Leona's Lazy Chicken

I've been very lucky in my life to have been inspired and taught by remarkable women and cooks.   One of them was my good friend Leona.  

I was in my mid twenties when we met and Leona was probably a good 16 years or so older than myself.   She was and is a remarkably great home cook and this is one of her recipes which she shared with me all those years ago.



It's not much to look at, but it's really a very simple dish and uses things we all probably have in our kitchens all the time, with the exception of maybe the onion soup mix.  

 

I do always have a packet or two of that on hand . . .  for dishes just such as this, but I know not everyone will.



It does not photograph very well . . .  but don't judge this book by it's cover . . .  it's really far, far more delicious than it looks!   

Trust me on this.  Would I lie to you?  I think not!

 

You can use any combination of chicken pieces that you wish to use . . .  legs, thighs, breasts, etc.   Today I used boneless chicken breasts.  

You will obviously not need to cook them as long as you would the bone in pieces.



You simply whisk together simple ingredients . . .  tomato ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, water, lemon juice . . .  and pour them over the chicken in a baking dish.   

 

The dry onion soup mix is sprinkled evenly over top afterwards and then the whole thing is popped into the oven to bake.



I like to baste it every 15 minutes or so.   The end result is tender chicken with a delicious sauce.  Your family will think you have slaved all day, but that's okay . . .  you don't need to tell anyone that you haven't!  

 

I have always said that it is the simple things in life that are the most delious of all.

  

*Leona's Lazy Chicken*

Serves 4

Printable Recipe 

 

This is an old recipe from my friend Leona.  I've been making this for over thirty years always to rave reviews.  It's so simple.  It basically cooks itself. 

 

60ml of water (1/4 cup)

60ml of white wine or cider vinegar (1/4 cup)

50g of soft light brown sugar (1/4 cup)

55g of tomato ketchup (1/4 cup)

1 tsp lemon juice

1 four serving size packet of onion soup mix

8 bone in chicken thighs, or legs

(can use chicken breasts, but adjust cooking time accordingly by about half) 

 

Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4.  Place the chicken pieces into a shallow baking dish.  Mix together the vinegar, water, sugar, ketchup and lemon juice.  Pour this over top of the chicken.  Sprinkle the soup mix evenly over all.   Bake for about 1 1/2 hours, basting frequently with the pan juices, until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear and the meat is nicely glazed.