Description
Grandma’s Secret Forgotten Chicken is an oven-baked, one-pan comfort meal featuring tender chicken pieces nestled in a creamy soup-and-rice base, all baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts or thighs (bone-in, skin-on or boneless, skinless)
- 1 package Uncle Ben’s long grain wild rice mix (with seasoning packet)
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of celery soup
- 1 1/2 cups water or chicken broth
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13″ baking dish.
- Spread uncooked rice and seasoning evenly in the bottom of the dish.
- In a bowl, whisk together both cans of soup and water or broth until smooth.
- Arrange chicken pieces over the rice. Season with salt and pepper.
- Pour the creamy soup mixture over everything, ensuring the chicken is coated.
- Sprinkle paprika on top, cover tightly with foil, and bake for 1 hour.
- Remove foil and bake 20–30 minutes more until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
- Let rest a few minutes, garnish as desired, then serve hot.
Notes
- Garnish with chopped parsley or chives and a squeeze of lemon if desired.
- Serve with green beans, peas, salad, or dinner rolls.
- Helpful to bring the dish to the table covered for a cozy family-style presentation.
- Let cool completely, then refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days—flavors deepen overnight.
- Freeze cooled servings or entire dish up to 2 months; thaw overnight before reheating.
- Reheat in a 325°F oven covered (with broth if needed) or microwave with a damp towel.
- Boneless, skinless chicken works—just bake until tender (may need less time).
- Substitute white rice and add herbs if wild rice isn’t available.
- Make lighter with reduced‑fat soups, chicken breast, and low‑sodium broth.
- Ensure rice cooks fully by tightly covering with foil and using proper liquid ratios.
