This amazing forgotten chicken recipe is a creamy, oven-baked comfort food classic made with pantry staples like Minute rice, chicken, and onion soup mix. Quick to prep, easy to forget, and even easier to love — perfect for weeknights or cozy family dinners.
Amazing forgotten chicken is one of those magical meals that lives up to its name — it’s easy to make, unbelievably tasty, and practically takes care of itself in the oven. It’s the kind of recipe that becomes a family favorite without even trying. You throw it together in minutes, pop it in the oven, and then — well — you forget about it until your kitchen starts smelling like pure comfort.
I love how this dish combines creamy soups, tender chicken, and fluffy rice with the nostalgic flavor of onion soup mix — just like in this forgotten chicken and rice recipe that also keeps things simple and satisfying. It’s hearty, no-fuss, and made with ingredients I always seem to have in the pantry. Whether you’re wrangling kids, catching up on laundry, or just want something warm and satisfying at the end of a long day, amazing forgotten chicken is your reliable dinner-time hero. Let’s dive in and make dinner simple again.
Table of contents
Main Ingredients for Amazing Forgotten Chicken
To create the amazing forgotten chicken masterpiece, you only need a handful of everyday ingredients. Here’s what makes it magic:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts – Lean and tender, these cook beautifully in the oven.
- 2 cups Minute rice (uncooked) – A quick-cooking rice that absorbs all the creamy goodness as it bakes, much like in this comforting chicken rice mushroom soup recipe.
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup – Adds an earthy, rich flavor that pairs perfectly with the chicken.
- 1 can cream of chicken soup – This brings in extra creaminess and enhances the overall chicken flavor.
- 1 can of water (use the empty soup can) – Keeps everything moist and helps the rice cook evenly.
- 1 envelope Lipton onion soup mix – The secret seasoning that ties it all together with bold, savory notes.
- 1 tbsp butter – A little richness on top never hurts!
These ingredients combine effortlessly to create that amazing forgotten chicken taste that’s creamy, savory, and just plain comforting.
Additional Ingredients
Want to mix it up a bit? Here are some optional ingredients and simple swaps that keep things interesting:
- Chicken thighs – Prefer dark meat? Thighs are juicier and work great here.
- Frozen mixed vegetables – Toss in a cup for color and nutrition without any extra work.
- Cream of celery soup – A great substitute if you’re out of mushroom or want a lighter flavor.
- Brown rice – Works too, but it’ll need extra liquid and a bit more time to cook.
- Sliced mushrooms or sautéed onions – For added depth and texture.
- Want to change up the flavor profile entirely? You could go bold with spices inspired by this flavorful Vijayawada chicken biryani — though it’s a bit more hands-on!
These tweaks don’t mess with the essence of the amazing forgotten chicken — they just give you room to make it your own.
Expert Tips
Here’s where I share all the little tricks I’ve picked up from making this dish dozens of times. Trust me, these tips will make your amazing forgotten chicken turn out perfectly every single time:
- Cover it tightly – That foil cover is key. It locks in steam so your rice cooks through and your chicken stays juicy.
- Don’t overcook – 1 hour covered + 15–20 minutes uncovered is just right. Any longer and you risk drying out the chicken.
- Check the rice – Minute rice usually turns out fine, but oven temps vary. If the rice isn’t quite done, give it an extra 5-10 minutes.
- Slice butter thinly – Dotting little pieces over the top ensures it melts evenly and helps with browning.
- Let it rest – Give the casserole 5–10 minutes to settle after baking. It helps everything thicken and makes serving easier.
- Use a deep dish – A standard 9×13″ works great, but make sure it’s deep enough so nothing bubbles over.
- Looking for a lighter option? Try using techniques from this low sodium chicken bake to reduce salt without sacrificing flavor.
Following these simple tips keeps your amazing forgotten chicken creamy, flavorful, and absolutely fuss-free.
Recommended Cooking Techniques
- Layering Order: Start with rice, add soup mixture, then chicken, followed by the onion soup mix and butter.
- Even Spreading: Stir the soup and water well before pouring to ensure even coverage.
- Sealing with Foil: Crimp the foil around the edges to lock in moisture.
- Serving Suggestion: Let it cool slightly, then serve with a green salad or steamed veggies for a balanced plate.
Simple steps, big payoff — that’s the beauty of the amazing forgotten chicken method.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). You’ll want that nice and hot before the casserole goes in.
- Spray your baking dish lightly with non-stick cooking spray. It helps with cleanup later.
- Spread the Minute rice evenly over the bottom of your dish.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, and water. Stir until smooth.
- Pour the soup mixture over the rice, making sure it’s distributed evenly.
- Place the chicken breasts right on top of the soup mixture.
- Sprinkle the Lipton onion soup mix over everything.
- Dot the top with butter slices for a touch of richness.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour.
- Uncover and bake for another 15–20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
That’s it! Serve and enjoy every comforting bite of this amazing forgotten chicken.
Additional Guide for Amazing Forgotten Chicken
Want to take things up a notch? Here are a few fun variations:
- Tex-Mex Twist – Add taco seasoning to the soup mix and sprinkle shredded cheese on top for the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Cheesy Delight – Stir shredded cheddar or mozzarella into the soup mixture before baking.
- Herb Upgrade – Toss in some fresh thyme or rosemary with the rice for a fragrant touch.
- Slow Cooker Option – Combine everything in your crockpot and cook on low for 4–5 hours. The rice won’t be as fluffy, but it’s still tasty.
- For a twist on tradition, combine elements of this recipe with what you’d find in a creamy chicken and rice soup — just swap the Minute rice for pre-cooked rice and thin the soup mixture a bit.
Whichever way you go, the heart of the amazing forgotten chicken remains — easy, creamy, and satisfying.
FAQs: Amazing Forgotten Chicken
You can use long-grain rice, but you’ll need more liquid (about ½ cup extra water) and it may need to bake longer.
Absolutely! Frozen mixed vegetables, peas, or even broccoli go great in this dish — especially if you’re going for something more colorful, like in this chicken rice and beans recipe.
Conclusion
There you have it — a dish that’s stood the test of time for good reason. This amazing forgotten chicken is exactly the kind of meal I love: comforting, simple, and full of flavor. Plus, it lets you step away from the kitchen while dinner takes care of itself.
Whether you’re feeding your family on a busy weeknight or bringing something hearty to a potluck, this recipe never disappoints. I hope you give it a try, and if you do, let me know how it turns out! And if you love easy, hearty dinners like this one, don’t miss my gluten free chicken and rice bake — it’s just as comforting, with a wholesome twist.
Thanks for stopping by my kitchen. Until next time — happy cooking!
Warmly,
Amazing Forgotten Chicken
Equipment
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups Minute rice (uncooked)
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 can water (use empty soup can)
- 1 envelope Lipton onion soup mix
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Spread the uncooked Minute rice evenly in the dish.
- In a bowl, whisk together both soups and the can of water until smooth.
- Pour the soup mixture over the rice, then place chicken breasts on top.
- Sprinkle the onion soup mix over the chicken and dot with butter.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour.
- Uncover and bake for an additional 15–20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
