Oven-Baked 3-Ingredient Church Supper Chicken
Bone-in chicken pieces bake in a sweet, tangy barbecue and lemon-lime soda sauce until tender, glossy, and caramelized around the edges. This easy crowd-friendly dish is ideal for church suppers, potlucks, Sunday dinners, and family gatherings.
INGREDIENTS:
3 to 3 1/2 lb bone-in skin-on chicken pieces thighs and drumsticks preferred
1 bottle thick tomato-based barbecue sauce 16 oz
1 can lemon-lime soda 12 oz, non-diet and slightly warmed
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the center of the oven.
Pat the chicken pieces thoroughly dry with paper towels.
Arrange the chicken skin-side up in an ungreased 9×13-inch glass baking dish. Keep the pieces snug but not stacked.
In a medium bowl, stir together the barbecue sauce and lemon-lime soda until evenly combined.
Pour the sauce over the chicken. Lift each piece slightly with tongs so some sauce flows underneath.
Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
Carefully remove the foil and baste the chicken with the sauce from the bottom of the dish.
Return the chicken to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 30–40 minutes. Baste once or twice during this time.
Continue baking until the sauce is thick and glossy and the chicken reaches at least 165°F in the thickest part without touching the bone.
Let the chicken rest in the baking dish for 5–10 minutes before serving with the thickened pan sauce.