From the title of this blog, you’ve probably already guessed it no complications, no long ingredient lists. Just 4 simple ingredients and your dining table will be filled with flavor. The best part? You don’t have to spend your whole day in the kitchen. These recipes are perfect for busy weekdays, and even on weekends when you want something tasty but don’t have much time to cook.
If you want to try an extra-flavorful recipe using only four ingredients, don’t miss my 4-Ingredient Chicken Marinade With Soy Sauce. And if you prefer something even simpler, check out these delicious 3-ingredient options:
1. Honey Glazed 4 Ingredient Chicken
I’ve always loved quick meals but don’t take hours in the kitchen. This honey glazed 4 ingredient chicken is one of my go-to recipes on busy nights. Sweet, sticky, and full of flavor, it’s a perfect example of a simple, delicious chicken recipe that only uses a few ingredients. Plus, it’s baked in the oven, making cleanup a breeze!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Variation: Swap chilli flakes for garlic powder if you prefer a milder version. Serve with steamed rice or roasted veggies to make it a full meal.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 800 g)
- ½ cup (120 ml) honey
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp chilli flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Mix the glaze: In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, and chilli flakes.
- Coat the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the baking dish and pour the honey-soy mixture over them. Make sure each piece is well coated.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 74°C / 165°F).
- Serve hot with your favorite side rice, steamed vegetables, or even a simple salad. Drizzle any leftover glaze from the baking dish over the chicken for extra flavor.
Tips & Variations
- Use garlic powder or smoked paprika instead of chilli flakes for a milder or smoky version.
- This is a perfect baked chicken recipe with 4 ingredients when you’re short on time but still want something delicious.
- You can also make easy 4 ingredient chicken recipes for two by halving the ingredients and using just 2 chicken breasts.
2. Lemon-Garlic 4 Ingredient Chicken
I’ve always found that lemon and garlic are a match made in heaven when it comes to chicken. This lemon-garlic 4 ingredient chicken is flavorful, and ridiculously simple. It’s one of my favorite easy 4 ingredient chicken recipes with few ingredients’ oven, especially when I want a meal that tastes like it took hours but actually didn’t.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Variation: Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for a fresh, bright twist.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 800 g)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 large lemon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Lightly grease a baking dish or line with parchment paper.
- Prepare the chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Mix the lemon-garlic marinade: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, and lemon juice.
- Coat the chicken: Place chicken in the baking dish and pour the lemon-garlic mixture evenly over the top. Make sure every piece gets a nice coating.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 74°C / 165°F).
- Serve immediately with roasted vegetables, steamed rice, or a fresh green salad. Spoon any extra juices from the pan over the chicken for extra flavor.
Tips & Variations
- Use zested lemon peel for an extra punch of citrus flavor.
- This is another great boneless chicken recipe with 4 ingredients, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Can easily be scaled for easy 4 ingredient chicken recipes for two by halving the ingredients.
3. BBQ 4 Ingredient Chicken Thighs
I’ve always loved the sweet flavor of BBQ it’s such a crowd-pleaser. This BBQ 4 ingredient chicken thighs recipe is one of my favorite baked chicken recipes with 4 ingredients. It’s simple, delicious, and honestly feels like a cheat meal that’s actually easy to make at home.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Variation: Swap store-bought BBQ sauce for homemade if you like a fresher, tangier flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 700 g)
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Lightly grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Coat with BBQ sauce: Drizzle olive oil over the chicken, then pour BBQ sauce on top, making sure each piece is nicely coated.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature 74°C / 165°F) and slightly caramelized on top.
- Serve hot with mashed potatoes, rice, or a fresh coleslaw for a complete meal.
Tips & Variations
- Brush extra BBQ sauce halfway through baking for an even richer glaze.
- You can use boneless chicken thighs or breasts both works beautifully.
- Perfect for easy 4 ingredient chicken recipes for two if you want a smaller portion.
4. Parmesan Crusted 4 Ingredient Chicken
I’ve always loved that golden, crispy crunch of a Parmesan crust it feels fancy but is ridiculously easy to make. This Parmesan crusted 4 ingredient chicken is one of my favorite easy 4 ingredient chicken recipes with few ingredients’ oven.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Variation: Add a pinch of garlic powder or paprika to the Parmesan for extra flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 800 g)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Make the crust: In a shallow bowl, mix Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs.
- Coat the chicken: Brush chicken breasts lightly with olive oil, then press each piece into the Parmesan-breadcrumb mixture, making sure it’s fully coated.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 74°C / 165°F) and the crust is golden brown.
- Serve warm with a side of roasted vegetables, a fresh salad, or even some pasta for a complete meal.
Tips & Variations
- Use panko breadcrumbs for an extra crispy crust.
- Sprinkle extra Parmesan on top halfway through baking for more cheesy goodness.
- This works perfectly as boneless chicken recipes with 4 ingredients, and you can easily make a smaller portion for easy 4 ingredient chicken recipes for two.
5. Garlic Butter 4 Ingredient Chicken
I’ve always loved the combination of tender chicken with rich, garlicky butter. This garlic butter 4 ingredient chicken is one of my favorite easy 4 ingredient chicken recipes with few ingredients’ oven. It’s flavorful, and so quick to pull together, making it a go-to for weeknight dinners.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Variation: Add a squeeze of lemon at the end for a bright, fresh flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 800 g)
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Prepare the chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Make the garlic butter mixture: In a small bowl, mix melted butter with minced garlic.
- Coat the chicken: Place the chicken in the baking dish and pour the garlic butter over each piece, making sure it’s evenly coated.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature 74°C / 165°F) and tender.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if you like, alongside roasted vegetables, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Tips & Variations
- You can add herbs like thyme or rosemary to the garlic butter for extra aroma.
- This is perfect as a boneless chicken recipe with 4 ingredients, especially when you want a simple, delicious dinner.
- Works well for easy 4 ingredient chicken recipes for two just halve the ingredients and bake as usual.
6. Teriyaki 4 Ingredient Chicken
I’ve always loved that sweet-savory punch of teriyaki it’s one of those flavors that makes you smile in every bite. This teriyaki 4 ingredient chicken is a personal favorite for easy 4 ingredient chicken recipes with few ingredients’ oven. It’s feels like a takeout favorite but made right in your own kitchen.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Variation: Sprinkle sesame seeds or green onions on top for a little extra flair.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 700 g)
- ½ cup teriyaki sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ginger, grated (optional, but adds warmth)
- Optional: Sesame seeds or sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry and place them in the dish.
- Add the sauce: Mix teriyaki sauce with olive oil (and grated ginger if using) and pour evenly over the chicken, making sure each piece is coated.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 74°C / 165°F) and slightly caramelized on top.
- Serve hot, garnished with sesame seeds or green onions. Goes perfectly with steamed rice or stir-fried veggies.
Tips & Variations
- Turn this into a boneless chicken recipe with 4 ingredients for a super simple weeknight dinner.
- For a lighter version, you can brush on the teriyaki sauce halfway through baking instead of soaking the chicken beforehand.
- Works great for easy 4 ingredient chicken recipes for two just halve the ingredients and bake as usual.
7. Honey Mustard 4 Ingredient Chicken
I’ve always loved the combo of honey and mustard it feels like a little hug in every bite. This honey mustard 4 ingredient chicken is one of my go-to easy 4 ingredient chicken recipes with few ingredients’ oven because it’s quick, flavorful, and practically foolproof.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Variation: Swap Dijon mustard for whole grain mustard for a nuttier, textured flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 800 g)
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, and olive oil until smooth.
- Coat the chicken: Pour the honey mustard sauce over the chicken, making sure each piece is evenly coated.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 74°C / 165°F) and slightly caramelized on top.
- Serve hot, drizzled with any remaining sauce from the pan. This goes wonderfully with roasted vegetables, rice, or a fresh green salad.
Tips & Variations
- Brush extra honey mustard sauce halfway through baking for a stickier, richer coating.
- This is perfect as a boneless chicken recipe with 4 ingredients that’s simple yet impressive.
- Works beautifully for easy 4 ingredient chicken recipes for two just halve the ingredients and bake as usual.
8. Lemon Herb 4 Ingredient Chicken
I’ve always loved the fresh, bright flavor that lemon brings to chicken it’s light, and so comforting at the same time. This lemon herb 4 ingredient chicken is one of my favorite easy 4 ingredient chicken recipes with few ingredients oven because it’s effortless but feels like a meal you’d get at a nice bistro.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Variation: Try adding a pinch of dried oregano or thyme to the seasoning for an herby punch.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 800 g)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (or a mix of thyme, rosemary, and oregano)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Prepare the chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and dried herbs.
- Add lemon and oil: Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over the chicken, making sure each piece is coated well.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature 74°C / 165°F) and slightly golden on top.
- Serve warm, garnished with lemon slices if you like. Goes perfectly with steamed veggies, quinoa, or a light salad.
Tips & Variations
- For extra zest, add a little lemon zest on top before baking.
- This recipe is ideal as a boneless chicken recipe with 4 ingredients that’s simple yet flavorful.
- Works beautifully for easy 4 ingredient chicken recipes for two just halve the ingredients and bake as usual.