This baked chicken recipe with corn and watermelon is your new go-to summer dinner. It has fresh flavors, minimal prep, and maximum crowd appeal!
Even better, bone-in chicken can be such an economical dinner choice! I wait until it goes on sale and then stock up. I can often get chicken legs or chicken quarters for $0.99 a pound (or less), and it takes about 4 pounds to feed my family of 6.
Baked chicken leg quarters are also so easy, and require just a few simple spices to create a yummy flavor! If you prefer, you can grill or air fry the chicken instead of baking it — but it’s crowd-pleasing no matter what. You can leave the skin on the chicken if you like it better that way, but it bakes up crispy on the outside either way.
I served this chicken with fresh corn on the cob and sweet watermelon, which are just coming in season here, and I look forward to both of them all year long. I love summer food!
Another side I often serve with chicken is air fryer roasted potatoes, but I chose to go with corn instead this time since it was on sale this week.
This post is part of our $10 Dinner Ideas series, brought to you by Brigette on our team! Each week, she shares easy, delicious, and affordable family-friendly dinner ideas that cost less than $10 to make, use everyday ingredients, and are super quick meals.
Baked Chicken Menu:
- Baked Chicken
- Air Fryer Roasted Corn
- Watermelon
Ingredients for Baked Chicken:
- 4-5 lbs chicken legs or quarters (Aldi – $0.99/lb) — $5
- 4 Tablespoons olive oil (not pictured – Aldi – $7.25 for 33 tablespoons) — $0.88
- 1 Tablespoon garlic salt, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon pepper, cayenne pepper to taste
Total for Baked Chicken: $5.88 (serves 6)
Ingredients for Sides:
- 6 ears corn on the cob (Harris Teeter) — $2
- Olive oil, salt, pepper
- Watermelon (Harris Teeter – $3.99) — $2
Total for Sides: $4 (serves 6)
Total Cost for Dinner: $9.88 (plus cost of seasonings) (makes 6 servings)
How to Make Baked Chicken:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut chicken into individual pieces (if using chicken leg quarters) and remove skin if desired. Place chicken pieces on the baking sheet and pat dry with a paper towel.
2. In a bowl, mix together the 4 Tablespoons of olive oil, 1 Tablespoon garlic salt, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste.
3. Brush the pieces with the olive oil marinade and bake at 400 degrees for 50-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
4. While chicken is baking, husk and wash the corn. Pat pieces dry with a paper towel and place in a single layer in the air fryer. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook at 400 degrees for 12-14 minutes.
5. Cut the watermelon into chunks and serve alongside the roasted corn and baked chicken.
Baked Chicken ($10 Family Dinner)
Ingredients
Ingredients for Baked Chicken:
- 4-5 lbs chicken legs or quarters Aldi – $0.99/lb — $5
- 4 Tablespoons olive oil not pictured – Aldi – $7.25 for 33 tablespoons — $0.88
- 1 Tablespoon garlic salt
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- Cayenne pepper to taste
Ingredients for Sides:
- 6 ears corn on the cob Harris Teeter — $2
- Olive oil salt, pepper
- Watermelon Harris Teeter – $3.99 — $2
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut chicken into individual pieces (if using chicken leg quarters) and remove skin if desired. Place chicken pieces on the baking sheet and pat dry with a paper towel.
- In a bowl, mix together the 4 Tablespoons of olive oil, 1 Tablespoon garlic salt, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste.
- Brush the pieces with the olive oil marinade and bake at 400 degrees for 50-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
- While chicken is baking, husk and wash the corn. Pat pieces dry with a paper towel and place in a single layer in the air fryer. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook at 400 degrees for 12-14 minutes.
- Cut the watermelon into chunks and serve alongside the roasted corn and baked chicken.
Nutrition
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More Ideas for Family Dinners Under $10:
- Biscuits and Gravy
- Quick & Easy Mini Calzones
- Mexican Lasagna
- Easy Cheesy Kielbasa Pasta Skillet
- Chicken Alfredo Pizza
- Chicken Burgers and Baked Fries
- Spaghetti Pizza
- Cheesy Potato Soup and Bread Machine Dinner Rolls
- Homemade Chipotle Chicken Bowls
- Crustless Spinach Quiche and Whole Wheat Bread
- Easy Chicken Pot Pie
- Baked Chicken Chimichangas and Cilantro Rice
And, be sure to check out all our easy dinner recipes here!
If you make this easy Baked Chicken recipe, we’d love for you to leave a review and let us know how it turned out!
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Would you rather make your own pizza? Try one of these recipes:
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Looking for some frugal fun for the kiddos this summer? Be sure to check out this round-up of all the best discounts on summer movies for kids!
{Looking for other fun summer deals? Don’t miss our round-up of the best Summer Reading Programs! Plus, kids can bowl for free and skate for free at many participating locations this summer!}
Where to see Free Kids Movies (Premiere Cinemas, Phoenix Theatres)
If you’re looking for a great way to have some frugal fun with your kids this summer, then be sure to check out this list of discounts on kids’ movies! And don’t forget to check your local theater offerings, too!
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Where to Find Discount Movie Tickets
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Do you know of any other discounts on summer movies for kids? Let us know if we missed any!
FREE Summer Bucket List!!
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Pizza Hut Summer of Stories Book It Program
Do your kids love to read? If so, don’t miss out on this popular Pizza Hut Book It Program!
{Psst! Be sure to also check out the Free Summer Reading Programs for kids this year + all these free educational activities available right now!
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Pizza Hut Book It Program reviews from readers
This is such a fun program and SO many of you have great things to say about it:
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“I did it as a kid and loved getting a free pizza for reading my favorite books! My son just finished Kindergarten and he loved doing it this year. Every time he brought home the coupon he couldn’t wait to go get his pizza!” -Amber
“My 6 year old is homeschooled. We’ve used the Pizza Hut Book It Program the past 2 years and are already signed up for next year. He loves it !! He’s excited to read.” -Debbie
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“My students absolutely loved it and went out of their way to read as a result! Great program!” -Amy
Click here to enroll for summer 2026.
What’s your experience with the Pizza Hut Book It Program? We’d love to hear in the comments!
Want your kids to read more this summer?
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