Dinner is a great meal, and more often than not, I usually need to make something easy and semi-quick. Fortunately, today’s recipe is just that; it takes little prep time before baking in the oven.

If your family likes chicken, then you’ll want to try this buttery baked chicken. With butter, evaporated milk, and cream of chicken soup, it becomes a creamy dish that you’re sure to love.

I cook with chicken breasts A LOT. It’s probably our go-to meat, and I have a lot of favorite baked chicken breast recipes you may also wish to try, like Salsa Chicken, Creamy Swiss Chicken Bake, and BBQ Baked Chicken.

Why we think you’ll love it:

  • Pantry staples. Make a delicious dish with ingredients you most likely have on hand.
  • Surprisingly easy. With just 10 minutes of prep and a few easy steps, this recipe is so simple that even your kids can make it.
  • Creamy sauce. The smooth sauce coats the chicken and is wonderful served over rice or noodles.

Buttery Baked Chicken Ingredients and Substitutions

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts- or 6 to 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk- Be sure that you use evaporated milk, NOT sweetened condensed milk.
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt- Reduce if using salted butter.
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup butter, melted- We use unsalted butter, but salted butter can be used.
  • 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup- Use cream of mushroom soup instead, or even make a cream soup substitute.
  • ¼ cup water
  • Optional- Sprinkle on some Cheddar, Monterey, or Colby Jack, Mozzarella, mild Provolone, or Parmesan right before the last 30-minute bake time.

How to Make Buttery Baked Chicken

  1. PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. COAT. Dip each chicken piece in a bowl filled with about ⅛ (about 3 tablespoons) of your evaporated milk. Coat well and then roll it in the flour seasoned with salt and pepper.
  3. BAKE. Pour the melted butter in a 9×13 baking dish, and the chicken, and bake for 1 hour.
  4. SAUCE. While the chicken is baking, mix together water, the can of soup, and the rest of the evaporated milk.
  5. BAKE. After 1 hour, turn the chicken over and pour the soup mixture on top. Bake for 30 more minutes until golden brown. Serve as is. Creamy and Delish!!
    • Be sure that you use evaporated milk, not sweetened condensed milk. In a pinch, half and half can also be used.
    • Pound the chicken breasts to a consistent thickness throughout so they will bake and an even rate.
    • This recipe makes more sauce than you might need. Pour enough over the chicken so the sauce comes about halfway up the breasts. You can also use a larger dish and add more chicken breasts.
    • To make in a crock pot. Put the melted butter into the crockpot and add the prepared chicken pieces on top. Cook for 4-5 hours on high or 6-7 hours on low. Halfway through the cooking time, turn each piece over and pour in the soup mixture.
    Butter chicken in a white casserole dish
    5 from 51 votes

    Buttery Baked Chicken Recipe

    Creamy Buttery Baked Chicken is simple and full of flavor. It is another great dinner idea for any occasion!!
    Servings: 4
    Prep: 10 minutes
    Cook: 1 hour 30 minutes
    Total: 1 hour 40 minutes

    Ingredients 

    • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
    • 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
    • ½ cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 ½ teaspoon salt
    • teaspoon pepper
    • ½ cup butter, melted
    • 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
    • ¼ cup water

    Instructions 

    • Dip each chicken piece in a bowl filled with about ⅛ of your evaporated milk. Coat well and then roll it in the flour seasoned with salt and pepper.
    • Pour the melted butter in a 9×13 baking dish, and the chicken, and bake for 1 hour.
    • While the chicken is baking, mix together water, the can of soup, and the rest of the evaporated milk.
    • After chicken has been baking for 1 hour, turn the chicken over and pour the soup mixture on top. Bake for 30 more minutes until golden brown. Serve as is. Creamy and Delish!!
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    Notes

    Recipe Tips.
    • Be sure that you use evaporated milk, not sweetened condensed milk. In a pinch, half and half can also be used.
    • Pound the chicken breasts to a consistent thickness throughout so they will bake and an even rate.
    • This recipe makes more sauce than you might need. Pour enough over the chicken so the sauce comes about halfway up the breasts. You can also use a larger dish and add more chicken breasts.
    • To make in a crock pot. Put the melted butter into the crockpot and add the prepared chicken pieces on top. Cook for 4-5 hours on high or 6-7 hours on low. Halfway through the cooking time, turn each piece over and pour in the soup mixture.
    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days, or freeze for about 3 months. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4g, Calories: 587kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 52g, Fat: 33g, Saturated Fat: 17g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 212mg, Sodium: 1853mg, Potassium: 899mg, Fiber: 0.4g, Sugar: 0.5g, Vitamin A: 917IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 33mg, Iron: 2mg

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

    Recipe FAQ

    How to store?


    Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for 3-4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw, if needed, and reheat in the microwave, or for larger amounts, the oven.

    This recipe was originally published June 2014.

    About Kristyn

    Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

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    5 from 51 votes (33 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




    92 Comments

    1. katerina @ diethood.com says:

      5 stars
      Such an incredible dish! The flavors are amazing!!

    2. OlIvia says:

      5 stars
      Another good tasting meal that has the option of going into the crockpot. Anything in the crockpot is always a favorite for me.

    3. Joy says:

      5 stars
      This recipe is super easy! It’s a great go-to & tastes good with anything! My kids love the sauce over the chicken!

    4. Janelle says:

      Can you use something else in place of evaporated milk?

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Yes – you can use half and half or whipping cream or if you want to stay away from dairy, you can use chicken broth.

    5. Melissa M says:

      I felt like 1/2 cup flour was too much. I covered my chicken and then had a lot left over, which I had to throw out. Other than that, it was very tasty. Added some Tex Mex cheese at the end for more flavour. I served it with roasted Brussels sprouts and homemade rice for a complete meal. My boyfriend loved it! We will try with chicken thighs next time as he prefers those

      1. Lil'Luna Team says:

        Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like a delicious meal. Love the sides that you paired with the chicken. Chicken thighs are great in this recipe too, so that’s a great option for next time! Glad you enjoyed the recipe!

    6. WienerDogMomma says:

      I accidentally used condensed milk (sweetened of course) instead of evaporated milk. Whoops. We’ll see how that goes!

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        You will have to let me know! Hope you like it!

    7. Kim Z says:

      What size can evaporated milk.

    8. Judy says:

      5 stars
      Your nutrition facts for the buttery baked chicken do not specify serving size. Please tell me that the 2824 calories are for the entire dish and not just for 1/4 of the recipe!

    9. Debbie Pontruff says:

      5 stars
      Terrific dish! My husband said it was the best chicken he had ever eaten. I am on low sodium diet, so I had to tweak the recipe with lower sodium homemade soup, and less salt, but it was delicious. I definitely will make this again. Thank you for this wonderful recipe.

      1. Lil'Luna Team says:

        You are so welcome! Tell him thank you! Thank you for trying it!

    10. Sue hughes says:

      Just got the answer to mY lemon q. Keep the chicken recipes coming!!!!’my hUb only eats chicken since a recent heart attack. Thanks. Sue

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        I sure will!! Thank you so much for letting me know that!