Forgotten Chicken Recipe: 5 Tips for a Flavorful Surprise!

Oh hello there! I’m so glad you stopped by today. If you’re like me, you’ve probably had those evenings where dinner seems like an impossible mountain to climb. That’s exactly why I fell in love with this forgotten chicken recipe years ago! This forgotten chicken recipe earned its curious name because you literally “set it and forget it” – which is exactly what we busy folks need in our cooking arsenal.

Let me tell you, after a day of shuttling kids to soccer practice, answering emails, and trying to maintain some semblance of a tidy home, the last thing I want is a complicated dinner situation. That’s when this magical dish comes to the rescue! It combines tender chicken, fluffy rice, and creamy soup into a one-dish wonder that practically cooks itself while you tackle the mountain of laundry (or, let’s be honest, scroll through social media for a much-needed mental break).

Why You’ll Love This Forgotten Chicken Recipe

This forgotten chicken recipe has saved my dinner plans more times than I can count! Here’s why it might become your new favorite too:

• Ultimate convenience – prep takes just 15 minutes, then your oven does all the work
• Budget-friendly – uses simple ingredients most of us already have on hand
• Kid-approved – even my pickiest eater asks for seconds!
• Comfort food magic – creamy, savory goodness that feels like a warm hug
• Versatile – easily customizable with whatever veggies you have hanging out in your fridge
• Make-ahead friendly – prepare in the morning and pop it in the oven when you get home

When my friend Sarah first shared this recipe with me, I’ll admit I was skeptical about the name. Forgotten chicken? Was this something I’d want to remember? Trust me, once you try it, you’ll never forget it!

Ingredients

For this cozy forgotten chicken and rice recipe, you’ll need:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
• 1½ cups uncooked long-grain white rice
• 2½ cups chicken broth (low sodium works great!)
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
• 1 packet onion soup mix
• ¼ cup butter, cut into small pieces
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Optional: 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• Optional garnish: Fresh parsley, chopped

Don’t have cream of mushroom? No problem! Cream of celery or cream of onion makes a delicious substitute. If you’re eyeing that aging broccoli in your veggie drawer, chop it up and toss it in! This recipe loves vegetables of all kinds.

The aroma that fills your kitchen as this bakes is nothing short of heavenly – think savory herbs, rich chicken, and that unmistakable comfort food smell that makes everyone ask “When’s dinner ready?”

Timing

• Prep time: 15 minutes (less if you’re a chopping ninja!)
• Cook time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Total time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Hands-on time: Only 15 minutes – that’s 86% less active cooking time than most chicken dinner recipes!

This is one of those magical dishes where the time investment is mostly passive – exactly what we need after a hectic day! You’ll spend just 15 minutes getting everything ready, then you can literally “forget” about it for 90 minutes while amazing things happen in your oven.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish and give it a light coat of cooking spray. This prevents the rice from staging a stubborn stick-to-the-pan protest later!

Step 2: Create the Rice Base

Pour the uncooked rice into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom. This creates the foundation of our forgotten chicken masterpiece.

Step 3: Add the Liquid Gold

In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, and onion soup mix until well combined. This creates our flavor-packed cooking liquid that will transform both the chicken and rice. Pour this mixture evenly over the rice.

Olivia’s Tip: For extra flavor, add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder and ½ teaspoon of dried thyme to your liquid mixture. It’ll take this amazing forgotten chicken recipe to the next level!

Step 4: Add Chicken and Vegetables

Place the chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture, spacing them evenly. If you’re using frozen vegetables, scatter them around the chicken. Dot the butter pieces evenly across the dish, then season everything with salt and pepper.

Step 5: Cover and Bake

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. This is crucial for properly cooking the rice! Bake in your preheated oven for 1½ hours, or until the chicken is cooked through (165°F) and the rice is tender.

Olivia’s Secret: Don’t peek for at least the first hour! Opening the oven releases heat and steam that’s essential for cooking the rice properly.

Step 6: Rest Before Serving

Once done, remove from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to settle and the sauce to thicken slightly.

Garnish with fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy, and serve this glorious creation to your hungry family!

Cooking Tips

Want to elevate your forgotten chicken from delicious to absolutely unforgettable? Here are my favorite tricks:

1. Toast the rice first – Quickly sauté the dry rice in a tablespoon of butter until lightly golden before adding it to the baking dish. This adds a nutty depth that’s absolutely divine!

2. Season the chicken – While the recipe is flavorful as-is, seasoning your chicken with a light dusting of paprika, garlic powder, and Italian herbs makes a world of difference.

3. Watch the liquid ratio – If you like your rice more firm, reduce the broth by ¼ cup. For creamier rice, add ¼ cup more.

4. Don’t skip the butter – Those little butter pieces create magnificent pockets of richness throughout the dish.

5. Let it rest – I know it’s tempting to dive right in, but giving the dish 10 minutes to rest after baking allows the flavors to meld perfectly.

And hey, if you forget the onion soup mix (ironic for forgotten chicken, right?), substitute it with 3 tablespoons of minced dried onions, 2 teaspoons of beef bouillon granules, and ¼ teaspoon each of parsley flakes and paprika. Your secret’s safe with me!

For similar recipes check the Main Dishes category

Personal Story

The first time I made this forgotten chicken recipe was during what I now fondly refer to as “The Week From Chaos.” My son had the flu, my daughter was preparing for her school play, and my husband was traveling for work. I was running on coffee fumes and a prayer!

I had thrown the ingredients together in a desperate attempt to have dinner ready without actually having to stand at the stove. When we finally sat down to eat, my daughter took one bite and said, “Mom, this tastes like you actually had time to make dinner!” It was the best backhanded compliment I’d ever received!

Since then, forgotten chicken has become our family’s go-to comfort meal. It reminds us that even on our busiest days, we can still gather around something homemade and delicious. It’s not just a recipe in our house—it’s a tradition.

Nutritional Information

While I’m all about balance (yes, that means chocolate is still a food group!), here’s the approximate nutritional breakdown per serving (assuming 6 servings):

• Calories: 420 per serving
• Protein: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fat: 16g
• Fiber: 1g (more if you add vegetables!)
• Sodium: 890mg

This forgotten chicken and rice recipe provides approximately 35% of your daily protein needs and is about 25% lower in calories than similar restaurant chicken and rice dishes. The chicken delivers lean protein while the rice offers energy-sustaining carbohydrates.

Healthier Alternatives

Looking to make this forgotten chicken recipe work for different dietary needs? I’ve got you covered:

• Lower sodium version: Use low-sodium soups and broth, and reduce the onion soup mix to half a packet
• Whole grain boost: Substitute brown rice for white rice (note: increase broth by ½ cup and cooking time by 15-20 minutes)
• Dairy-free option: Replace butter with olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative
• Extra veggies: Add up to 2 cups of mixed vegetables to boost the nutritional profile
• Leaner version: Use chicken tenderloins instead of full breasts and reduce butter to 2 tablespoons

Remember, flexible recipes like this are perfect for making healthy swaps while keeping all the comfort!

Serving Suggestions

My favorite way to serve this forgotten chicken recipe is family-style, right in the baking dish (fewer dishes to wash is always a win!). Here are some perfect pairings:

• Serve with a fresh side salad tossed in a light vinaigrette for a crisp, refreshing contrast
• Steamed broccoli or green beans for extra green goodness
• Warm dinner rolls or crusty bread for soaking up the delicious sauce
• A glass of chilled Pinot Grigio for the adults (you deserve it!)
• Fresh fruit for dessert to balance the savory meal

This dish is perfect for those evenings when you want to throw on your comfy pants, queue up your favorite show, and enjoy a no-fuss dinner that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even a “forget it” recipe has a few pitfalls to watch for:

1. Not covering the dish properly – The foil seal is crucial for cooking the rice. Make sure it’s tight!

2. Opening the oven too early – Resist the urge to peek until at least an hour has passed. Every time you open the oven, you release steam needed for cooking the rice.

3. Using instant rice – This recipe is designed for regular long-grain rice. Instant rice will turn to mush.

4. Skipping the rest time – Those 10 minutes of resting allow the excess moisture to be absorbed, giving you perfect texture.

5. Overcrowding the dish – If you’re doubling up on chicken, use a larger baking dish so everything cooks evenly.

If your rice ends up a bit crunchy, don’t panic! Add ¼ cup hot water or broth, cover again, and return to the oven for 15 more minutes.

Storing & Reheating Tips

One of the many reasons I love this recipe for forgotten chicken is that it makes excellent leftovers! Here’s how to handle them:

• Refrigerator storage: Place cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

• Freezer option: This dish freezes beautifully for up to 3 months! Portion into individual servings before freezing for easy grab-and-go meals.

• Best reheating method: For refrigerated leftovers, add a splash of water or broth before microwaving covered for 2-3 minutes. For frozen portions, thaw overnight in the refrigerator first.

• Refresh trick: Sprinkle a few drops of water over the rice before reheating, then add a fresh sprinkle of herbs to make it taste freshly made.

The flavors actually develop overnight, making next-day forgotten chicken sometimes even better than the original!

FAQs

Can I use bone-in chicken for this forgotten chicken and rice recipe?

Absolutely! Bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks work beautifully in this recipe. They add extra flavor, though they may take about 15 minutes longer to cook. Be sure to cook them until the internal temperature hits 165°F for safe and juicy results.

How do I know if my forgotten chicken recipe is done cooking?

Your dish is ready when the rice is tender, the liquid is absorbed, and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. If you don’t have a meat thermometer (though I highly recommend getting one!), cut into the thickest part of the chicken – it should be completely white with clear juices.

Can I prepare this amazing forgotten chicken recipe in advance?

Yes! You can assemble everything up to 24 hours ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator. When ready to cook, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking. You may need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if it’s still cold.

Why is my rice still crunchy in my forgotten chicken recipe?

This usually happens if there wasn’t enough liquid, the oven temperature was too high, or the foil wasn’t sealed tightly. Add ¼-½ cup of hot chicken broth, re-cover tightly with foil, and continue baking for 15-20 minutes.

Final Thoughts

This forgotten chicken recipe has been my saving grace on countless busy weeknights, and I hope it brings the same comforting simplicity to your home. There’s something truly magical about a dish that requires so little of your attention yet delivers such delicious results.

Whether you’re feeding picky children, impressing dinner guests, or simply treating yourself to a hassle-free home-cooked meal, this forgotten chicken and rice casserole delivers every time. The beauty lies in its forgettable nature – you literally put it in the oven and forget it until dinner time!

Remember, cooking doesn’t need to be complicated to be delicious. Sometimes the most memorable meals are the ones that gave you time to focus on what really matters – connecting with those around your table.

I’d love to hear if you try this forgotten chicken recipe! Did you add any special touches? Did your family love it as much as mine does? Drop me a comment and let me know!

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