This is the ultimate “set it and forget it” comfort meal. It’s called Forgotten Chicken because once you pop it in the oven, you can completely ignore it for over an hour. There’s no searing, no sautéing, and—best of all—only one dish to wash.
The magic happens when the rice absorbs the flavors of the cream soups and the chicken juices, resulting in a texture that is part-casserole, part-risotto.
🍗 Ingredients
| Item | Quantity | Notes |
| Chicken | 1.5 to 2 lbs | Boneless, skinless breasts or thighs |
| Rice | 1 cup | Long-grain white rice (uncooked) |
| Cream Soup 1 | 1 can (10.5 oz) | Cream of Mushroom |
| Cream Soup 2 | 1 can (10.5 oz) | Cream of Chicken (or Celery) |
| Liquid | 1 can (10.5 oz) | Water (use the empty soup can to measure) |
| Seasoning | 1 packet | Dry Onion Soup Mix (e.g., Lipton) |
| Butter | 2 tbsp | Melted (optional, for extra richness) |
🥣 Instructions
1. The Mix
Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a 9×13 inch baking dish, combine the uncooked rice, both cans of soup, and the can of water. Stir it right in the pan until the soup is smooth and the rice is evenly distributed.
2. The Chicken
Place the chicken pieces on top of the rice mixture. If you’re using large chicken breasts, you can cut them in half so they cook evenly with the rice.
3. The “Flavor Bomb”
Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the top of the chicken and the rice. This provides all the salt and savory onion flavor you need—no extra spices required!
4. The Seal (Crucial Step!)
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
Why? You need to trap every bit of steam to cook the rice. If the foil isn’t tight, the rice will stay crunchy and the chicken will dry out.
5. Forget It
Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Resist the urge to peek!
✨ Tips for a Perfect Result
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Don’t use Minute Rice: This recipe is designed for standard long-grain white rice. Instant rice will turn to mush during the long bake time.
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Brown Rice Variation: If you prefer brown rice, you will need to add an extra 1/2 cup of water and increase the bake time to 1 hour and 45 minutes.
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Add Veggies: If you want a complete meal in one pan, stir in a cup of frozen peas or broccoli florets into the rice mixture before adding the chicken.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
Since this is a rich, savory dish, it pairs perfectly with something bright and crisp:
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A simple green garden salad with vinaigrette.
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Steamed green beans with a squeeze of lemon.
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Roasted carrots.