Juicy chicken thighs, French onion soup mix, Russian dressing, and apricot preserves combine in this easy 4 Ingredient Chicken Dish Recipe.
Okay, full confession: I made this 4 Ingredient Chicken Dish Recipe after a long road trip back home to Kansas City last month. You know how those Midwest highway diners call your name at 2 AM with their greasy fries and deep-fried everything? I was craving comfort food—like, real comfort—so I grabbed this old recipe my mom used to make. Except I forgot to thaw anything except the chicken thighs. No biggie, though. The apricot preserves and soup mix did their thing, and suddenly I’m sitting at the table with my family, smelling that sweet-savory sauce and feeling nostalgic. I even accidentally dripped some sauce on my sister’s new dress, and we all just laughed because, hello, family life. Those are the best meals, right?
Why You’ll Love This 4 Ingredient Chicken Dish Recipe?
Let’s be real—people dig easy wins, especially on weeknights. This 4 Ingredient Chicken Dish Recipe delivers major flavor with zero fuss. Bone-in thighs stay juicy and soak up the tangy-sweet sauce like champs. It’s tangy (thanks to Russian dressing), sweet (hello apricot preserves), a bit savory-oniony (soup mix), and oddly elegant for something you basically dumped and cooked. It’s like crispy-on-the-bottom meets glossy-sauce-on-top, and that combo is a crowd-pleaser. Plus, it practically cooks itself—giving you time to do whatever, even if that’s just scrolling TikTok instead of washing dishes. No judgment here.
Ingredient Notes:
Here’s what you need—and why each one matters:
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Bone-in chicken thighs – They stay juicy and flavorful, even after a long bake.
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French onion soup mix – Instant oniony depth without slicing 20 onions (who has time for that?).
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Russian dressing – Adds creamy tang and a hint of pickle-y zip.
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Apricot preserves – Gives that caramel glaze and a sweet contrast that makes the sauce pop.
How To Make 4 Ingredient Chicken Dish?
Let’s break it down like we’re texting through dinner prep:
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Preheat to 400°F. If your oven’s on the older side, maybe let it heat a minute longer.
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Spray a heavy-duty pan. Think cast iron or ovenproof dish. You want something that can handle sticky sauce.
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Make the sauce. Mix apricot preserves, Russian dressing, and the whole packet of soup mix. It’ll look weird, but trust it.
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Coat the chicken. Nestle thighs in the pan and pour that sauce over them. Spoon a little on each piece so they’re camping out in it.
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Bake 75–85 minutes. If you want, spoon extra sauce halfway through. I sometimes forget—then wonder why it’s extra saucy.
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Check temperature. Chicken’s ready when it hits 165°F inside. Sauce should be bubbling and golden at the edges.
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Rest and dig in. Let it chill a few minutes before serving—keeps the juices locked in and not all over your plate.
Storage Options:
Got extras? Even better.
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Fridge: Great for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven—easy midweek meal.
Want To Save This Recipe?
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Freezer: Slice the chicken off the bone, freeze with sauce in portions. Thaw overnight and reheat—instant yay.
Variations and Substitutions:
Let’s give this one some personality:
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Chicken swap? Go boneless if thighs freak you out—just reduce baking time a bit.
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Jam switch? Mango or peach preserves both work wonders.
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Hot tonight? Add a dash of sriracha for heat.
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No Russian dressing? Thousand Island or Catalina are fair game too.
What to Serve with 4 Ingredient Chicken Dish?
Here’s what I’d pair with this 4 Ingredient Chicken Dish Recipe:
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Rice or mashed taters – Total crowd-pleasers and the sauce loves them.
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Roasted veg – Brussels sprouts, carrots, or broccoli—your call.
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Crispy bread – For mopping up that sauce. Drool, right?
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Salad – Greens with vinaigrette feels light next to this richness.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I prep this ahead?
Yep! Coat the chicken tonight, bake tomorrow. Easy.
Is it sweet?
It’s balanced—sweet, tangy, savory. But if you’re not a candy lover, you can dial down the preserves.
Can I make it spicy?
Yes! Go ahead—hot sauce or red pepper flakes work great.
If you try this 4 Ingredient Chicken Dish Recipe, I really want to know. Did it hit the spot? Did your teenager actually say “thanks”? Did it end up on your go-to low-brain dinner rotation? Snap a pic, drop a comment, or just send an emoji. I’m here for all of it. Can’t wait to hear what you think!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
4 Ingredient Chicken Dish Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 packet French onion soup mix
- 8 ounces Russian dressing
- 1 small jar apricot preserves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare the baking dish by spraying a large, heavy-bottomed oven-safe pan or casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine the sauce: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the Russian dressing, apricot preserves, and French onion soup mix until well blended.
- Arrange the chicken: Place the chicken thighs in the prepared baking dish in a single layer, skin-side up if applicable.
- Coat the chicken: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken thighs, ensuring that each piece is thoroughly coated. Use a spoon to spread if necessary.
- Bake the dish: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 75 to 85 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C).
- Rest before serving: Allow the chicken to rest for 5 to 10 minutes after baking to retain its juices before serving.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
