Forgotten Chicken (Easy Baked Chicken & Rice Casserole)

It’s called Forgotten Chicken for a reason—once you pop it in the oven, you can literally forget about it! This old-school classic is the definition of a no-fuss, no-stress dinner. Just stir, layer, and bake. The result? Tender chicken and flavorful rice in a creamy, savory sauce that tastes like it’s been slow-cooked all day.
Whether you’re feeding a busy family or just want something hands-off and hearty, this recipe is a keeper!
Ingredients
- 2 cups minute rice (uncooked)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of celery soup
- 1 can water (use empty soup can to measure)
- 5 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (about 1½ lbs)
- 1 envelope dry onion soup mix
- Butter (for greasing the baking dish)
Instructions
1. Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
2. Mix the Base
In the baking dish, stir together the minute rice, cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, and water until well combined.
3. Add the Chicken
Lay the chicken thighs or breasts directly on top of the rice mixture.
4. Sprinkle the Magic
Evenly sprinkle the dry onion soup mix over the top of the chicken.
5. Bake & Forget It
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes (or up to 1½ hours if using large chicken breasts). No peeking!
The rice will absorb the creamy sauce, and the chicken will become fall-apart tender.
Tips & Variations
- Want extra flavor? Add a splash of chicken broth instead of water.
- You can swap cream of celery for cream of mushroom if that’s what you have on hand.
- Add frozen peas or broccoli during the last 15 minutes of baking for a built-in veggie side.
Serving Suggestions
Serve hot with a simple green salad or steamed veggies, and you’ve got a full meal with almost no cleanup!
Storage
Leftovers keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven with a splash of water to keep it moist.
This Forgotten Chicken is old-fashioned comfort at its finest—minimal effort, maximum flavor. One bite, and you’ll understand why it’s been passed down for generations!
#EasyChickenDinner #ComfortFood #RetroRecipes #OnePanWonder