Forgotten Chicken and Rice Recipe

Accueil / Creative Fusions / Forgotten Chicken and Rice Recipe — The Ultimate Comfort Dish

Looking for a cozy, no-fuss meal? This Forgotten Chicken and Rice Recipe is the ultimate comfort food—creamy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. With tender chicken, savory soups, and fluffy rice, it’s a nostalgic classic your family will ask for again and again.

Hey there, friend! If you’re anything like me, you love a good meal that tastes like you’ve been cooking all day — but really took just a few minutes to throw together. That’s where this Forgotten Chicken and Rice Recipe shines. It’s the kind of dish you can prep in a flash, pop in the oven, and quite literally forget about until it’s time to eat.

This classic casserole has been around for generations, and there’s a reason it keeps coming back — it’s just that good. The tender chicken, creamy rice, and savory flavor are a warm hug in a dish. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or just want leftovers for lunch, this one’s a winner. Let’s dig in!

This classic casserole has been around for generations, much like the traditional Southern chicken and rice recipe — both offer that comforting, home-cooked feel we all crave.

Main Ingredients (and Why They Work)

Here’s everything you’ll need to whip up the perfect forgotten chicken and rice recipe. Each ingredient plays a starring role in making this dish so irresistible.

2 cups Minute Rice: The quick-cooking rice soaks up all the flavor without needing to be pre-cooked.
1 can cream of chicken soup: Adds a rich, savory base.
1 can cream of celery soup: Brings a slightly herby balance that pairs beautifully with chicken.
1 can water (use the soup can to measure): Helps the rice cook up just right.
5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1½ lbs): Lean, hearty protein that cooks up tender in the oven.
1 envelope onion soup mix: Adds an instant punch of savory flavor.
Butter (for greasing the dish): Keeps everything from sticking and adds a little richness.

Together, these ingredients create a creamy, flavorful casserole that’s hard to beat.

forgotten chicken and rice recipe ingredients

Additional Ingredients You Can Try

Want to switch it up a little or make the recipe your own? Here are some tasty add-ins and easy swaps:

Fresh veggies: Add chopped carrots, mushrooms, or frozen peas for extra color and nutrients.
Brown rice: Works too, but you’ll need to increase the baking time and liquid slightly.
Cream of mushroom soup: A great alternative if you’re out of cream of celery.
Shredded cheese: Stir a cup into the rice mixture or sprinkle some on top before baking for extra richness.
Spices: A little garlic powder or smoked paprika can add even more flavor.

Looking for a rice dish with a totally different vibe? Try this flavorful Japanese chicken fried rice for a quick weeknight stir-fry option.

Not a fan of chicken breast? You can swap it out for sausage — like in these tasty chicken sausage and rice recipes.

Mix and match based on what you’ve got in your pantry!

Expert Tips for Foolproof Results

Even though this forgotten chicken and rice recipe is super simple, a few little tricks can really level it up. Here’s what I’ve learned after making this dish more times than I can count:

Use foil — tightly: Cover your baking dish with foil to trap moisture and help the rice cook evenly. Skipping this step could leave you with crunchy rice.
Don’t overthink the chicken: You don’t need to pre-cook it. Just lay the raw chicken breasts on top — they’ll come out perfectly juicy by the end.
Grease your dish well: Trust me, scraping stuck rice off the pan isn’t fun. A little butter or non-stick spray goes a long way.
Give it a rest: After baking, let the casserole sit for about 5-10 minutes before digging in. It thickens up nicely and is easier to serve.
Double the recipe: If you’ve got a big family (like mine) or love leftovers, this dish doubles beautifully.
Use thin chicken breasts: Thinner cuts cook more evenly and soak up the flavor better. If yours are thick, consider slicing them in half.

Recommended Techniques

Here’s a quick list of best practices to make your forgotten chicken and rice recipe even better:

Grease the dish generously to prevent sticking.
Stir the rice and soups thoroughly before pouring into the dish.
Lay the chicken flat and evenly on top of the rice.
Spread onion soup mix evenly for full flavor distribution.
Seal the foil tightly to trap steam.
Let it rest before serving for a creamy, cohesive texture.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This gives everything the perfect cooking environment.
Grease your 9×13 baking dish with butter or non-stick spray to prevent any sticking.
In a large bowl, mix the Minute Rice, cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, and one can of water. Stir until well combined.
Pour the mixture into the baking dish, spreading it evenly.
Place the chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture, spacing them out evenly.
Sprinkle the onion soup mix over the top of the chicken and rice.
Cover the dish tightly with foil to trap in all that good steam.
Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Don’t peek! Let the oven do its magic.
Remove from the oven and let sit 5-10 minutes before serving.

Additional Guide: Variations & Special Techniques

This recipe is super forgiving, which is one of the reasons I love it so much. Here are a few more ways you can personalize it:

Creamier version: Add half a cup of sour cream or a dollop of cream cheese to the soup mixture.
Spicy twist: Toss in a few dashes of hot sauce or chopped jalapeños.
One-pan dinner: Add a layer of frozen green beans or broccoli florets right under the chicken.
Kid-friendly: Use chicken tenders and sprinkle shredded cheese on top before serving.

FAQs About the Forgotten Chicken and Rice Recipe

What if I don’t have Minute Rice?

You can use regular rice, but it’ll need more liquid and a longer bake time. Keep an eye on it.

Can I freeze the leftovers?

Definitely! Let it cool completely, portion it into containers, and freeze. It reheats well in the microwave or oven.

Conclusion

There you have it — the forgotten chicken and rice recipe that’s been loved for generations and now has a place in your kitchen too. It’s simple, satisfying, and perfect for those nights when you need a break but still want to serve up something special.

I hope you’ll give it a try and make it your own. Maybe even pass it down, like a good story or a favorite blanket. Because food, at its heart, is about sharing — and this dish is too good not to share.

You can even switch out the chicken breasts for drumsticks like in this chicken drumstick and rice recipe — it’s a fun twist!

Until next time, happy cooking from my Florida kitchen to yours!