Forgotten Chicken Recipe: A Comforting Classic
Forgotten Chicken is a beloved comfort dish that combines simplicity with heartwarming flavors. It’s the perfect recipe for those busy days when you want a delicious, satisfying meal but don’t have time for complicated cooking. This dish gets its name because after assembling, you simply “forget” it in the oven as it bakes to perfection. With tender chicken breasts, creamy rice, and savory onion flavor, it’s sure to be a family favorite.
What is Forgotten Chicken?
Forgotten Chicken is an easy-to-make casserole dish where chicken breasts bake on top of a bed of creamy rice mixed with flavorful soups. It’s named “Forgotten Chicken” because once the ingredients are assembled and placed in the oven, you can leave it to cook without much attention. The result is a tender, juicy chicken and perfectly cooked rice, all in one dish.
Ingredients for Forgotten Chicken
To make this dish, you only need a few simple ingredients, most of which are pantry staples. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 cups minute rice – Instant rice that cooks quickly and absorbs the flavors of the dish.
- 1 can cream of chicken soup – Adds rich, savory flavor to the rice.
- 1 can cream of celery soup – Provides a smooth, slightly herbal taste to balance the dish.
- 1 can water (use soup can for measurement) – To help cook the rice.
- 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ½ lbs) – These become tender and juicy as they bake.
- 1 envelope onion soup mix – Adds a burst of flavor, complementing the chicken and rice.
- Butter – For greasing the baking dish.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter to prevent sticking, ensuring that the rice and chicken cook evenly.
Prepare the Rice Mixture
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the minute rice, cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, and water. Use the soup can to measure out the water, ensuring you have the right amount. Stir until everything is mixed together thoroughly. This creamy base will cook into a soft, flavorful rice that pairs perfectly with the chicken.
Assemble the Dish
Pour the rice mixture into the greased baking dish, spreading it evenly to cover the bottom of the dish. This will create a bed of creamy rice for the chicken to cook on.
Add the Chicken and Soup Mix
Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture, spacing them out evenly. Next, sprinkle the onion soup mix over the chicken. The onion soup mix adds an extra layer of flavor, giving the dish a savory, aromatic touch.
Bake the Dish
Cover the baking dish tightly with foil to lock in moisture and flavor. Bake in the preheated oven for 90 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the rice has absorbed all the liquid. The chicken should be tender and the rice should be creamy and flavorful.
Serve
Once the dish is cooked, remove it from the oven, uncover, and serve hot. The chicken will be tender, and the rice will be creamy and flavorful, infused with the savory tastes of the soups and onion mix. Serve with your favorite side vegetables or a simple salad for a complete meal.
Why Forgotten Chicken is Perfect for Busy Days
Forgotten Chicken is ideal for those days when you’re busy but still want a comforting, home-cooked meal. The prep time is minimal, and once it’s in the oven, you can simply “forget” it for 90 minutes while you go about your day. The beauty of this dish is its simplicity – with only a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, you can have a hearty meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a family gathering.
Tips for Making the Perfect Forgotten Chicken
- Use minute rice for best results. Regular rice may not cook properly in this recipe due to the cooking time and liquid ratios.
- Check the chicken’s internal temperature to ensure it’s fully cooked. The chicken should reach 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption.
- Don’t skip the onion soup mix – it adds a lot of flavor to the dish. You can use homemade onion soup mix if you prefer to control the ingredients.
- Feel free to add vegetables like frozen peas or carrots to the rice mixture for added nutrition and texture.
Variations of Forgotten Chicken
Forgotten Chicken is a versatile recipe that can be easily modified to suit your tastes or dietary needs. Here are a few variations you might like to try:
Cheesy Forgotten Chicken
Add shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese to the rice mixture before baking. This will create a rich, cheesy dish that’s perfect for cheese lovers.
Spicy Forgotten Chicken
Add diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the rice mixture for a bit of heat. You can also sprinkle the chicken breasts with paprika or chili powder for extra spice.
Vegetable-Packed Forgotten Chicken
Mix in your favorite vegetables, such as broccoli, peas, or carrots, with the rice mixture. This adds extra flavor, texture, and nutrition to the dish.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Here’s a rough breakdown of the nutritional content per serving of Forgotten Chicken:
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Protein: 32g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sodium: 1100mg
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Note: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten-Free Friendly (if using gluten-free soups and rice)
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of rice?
Yes, you can use long-grain white rice or brown rice, but the cooking time and liquid ratio may need to be adjusted. Minute rice is recommended for the best texture and consistency.
2. Can I substitute the cream of celery soup?
Absolutely. You can use cream of mushroom soup, cream of broccoli, or even cream of onion soup as a substitute.
3. How do I know if the chicken is fully cooked?
The best way to ensure the chicken is fully cooked is by using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C).
4. Can I add vegetables to the dish?
Yes! You can add frozen or fresh vegetables like peas, carrots, or broccoli to the rice mixture before baking.
5. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the dish ahead of time, cover it with foil, and refrigerate it until ready to bake. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if baking straight from the refrigerator.
Forgotten Chicken is the perfect solution for a hearty, no-fuss dinner that will satisfy the whole family. Whether you’re short on time or just want a low-maintenance meal, this dish is a fantastic option. With its creamy rice base and flavorful chicken, it’s sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation.
Print
Forgotten Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Forgotten Chicken is a simple, one-pan casserole dish that requires minimal effort but delivers a flavorful, comforting meal. With tender chicken breasts baked on top of creamy, flavorful rice mixed with savory soup, this dish gets its name from the fact that you can “forget” about it as it bakes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe combines convenience with deliciousness.
Ingredients
- 2 cups minute rice
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 can cream of celery soup
- 1 can water (use the soup can for measurement)
- 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ½ lbs)
- 1 envelope onion soup mix
- Butter (for greasing the dish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter. - Prepare the Rice Mixture
In a medium bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, water, and minute rice. Mix until fully combined. - Assemble the Dish
Pour the rice mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
Place the chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture.
Sprinkle the onion soup mix evenly over the chicken. - Bake the Dish
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 90 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked, and the rice has absorbed the liquid. - Serve
Remove the foil and serve hot. Enjoy the flavorful, tender chicken and creamy rice!
Notes
- Minute rice is crucial for this recipe because it cooks quickly and absorbs the liquid well. Using regular rice may require adjustments to the cooking time and liquid amounts.
- The chicken breasts can be substituted with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a more tender result.
- This dish can be prepared in advance and baked later, making it perfect for meal prep or busy schedules.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sodium: 1100mg
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Forgotten Chicken Recipe