I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found myself short on time and needing to whip up something quick, delicious, and filling for dinner. That’s when I turn to my Lazy Day Chicken recipe. It’s the perfect solution for those days when you’re feeling a bit lazy but still want a meal that tastes like you’ve slaved over the stove for hours. This dish has its origins in homestyle cooking, where simplicity and flavor go hand in hand. The combination of chicken, chunky tomato sauce, dried onion flakes, and instant beef flavored broth mix creates a mouthwatering sauce that perfectly complements the tender chicken. I love this recipe not only because it’s incredibly easy to make, but also because it brings a sense of comfort and warmth to the table. It’s a dish that I’ve shared with friends and family over the years, and it never fails to impress. I hope you enjoy making and eating this as much as I do!
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1 can Hunt’s Special chunky tomato sauce
- 2 Tbsp. dried onion flakes
- 1 packet instant beef flavored broth mix
- 1/2 c. water
Baking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Place chicken in baking pan that has been sprayed with a nonstick cooking spray.
- In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients and pour over chicken.
- Cover and bake 30 minutes.
- Remove cover; continue baking 30 minutes longer.
Calorie: 230
Total cooking time: 1 hour
Difficulty level: Easy
The Saga of Lazy Day Chicken
I have always been a firm believer in the saying, “A lazy day is a happy day.” But I also believe in the joy of cooking, which can sometimes be a bit of a contradiction. Enter the Lazy Day Chicken. This recipe is for anyone who has ever thought, “I’d love to cook, but also, I’d love to stay in my pajamas and watch reruns of ‘The Office’ all day.” And yes, you can do both.
The Inception of a Masterpiece
So, picture this: it’s a Sunday, and I have a serious case of the lazies. My pantry is looking a little bare, and I’m staring at a boneless, skinless chicken breast like it holds the secrets of the universe. But alas, it’s just a chicken breast. Nothing more, nothing less. Now, I could have ordered takeout, but I was feeling resourceful. And by resourceful, I mean I didn’t want to put on real pants to answer the door.
The Ingredients Unveiled
The chicken breast found some friends in the form of a can of Hunt’s Special chunky tomato sauce, some dried onion flakes, a packet of instant beef flavored broth mix (because why not mix meats), and a half cup of water. You would think that I was preparing for a culinary disaster, but trust me, I had a plan. A lazy plan, but a plan nonetheless.
The Oven Preheats and So Does the Excitement
I preheated the oven to 350°, an act that felt more like a warm-up for my lazy day than for the oven. Meanwhile, the chicken took a nice little nap in a baking pan that I had sprayed with a nonstick cooking spray. We wouldn’t want our little chicken friend to stick now, would we?
The Magic Sauce Comes to Life
In a small bowl, which seemed way too small for all the ingredients I was about to put in it, I combined the tomato sauce, onion flakes, broth mix, and water. It wasn’t the prettiest sight, but hey, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right?
Cover, Bake, and Relax
I poured the sauce over the chicken, covered it, and let it bake for 30 minutes. This was the perfect amount of time to fit in an episode of ‘The Office’. I mean, who needs a kitchen timer when you have Michael Scott?
The Grand Unveiling
After the 30 minutes were up, I removed the cover and let the chicken continue baking for another 30 minutes. This was the culinary equivalent of a cliffhanger. Would it turn out tasty? Or would I be ordering a pizza?
The Final Verdict
Well, let’s just say, the Lazy Day Chicken was the perfect companion for my lazy day. It was delicious and required minimal effort. It was a win-win situation. So, the next time you have a lazy day, remember: Life’s too short to spend it in the kitchen. And by that, I mean life’s too short to not cook Lazy Day Chicken while also watching ‘The Office’.
