🍗 Forgotten Chicken – The Lazy-Day Dinner You’ll Always Remember
Some recipes stick with you not because they’re flashy or fancy—but because they just work. Forgotten Chicken is one of those. It’s the recipe you turn to when life is chaotic, your energy is low, or you just want something hearty and homemade without lifting more than a spoon.
With only a handful of pantry staples and virtually no effort, this dish transforms into a savory, comforting meal of juicy chicken nestled in creamy, seasoned rice. It bakes in one pan, makes your house smell amazing, and comes out tasting like you spent hours in the kitchen—even though you “forgot” all about it.
💛 Why It’s Called “Forgotten Chicken”
The name says it all: you assemble the ingredients, cover them up, and pop the whole dish into the oven. Then you forget about it while it bakes low and slow, doing all the magic while you focus on literally anything else. No peeking, no stirring—just walk away and come back to a perfectly cooked dinner.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Completely hands-off – No babysitting required.
✅ One dish = less cleanup – Everything cooks together.
✅ Flavorful, creamy rice + crispy chicken – Total comfort food.
✅ Kid-approved and budget-friendly – Feeds a family with ease.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or use thighs for extra juiciness)
- 1 cup (190g) uncooked long-grain white rice (do not use instant rice)
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup (cream of mushroom or celery also works)
- 1 (10.5 oz) can water (just fill the soup can to measure)
- ½ cup (120ml) milk (or use chicken broth for deeper flavor)
- 1 (1 oz) packet dry onion soup mix (or ranch seasoning for a twist!)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika (adds color and a touch of smokiness)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Optional Add-Ins:
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots (or any frozen veggie mix)
- Shredded cheese (sprinkled on in the last 5–10 mins for a melty finish)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Mix the Base
In the bottom of the baking dish, whisk together the uncooked rice, cream of chicken soup, water, milk, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth.
If using veggies, stir them in now.
3. Add the Chicken
Nestle the chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture.
Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the top of the chicken.
4. Bake & Forget
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes (up to 1 hour 30 mins for thick chicken pieces). Resist the urge to peek—it’s doing its thing.
Uncover during the last 10 minutes if you’d like the chicken to crisp up slightly.
Optional: Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top at this stage and return to the oven uncovered until melted.
5. Serve & Enjoy
Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. The rice will be creamy, the chicken tender, and your kitchen filled with delicious, comforting aromas.
🔥 Pro Tips for Perfect Forgotten Chicken
- Use regular long-grain white rice. Instant or minute rice will overcook.
- Add veggies before baking if you want an all-in-one meal.
- Chicken thighs are a flavorful, juicy alternative to breasts.
- Use broth instead of water for added savory richness.
- Want crispy cheese? Uncover and broil for 2-3 minutes at the end.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
This dish is hearty on its own, but here are a few great pairings:
✨ Steamed green beans or roasted broccoli for fresh balance
✨ Crisp salad with vinaigrette to cut the richness
✨ Dinner rolls or biscuits to scoop up the creamy rice
✨ Hot sauce or fresh herbs for topping if you want a little flair
❄️ Make Ahead & Storage
- Make Ahead: Assemble the entire dish (without baking), cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours ahead. Bake as directed, adding 5–10 minutes to the time.
- Leftovers: Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Fully baked and cooled portions freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or oven.
✨ Final Thoughts: A Set-It-and-Forget-It Classic
Forgotten Chicken is the ultimate in fuss-free comfort food. Whether you’re a busy parent, a beginner cook, or just someone who hates doing dishes, this dish delivers big rewards with almost zero effort.
It’s warm. It’s hearty. It’s creamy. It’s crispy. It’s everything you want from a home-cooked meal—without hovering over the stove.
Bake it tonight, and let yourself forget all about dinner—until it’s ready to enjoy. 😍🍽️
Would you like this turned into a printable recipe card, a Pinterest pin, or a mini meal planner format? Happy to help!