Amazing Forgotten Chicken Recipe
There’s a reason this dish is called Amazing Forgotten Chicken: it takes just minutes to pull together, then practically cooks itself while you get on with your day, only to emerge from the oven supremely tender and loaded with creamy flavor. This is homey comfort food at its easiest and most delicious—juicy chicken nestled in savory rice, all crowned with a golden, oniony crust. If you’re searching for a dependable, set-it-and-forget-it baked chicken dinner, this timeless casserole is about to become a fixture on your dinner table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need any fancy supplies to make Amazing Forgotten Chicken; in fact, everything on this short list is probably already in your kitchen. Each ingredient works its own magic—creating unbeatable flavor, divine texture, and beautiful color from the simplest pantry staples.
- Long Grain White Rice (uncooked): This forms the creamy, tender base; be sure not to use quick-cooking rice for the best texture.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Contributes luscious, savory richness and binds the rice and chicken together.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: Brings extra creaminess, depth, and that comforting classic casserole flavor.
- Water (use empty soup can): Balances the thickness and ensures all the rice cooks perfectly in creamy goodness.
- Dry Onion Soup Mix: Adds irresistible savory depth, a hint of sweetness, and that delicious golden crust on top.
- Garlic Powder: Rounds out the flavor with subtle aromatic warmth.
- Black Pepper: A little peppery bite keeps everything from being too mild.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs: These turn meltingly tender in the oven while soaking up all the sauce—use your favorite.
- Butter (cut into small pieces): Just a touch adds beautiful richness and helps brown the top.
- Fresh Parsley for garnish (optional): A sprinkle of green at the end makes everything look and taste extra fresh.
How to Make Amazing Forgotten Chicken
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Baking Dish
Begin by heating your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a trusty 9×13-inch baking dish—this gives the rice and chicken plenty of room and keeps everything from sticking. This tiny moment of prep pays off when it’s time for effortless cleanup later!
Step 2: Mix the Creamy Rice Base
Right in your baking dish, combine the uncooked long grain rice, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, water, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix these together until you see a smooth, even layer—no need for a separate bowl! This forms the cozy, flavorful bed the chicken will rest in as it bakes.
Step 3: Nestle in the Chicken
Place your chicken breasts or thighs on top of the rice mixture, pressing them in just a bit without fully submerging. As it bakes, the chicken soaks up both moisture and flavor, guaranteeing tender, delicious results throughout every bite of Amazing Forgotten Chicken.
Step 4: Top with Onion Soup Mix and Butter
Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over everything. Dot little pieces of butter over the top for a gorgeous, buttery finish—these melt down and mingle with the soup mix, forming a craveable oniony crust that’s one of the dish’s best secrets.
Step 5: Cover and Bake (Then… Forget It!)
Cover the baking dish tightly with foil. The magic of Amazing Forgotten Chicken is that you don’t peek, you don’t stir, you don’t mess with it—just let it work. Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes until the chicken is perfectly cooked and the rice is soft and creamy throughout.
Step 6: Rest and Garnish
Once it’s done, resist the urge to scoop right away—let the casserole rest, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes. This helps all the flavors settle and makes serving easier. If you like, scatter fresh parsley across the top for a cheerful touch that makes the dish pop.
How to Serve Amazing Forgotten Chicken
Garnishes
While this casserole is plenty flavorful on its own, a handful of freshly chopped parsley or even thinly sliced green onions can add both color and a breezy, fresh flavor that wakes up the whole plate. A squeeze of lemon juice brings a gentle brightness, too, if you’re so inclined.
Side Dishes
Since Amazing Forgotten Chicken is hearty and filling all by itself, aim for light, crisp sides that provide a nice contrast—think a simple green salad, steamed green beans, or roasted seasonal veggies. For a bit of nostalgia, serve with fluffy dinner rolls to help scoop up every savory bit.
Creative Ways to Present
You can make this humble classic a dinner party standout simply by plating individual servings in shallow bowls, drizzling with a little extra sauce, and tucking in a sprig of parsley. Or, try serving it “family style” straight from the baking dish, letting everyone dig in for that comforting, shared experience that really makes memories.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Amazing Forgotten Chicken keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The rice absorbs even more flavor, so leftovers can taste even cozier the next day!
Freezing
If you’d like to freeze this dish, simply assemble the entire casserole before baking, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and label with the date. It will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. To bake from frozen, allow a little extra time in the oven and keep it covered until fully cooked through.
Reheating
For best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave with a splash of water (to keep things moist), or cover the baking dish with foil and warm in a 325°F oven until steaming. Either method will revive that creamy rice and tender chicken to its original glory.
FAQs
Can I use brown rice instead of white?
Brown rice takes longer to cook and needs more liquid, so while it can be used, you’ll want to add extra water and bake for a bit longer. The rice will also have a more substantial, nutty texture compared to the classic creamy feel of Amazing Forgotten Chicken with white rice.
Is it possible to make this with bone-in chicken?
Absolutely! Bone-in chicken thighs lend even more flavor and juiciness. Just be sure to plan for a slightly longer bake time to ensure the chicken cooks all the way through and the rice absorbs all that rich flavor.
What’s the best way to prevent soggy rice?
Make sure to cover the dish tightly and don’t be tempted to stir or peek during baking. Using long grain white rice is key—it bakes up tender but never mushy in the creamy sauce of Amazing Forgotten Chicken.
Can I add vegetables to the casserole?
For a little extra color and nutrition, stir in a cup of frozen peas, carrots, or even broccoli florets before you add the chicken on top. The vegetables cook gently with the rice and chicken, soaking in all that wonderful flavor.
Does this recipe work for meal prep?
Definitely! Since Amazing Forgotten Chicken reheats so well, you can bake the whole dish ahead, portion it into containers, and enjoy comforting, ready-to-go lunches or dinners for several days. It’s an ideal make-ahead meal for busy weeks.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend Amazing Forgotten Chicken highly enough for those nights when you crave something easy, cozy, and truly satisfying. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll reach for again and again, whether you’re feeding family or hosting friends. Give it a try—you just might find it becomes your newest weeknight classic!
Print
Amazing Forgotten Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Amazing Forgotten Chicken recipe is a simple and delicious one-pan meal that combines pantry staples with juicy chicken for a comforting dish the whole family will love.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4–6 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
For the Rice Mixture:
- 1 cup long grain white rice (uncooked)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) water (use empty soup can)
- 1 envelope dry onion soup mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter (cut into small pieces)
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Prepare the baking dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Mix the ingredients: In the dish, combine the uncooked rice, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, water, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Add the chicken: Nestle the chicken pieces into the rice mixture.
- Season and bake: Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix over the top, dot with butter, cover tightly with foil, and bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- Rest and garnish: Let the dish rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Do not uncover or stir while baking—this is what makes it “forgotten.”
- You can substitute bone-in chicken thighs for extra flavor but adjust cook time slightly.
- Works well as a freezer meal before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece with rice
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
