Quick and Easy Forgotten Chicken

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

Imagine a dinner that practically cooks itself, filling your kitchen with warm, savory aromas while you get on with your evening. Quick and Easy Forgotten Chicken is exactly that kind of meal. With just a handful of pantry staples and minimal effort, you’ll have a comforting casserole that tastes like you’ve been in the kitchen all day.

This dish is a nostalgic nod to weeknight dinners from childhood, where everything went into one pan and emerged golden, bubbling, and irresistibly delicious. Creamy, flavorful rice cradles juicy chicken thighs, all baked to perfection with a crispy top. It’s comfort food that loves you back.

---

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

To make this Quick and Easy Forgotten Chicken, the right tools make all the difference in achieving that cozy, no-fuss result:

• 9×13-Inch Baking Dish: This is your main stage. It gives enough room for the chicken to bake evenly and the rice to cook through without becoming mushy.
• Mixing Bowl: Needed to combine the creamy soup base and seasonings before layering them into the dish.
• Measuring Cups & Spoons: Precision counts when working with rice and liquid ratios to avoid undercooked or soggy results.
• Aluminum Foil: Covering the dish traps moisture and helps the rice cook fully. It also keeps the chicken tender.
• Oven Mitts: This dish goes straight from oven to table. Safety first, style second!

Keep your cleanup minimal by using nonstick spray on your baking dish and mixing everything right in the pan if you’re feeling adventurous.

---

Ingredients for the Quick and Easy Forgotten Chicken

Each ingredient in this recipe is doing a little heavy lifting to create comfort in every bite:

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: These stay juicy during baking and soak up all the creamy flavor.
• Long Grain White Rice: A dependable base that cooks right in the casserole, absorbing all the savory juices.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: Adds creaminess and savory depth, acting as the sauce that brings everything together.
• Cream of Celery Soup: Balances the richness of the chicken soup with subtle aromatic notes.
• Water or Chicken Broth: Essential for cooking the rice and creating that saucy texture. Broth boosts the flavor.
• Lipton Onion Soup Mix: The flavor powerhouse. It adds a savory, caramelized onion profile with no extra prep.
• Salt & Pepper: Simple but necessary to season the chicken and enhance all the flavors.

---

How To Make the Quick and Easy Forgotten Chicken

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a bit of butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Layer the Rice and Soup Mixture

In a medium bowl, mix together the cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, and water or chicken broth until well combined. Stir in the uncooked rice. Pour this mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish.

Step 3: Add Chicken and Season

Place the chicken thighs on top of the rice mixture. Press them in just slightly so they’re nestled into the mixture but not submerged. Sprinkle the onion soup mix evenly over the chicken.

Step 4: Cover and Bake

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes. The foil helps trap steam, allowing the rice to cook through perfectly.

Step 5: Uncover and Crisp

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the edges are bubbling. Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving to allow everything to settle.

---

How to Serve and Store Your Quick and Easy Forgotten Chicken

When it comes out of the oven, this dish is already a full meal—chicken and rice, creamy and deeply flavorful. Simply spoon it onto plates and garnish with a bit of fresh parsley or thyme for a pop of color and freshness.

If you’d like to stretch it into more servings or add some contrast, pair it with a simple green salad, steamed broccoli, or roasted carrots. It’s a great option for weeknights, lazy Sundays, or when you’re feeding a hungry crowd.

To store:
Let the dish cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. It will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the whole dish in the oven at 325°F until heated through. The flavors deepen overnight, making leftovers just as delightful.

To freeze:
Portion into freezer-safe containers and store for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make this with chicken breasts instead of thighs?

You can substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts—just be careful not to overcook them. They tend to be less forgiving than thighs and may turn out drier.

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Brown rice takes longer to cook and may not fully soften using the same baking time. If using brown rice, parboil it first or increase the baking time significantly.

Is it okay to use only one kind of cream soup?

Yes! You can use two cans of cream of chicken or swap for cream of mushroom. The combination just gives more dimension to the flavor.

Can I add vegetables?

Absolutely! Peas, carrots, or mushrooms work well. Stir them into the rice mixture before adding the chicken.

How do I know when it’s done?

The rice should be tender and the chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. The top will look slightly golden and bubbling around the edges.

---

Want More Chicken Dinner Ideas?

If you love this Quick and Easy Forgotten Chicken, here are more delicious comfort meals you’ll want to try next:

• Chicken and Stuffing Casserole for a cozy, all-in-one classic.
• Sweet Garlic Chicken in the Crockpot for slow-cooked flavor with no effort.
• Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet if you’re craving that buttery restaurant-style goodness.
• Longhorn Parmesan Chicken for a cheesy, crusted twist.
• One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Mac & Cheese for a family-favorite fusion dish.

Looking for more comfort food classics and easy meals? Check out what I’m sharing daily on my Pinterest at Life With Olivia.

---

Save This Recipe for Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you’ll always have it ready on your busiest weeknights.

And if you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Did you add extra veggies? Use a different cream soup combo? Let’s chat in the comments!

Your kitchen experiments inspire others too, so feel free to share your version and ask questions.

---

Print

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?