There’s something truly magical about Forgotten Chicken: a dish that almost cooks itself and emerges with tender, juicy chicken nestled in perfectly creamy, flavorful rice. It’s the culinary equivalent of a big bear hug—comforting, rich, and so unfussy that you’ll instantly wonder why you haven’t made it a staple before. With just a little prep, the oven transforms a handful of humble ingredients into a casserole that’s both weeknight-easy and guest-worthy. The best part? You really can “forget” about it in the oven, and it will still come out as a beautifully satisfying one-pan wonder!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s celebrate the simplicity here: each ingredient in Forgotten Chicken has an important role to play, creating layers of creamy, savory goodness with every bite. Stick to the basics for that classic flavor, or try a few little swaps to make the dish uniquely yours!
- Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts make for effortless slicing and absorb all the casserole’s wonderful flavors.
- Long grain white rice: Skip the instant rice! The long grain slowly cooks up fluffy and full-flavored, soaking up the rich sauce.
- Cream of chicken soup: Adds essential creaminess and a savory, chicken-forward base for the casserole’s sauce.
- Cream of mushroom soup: Delivers earthy depth and silkiness for extra luxurious comfort.
- Onion soup mix: Packs a punch of umami, color, and little flecks of onion that wake up every bite.
- Water: Just enough liquid to help the rice cook and turn everything silky and cohesive.
- Butter (optional): Greasing the dish with a swipe of butter ensures nothing sticks—and adds a touch more richness.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Simple seasoning lets the other flavors shine while amping up the overall taste.
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional): For a burst of color and fresh, herby notes right before serving.
How to Make Forgotten Chicken
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a moment to lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a little butter or nonstick spray. This only takes a second but makes a big difference, both for easy cleanup and for preventing the rice from sticking later.
Step 2: Build the Base Layer
Spread the raw, uncooked long grain white rice evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish. This is going to create the foundation for our dreamy, creamy base. Don’t use instant rice here—only the slow, gentle cook time will yield that signature fluffy texture!
Step 3: Mix the Creamy Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and water. Stir until beautifully blended and completely smooth. The combination of soups creates a rich, savory sauce that will flavor both the chicken and the rice as everything bakes together.
Step 4: Layer and Season the Chicken
Pour half of your creamy soup mixture directly over the rice layer. Next, nestle the chicken breasts on top. Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper—just a little, as the soups and onion mix add plenty of savoriness!
Step 5: Final Assembly and Topping
Pour the remaining soup mixture all over the chicken breasts, making sure everything is well coated. Now, sprinkle the entire envelope of onion soup mix evenly across the top. These little granules will dissolve into the sauce and give the dish its iconic flavor and eye-catching golden color.
Step 6: Cover and Bake
Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil, making sure no steam can escape. This is the “forgotten” part—pop it in your preheated oven and let it bake away for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Don’t peek, don’t stir, don’t worry! That tightly sealed foil is why every spoonful comes out so moist and perfect.
Step 7: Rest and Garnish
Once time’s up, take the dish out of the oven and let it rest (still covered) for 10 minutes. This step is crucial—it lets the flavors settle and the sauce thicken just right. Before serving, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley if you’d like a hit of color and freshness.
How to Serve Forgotten Chicken
Garnishes
The finishing touch for Forgotten Chicken is all about brightening up that creamy canvas. A generous handful of freshly chopped parsley does wonders, adding a fresh, herby pop and lively color to the plate. For extra flair, you could also sprinkle on a little paprika or cracked black pepper before serving.
Side Dishes
Since Forgotten Chicken is so hearty, sides that offer a little contrast work beautifully. Crisp green beans, roasted broccoli, or a simple tossed salad will cut through the richness. Need something extra-indulgent? Buttery dinner rolls are just the thing for soaking up every last drop of that luscious sauce!
Creative Ways to Present
Lean into the homey charm and serve individual portions straight from the casserole dish, or get playful and mold scoops of the rice into neat rounds using a small bowl for plating. Forgotten Chicken also looks stunning when topped with a sprinkle of fried onions or microgreens for a restaurant-worthy touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, Forgotten Chicken keeps brilliantly! Allow the casserole to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. You’ll notice the flavors continue to mingle, making each bite even more satisfying.
Freezing
Forgotten Chicken can be frozen for future comfort-food cravings. After cooking and cooling, portion leftovers into freezer-safe containers (single servings work best for quicker thawing). Freeze for up to 2 months. Let thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, simply microwave individual portions until hot, or cover and warm larger amounts in a 325°F oven until heated through. If the rice seems a bit dry, just add a splash of water or broth and stir before covering to revive its creamy texture.
FAQs
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Traditional Forgotten Chicken relies on long grain white rice because it cooks evenly and absorbs just enough liquid in the given bake time. Brown rice takes much longer and may result in undercooked grains, so it’s best to stick with classic white rice!
What if I only have chicken thighs?
No problem! Chicken thighs are an excellent substitute and actually turn out extra juicy. Just make sure they’re boneless and skinless for the easiest serving, and follow the same instructions and bake time.
Can Forgotten Chicken be assembled ahead of time?
Absolutely. Prep everything up to the point of baking, cover with foil, and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. When ready to bake, let the dish sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes, then proceed with the recipe.
Is it possible to make Forgotten Chicken gluten-free?
Yes! Just use gluten-free versions of cream of chicken and mushroom soups, and double-check that your onion soup mix is also certified gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Can I add vegetables into the casserole?
If you’d like extra color and nutrition, stir in up to a cup of frozen peas, carrots, or corn with the rice. They’ll cook perfectly right along with everything else, turning Forgotten Chicken into a complete one-dish meal.
Final Thoughts
Forgotten Chicken is one of those exceptional recipes that proves truly great meals don’t have to be complicated. Every time you open the oven to find chicken this tender and rice this creamy, you’ll want to make it again and again. Gather your ingredients, give it a try, and discover just how easy comfort food can be!
Print
Forgotten Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Forgotten Chicken is a classic comfort food dish that requires minimal prep and delivers maximum flavor. Tender chicken breasts are baked to perfection on a bed of creamy rice and savory soups, creating a satisfying one-pan meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Rice:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
For the Soup Mixture:
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 envelope onion soup mix
- 1 1/2 cups water
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional for greasing)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
- Prepare the Rice: Spread the uncooked rice evenly in the bottom of the baking dish.
- Mix the Soup: In a bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and water. Pour half of the mixture over the rice.
- Layer the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts on top of the rice. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Pour the rest of the soup mixture over the chicken. Sprinkle the onion soup mix on top.
- Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes.
- Rest and Serve: Let the dish sit for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley, if desired.
Notes
- Avoid using instant rice for best results.
- Experiment with different soup flavors for variety.
- Substitute chicken thighs for a richer dish.
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