This oven baked 3-ingredient chicken cathedral is the kind of old-school potluck recipe that sticks around for good reason: it is simple, budget-friendly, and somehow tastes like you worked a whole lot harder than you did. The sweet-savory glaze bakes down around the drumsticks and turns glossy and sticky in the pan, making it perfect for fellowship dinners, weeknight meals, or any time you need a dependable crowd-pleaser with almost no prep.
Serve this chicken with mashed potatoes, buttered rice, or egg noodles to catch all that extra sauce, plus a simple green bean side dish, corn, or a crisp salad to round things out. If you are taking it to a potluck, warm dinner rolls and a big spoon for serving make it especially easy, and iced tea or lemonade fit the church-supper vibe perfectly.
Oven Baked 3-Ingredient Chicken Cathedral
Servings: 6
Ingredients
3 pounds chicken drumsticks
1 cup ketchup
1 cup lemon-lime soda
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a deep baking dish large enough to hold the drumsticks in a mostly single layer.
2. Arrange the chicken drumsticks in the prepared baking dish.
3. In a bowl or measuring cup, stir together the ketchup and lemon-lime soda until combined, then pour the mixture evenly over the chicken.
4. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes, then carefully spoon some of the pan sauce over the drumsticks.
5. Return the dish to the oven and bake 20 to 30 minutes more, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened into a glossy glaze.
6. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving, then spoon the sauce over the top.
Variations & Tips
Make it sweeter: If you like a more old-fashioned potluck flavor, use a lemon-lime soda with full sugar instead of diet. The sauce will bake up a little thicker and stickier.
Use other chicken pieces: Bone-in thighs or mixed chicken pieces also work well here. Just adjust the baking time as needed and always cook until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature.
Add pantry seasoning: Even though the classic version keeps it to three ingredients, a little garlic powder, black pepper, or paprika can add extra depth without changing the spirit of the recipe.
Potluck tip: This dish travels well in the baking pan covered with foil. If you are serving a crowd, keep it warm at a low oven temperature and bring a large spoon so nobody misses out on the sauce.
Easy cleanup: Use a deep dish to prevent bubbling sauce from spilling over, and let the pan soak with warm soapy water after dinner to make cleanup much easier.