Easy Chicken in a Hurry (5-Ingredient Baked Chicken Recipe)

What Is Chicken in a Hurry?

Chicken in a Hurry is a classic American comfort dish that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. This easy weeknight chicken recipe transforms simple pantry staples into a sticky, glazed masterpiece that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

The concept is beautifully straightforward: whole chicken pieces get nestled into a baking dish, smothered in a tangy-sweet sauce made from ketchup, brown sugar, water, and dry onion soup mix, then baked until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender and the sauce becomes thick and glossy.

This 5-ingredient chicken bake has earned its place in family recipe boxes for generations because it solves the eternal dinner dilemma. You likely have everything you need in your pantry right now. There’s no marinating, no searing, and no complicated techniques. Just mix, pour, and let your oven do the heavy lifting while you handle homework, laundry, or simply put your feet up.

Whether you’re a busy parent racing against the clock, a beginner cook building confidence, or simply someone who appreciates a delicious meal without the fuss, this chicken in a hurry recipe delivers every single time.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken in a Hurry Recipe

This easy, family-friendly chicken recipe has stood the test of time for good reason. Here’s what makes it a weeknight winner:

The speed and simplicity are unmatched. With roughly 10 minutes of hands-on prep, you’re done. Toss everything in a dish, slide it into the oven, and walk away. The oven transforms those humble ingredients into something special while you focus on everything else demanding your attention.

Budget-friendly pantry ingredients keep this quick baked chicken dinner accessible to everyone. No specialty store runs, no expensive cuts, no fancy seasonings. Ketchup, brown sugar, and onion soup mix are staples most households already stock.

The kid-friendly sweet-and-savory flavor profile wins over even the pickiest eaters. That glossy, slightly caramelized sauce hits all the right notes without any heat or unfamiliar spices to cause complaints at the dinner table.

Finally, the leftovers are fantastic. The chicken reheats beautifully, making meal prep a breeze and tomorrow’s lunch something to actually look forward to.

Jump to Recipe

Ingredients for Chicken in a Hurry

Gathering what you need for chicken in a hurry takes just a minute. Here’s everything required:

• 3 pounds of whole chicken, cut into pieces.
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 ounce dry onion soup mix (1 packet)

That’s it. Five ingredients. No lengthy shopping lists, no searching for obscure items. Just straightforward, affordable components that come together to create something genuinely delicious.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Understanding each component helps you adapt this chicken in a hurry recipe to your preferences and what’s available in your kitchen.

The chicken: While a whole chicken cut into pieces gives you a beautiful variety of white and dark meat, this recipe works wonderfully with any cut you prefer. Chicken thighs deliver extra juiciness and are more forgiving if you accidentally overbake. Bone-in, skin-on pieces give you the richest flavor and crispiest edges where the sauce caramelizes.

Brown sugar: Light brown sugar provides the classic flavor, but dark brown sugar adds deeper molasses notes that complement the tangy ketchup beautifully. Either works perfectly here.

Ketchup: Standard ketchup is ideal. Avoid sugar-free versions, which can turn bitter when baked. Organic or name-brand varieties work equally well.

Onion soup mix: Lipton is the classic choice, but store brands work fine. For a lower-sodium version, look for reduced-salt options or use half a packet and add a bit of onion powder and garlic powder to compensate for the seasoning.

How to Make Chicken in a Hurry (Step-by-Step)

This section walks through exactly how to make chicken in a hurry from preheating your oven to pulling out perfectly glazed pieces. Follow these chicken in a hurry directions for foolproof results every time.

Step 1 – Prep the Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F. While it heats, grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray, butter, or a light coating of oil. This prep step for chicken in a hurry prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier later.

Step 2 – Arrange the Chicken

Place your chicken pieces in a single layer in the greased dish, positioning them skin-side up if using skin-on cuts. Avoid overcrowding; the pieces should have a little space between them for even cooking and proper sauce coating. Arranging chicken properly ensures every piece gets tender and glazed.

Step 3 – Mix the Sauce

In a medium bowl, combine the ketchup, water, brown sugar, and dry onion soup mix. Whisk or stir until the brown sugar dissolves and everything is well combined. This chicken in a hurry sauce comes together in under a minute and creates that signature sweet-tangy glaze.

Step 4 – Pour and Cover

Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken pieces, making sure each one gets a generous coating. Tilt the dish slightly if needed to distribute the sauce into the corners. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil, sealing the edges well. This traps steam and keeps the chicken moist during the initial baking phase.

Step 5 – Bake Until Tender and Glazed

Bake covered at 350°F for approximately 1 hour. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, the meat is tender when pierced with a fork, and the sauce is bubbly and has thickened into a glossy glaze.

For extra caramelization, remove the foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking. This allows the sauce to reduce further and creates those irresistible sticky, slightly crispy edges.

Tips for Perfect Chicken in a Hurry

A few simple techniques take this dish from good to outstanding.

Preventing dry chicken: The most common mistake is overbaking. Start checking for doneness around the 50-minute mark, especially if using smaller pieces or boneless cuts. Keeping the dish covered throughout most of the cooking time locks in moisture.

Ensuring even cooking: Choose chicken pieces that are similar in size. If you’re using a mix of breasts and thighs, consider removing smaller pieces a few minutes early if they finish cooking first.

Balancing the sauce: The sweetness and saltiness can be adjusted to taste. If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the brown sugar by a tablespoon or two. For lower sodium, use half a packet of soup mix plus extra onion and garlic powder.

Doneness and Texture Tips

Knowing when chicken in a hurry is done prevents both undercooking and overdoing it. The meat should pull away from the bone easily, juices should run clear when pierced, and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part should read 165°F.

The sauce should be thick enough to coat a spoon, glossy, and bubbling around the edges. If the chicken is done but the sauce seems thin, remove the chicken pieces to a platter and simmer the sauce in the dish under the broiler for a few minutes, watching carefully.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

Storing leftover chicken in a hurry is simple. Transfer cooled chicken and sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making leftovers arguably even better than the original meal.

Reheat gently in a 325°F oven, covered, until warmed through (about 20 minutes). Microwave reheating works too; cover loosely and heat in 1-minute intervals to prevent drying out.

For make-ahead convenience, you can mix the sauce up to 3 days in advance and store it refrigerated. You can also assemble the entire dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate unbaked for up to 24 hours before baking.

Variations on Chicken in a Hurry

The base recipe is endlessly adaptable. Here are some popular ways to make it your own.

Using Different Cuts of Chicken

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Reduce baking time to 35-45 minutes. Cover for the entire time to prevent drying out.

Chicken thighs: Bone-in thighs take about 50-55 minutes. Boneless thighs need only 30-40 minutes.

Drumsticks and wings: Perfect for entertaining. Drumsticks take about 50 minutes; wings need only 35-40 minutes.

Flavor Boost Add-Ins

Customize chicken in a hurry to match your family’s tastes:

• Garlic: Add 2-3 minced cloves to the sauce for depth.
• Smoked paprika: A teaspoon adds subtle smokiness.
• Red pepper flakes: A pinch brings gentle heat for adults.
• Apple cider vinegar: A tablespoon brightens the sauce beautifully.
• Mustard: Two tablespoons of Dijon or yellow mustard add tang.
• Barbecue sauce: Replace half the ketchup with your favorite barbecue sauce for a smokier profile.
• Fresh herbs: Chopped parsley or thyme sprinkled before serving adds freshness.

What to Serve with Chicken in a Hurry

That glossy, flavorful sauce deserves something to soak it up. Here are ideal side dishes for chicken in a hurry:

Starches: Fluffy white rice, buttery mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or crusty bread all work beautifully. The sauce pools into every bite, making these the most popular accompaniments.

Vegetables: Keep things simple with steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or a crisp garden salad. The freshness balances the rich, sweet sauce perfectly.

Crowd-pleasing combos: For a complete comfort meal, serve over rice with a side of steamed vegetables. For a more casual dinner, pair with buttered noodles and a simple salad.

Nutrition & Dietary Notes

Chicken in a hurry is designed for flavor and convenience rather than being a health-food dish. The combination of brown sugar and ketchup does add sugar, and the onion soup mix contributes sodium.

For a lighter version, use skinless chicken pieces to reduce fat content. You can cut the brown sugar by half without dramatically affecting the final result. Seek out low-sodium onion soup mix, or make a homemade blend using onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, and a small amount of salt.

Dark meat (thighs, drumsticks) contains more fat but also more iron and zinc than white meat. Both are excellent protein sources.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chicken in a Hurry

Can I make Chicken in a Hurry with boneless chicken breasts or thighs?

Absolutely. Boneless cuts work wonderfully but require less cooking time. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts need 35-45 minutes, while boneless thighs take 30-40 minutes. Keep them covered the entire time to retain moisture, and check for doneness early to prevent overcooking.

Can I cook Chicken in a Hurry in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?

Yes to both. For slow cooker chicken in a hurry, place chicken in the slow cooker, pour sauce over, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. For Instant Pot, use the poultry setting for 15 minutes with natural release. Note that slow cooker and pressure cooker versions won’t develop the same caramelized glaze as oven baking.

Can I freeze Chicken in a Hurry?

You can freeze this dish either before or after cooking. For uncooked, assemble everything in a freezer-safe dish, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed. For cooked leftovers, freeze in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat gently in the oven.

How do I make Chicken in a Hurry less sweet or less salty?

To reduce sweetness, cut the brown sugar to ¼ cup or even eliminate it entirely for a more savory profile. To reduce sodium, use only half a packet of onion soup mix and add onion powder and garlic powder to maintain flavor. You can also dilute the sauce with a bit of extra water or add unsweetened tomato sauce.

How long does Chicken in a Hurry take from start to finish?

Total time is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes: about 10-15 minutes for prep and 60 minutes for baking. The hands-on time is minimal; most of that hour is passive oven time while you’re free to do other things.

Final Thoughts & Serving Inspiration

This chicken in a hurry recipe proves that weeknight dinners don’t require fancy ingredients or complicated techniques to be genuinely satisfying. With just five staples from your pantry and a little oven time, you get tender, flavorful chicken glazed in a sauce everyone loves.

Serve it over a bed of fluffy rice to catch every drop of that glossy sauce, alongside creamy mashed potatoes for pure comfort food bliss, or with buttered noodles for kid-approved perfection.

Try this recipe for your next busy weeknight and discover why it’s remained a family favorite for decades. We’d love to hear how you served yours.

More Easy Chicken Recipes

Are you in search of additional quick chicken dinner ideas? Try these family favorites:

• 18 Easy Chicken Recipes You Can Make In Your Instant Pot
• Honey BBQ Chicken and Rice Recipe
• Forgotten Chicken Recipe
• Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Recipe