Dickey Prop Stylist: Missie Crawford Food Stylist: Erin Merhar

Chicken breasts topped with mozzarella and buttery panko-Parmesan breadcrumbs are baked in a tangy tomato sauce for a simplified (and lighter) take on this classic Italian American dish.

08 of 26

Skillet Chicken Pot Pie With Puff Pastry

Southern Living Skillet Chicken Pot Pie with Puff Pastry in the dish with a serving out beside it — Brittany Conerly; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

Golden brown squares of puff pastry make a delicious blanket for this bubbling pot pie, and they don't require any dough making or rolling.

09 of 26

Oven-Baked BBQ Chicken

Oven-Baked BBQ Chicken

These baked chicken legs and thighs emerge from the oven sticky and caramelized. Save time and use your favorite bottled sauce, or take an extra few minutes to make our homemade version.

10 of 26

Chicken-And-Biscuit Casserole

Southern Living Chicken and Biscuit Casserole in the baking dish ready to serve — ï»¿Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Cheesy drop biscuits make your typical chicken pot pie even more comforting. The casserole is made with rotisserie chicken, but it's a great way to use up leftover chicken (or even turkey).

11 of 26

Honey-Garlic Chicken

honey garlic chicken and mashed potatoes with brussels sprouts — Victor Protashio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Honey, fresh ginger, chili-garlic sauce, garlic, and balsamic vinegar combine with a little butter to make a gorgeous glaze for chicken thighs. Whether you serve it with potatoes, noodles, or rice, this is a recipe you'll come back to again and again.

12 of 26

Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Southern Living Chicken Spaghetti Casserole in the dish to serve — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

For some Southerners, this dish is the height of comfort food. Cheddar and cream of mushroom soup combine to make a rich sauce that coats spaghetti noodles, vegetables, and shredded chicken. The dish only requires 15 to 20 minutes in the oven, so supper will be served in no time.

13 of 26

Sheet Pan Greek Chicken With Roasted Potatoes

Sheet Pan Greek Chicken with Roasted Potatoes — Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Tina Stamos

Perfect for feeding a crowd, this sheet pan dinner is bright, flavorful, and aromatic. Some reviewers go as far to say that it's restaurant worthy.

14 of 26

Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks — Antonis Achilleos

If you're in need of a basic chicken drumstick recipe, look no further. Make this the center of your plate and serve with your family's favorite side dishes, or a simple salad.

15 of 26

Baked Caprese Chicken With Green Beans And Corn

Baked Caprese Chicken with Green Beans and Corn — Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner

A complete dinner comes together on one sheet pan thanks to this clever recipe—and in just 35 minutes.

16 of 26

Quick King Ranch Chicken Skillet

Quick King Ranch Chicken Skillet — Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

We've given this Southern classic a fun update. Cheesy and ultra-rich, this King Ranch Chicken Skillet is one of our Tex-Mex favorites.

17 of 26

Chicken-And-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole

Chicken-and-Wild Rice Skillet Casserole — Hector Sanchez

Save this recipe for when you really want to impress. This hearty chicken and rice supper gets a fancy twist thanks to a rich gravy made with country ham and mushrooms.

18 of 26

Crispy Baked Chicken Wings

Crispy Baked Chicken Wings Recipe — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Great for a game day appetizer, late night snack, or even a fun supper these chicken wings come together in just 10 minutes of hands-on time.

19 of 26

Hot Chicken Salad

Hot Chicken Salad has all the flavor we love in the cold version of the dish, but it's upgraded to a dinner special with this easy recipe. The best part? It's topped with potato chips.

20 of 26

Baked Chicken Roulade

Baked Chicken Roulade — Photo: Jennifer Davick

Easy enough for a weeknight dinner and elegant enough for a special occasion, you can't go wrong with this Baked Chicken Roulade.

21 of 26

Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs

Southern Living Crispy Chicken Thighs on a plate with a salad on the side — Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Looking for the quickest way to make the crispiest chicken? Bake your chicken thighs on a wire rack.

22 of 26

Chicken And Stuffing Casserole

Chicken and Stuffing Casserole — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Chicken and stuffing were made for each other. This new take on a classic combination is sure to be a favorite at the dinner table, especially during the fall and winter months.

23 of 26

Oven-Fried Chicken Thighs

Oven-Fried Chicken Thighs — Photographer: Will Dickey

There's no disputing it, fried chicken is a Southern staple. But when you're not up to the clean-up required of the classic recipe, turn to this satisfying, mess-free version.

24 of 26

Baked BBQ Chicken

oven baked bbq chicken on a white plate — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

A homemade barbecue sauce (it's a simple stir-together recipe) and tender sweet onions make this dish a cut above the usual baked chicken recipes.

25 of 26

Baked Chicken Leg Quarters

Southern Living Baked Chicken Leg Quarters on a platter to serve — Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

A sweet and savory spice rub makes this inexpensive cut of chicken taste like something you'd order in a restaurant.

26 of 26

Oven-Fried "Everything" Chicken Drumettes

Oven-Fried “Everything” Chicken Drumettes — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

Coated in "everything" bagel seasoning, these oven-fried drumettes are a healthier alternative to their deep-fried counterparts.

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