Forgotten Chicken Recipe: 7 Easy Steps for a Stress-Free Dinner

There are dinners you plan… and then there are dinners that save you. This Forgotten Chicken recipe is firmly in the second camp—because, let’s be real, some nights you just want to throw everything in a pan, walk away, and come back to something warm, creamy, and satisfying. If you’ve ever juggled work, a toddler tantrum, and a hungry spouse at the same time (hi, I see you!), this is the kind of meal that feels like a kitchen miracle.

No fancy ingredients, no complicated steps—just a few pantry staples and 90 minutes of hands-off magic. Let’s talk about why this old-school recipe deserves a permanent spot in your weekly rotation.

Why You’ll Love This Forgotten Chicken Recipe

Here’s the beauty of Forgotten Chicken: it’s like the culinary equivalent of setting your slow cooker but using your oven instead. Once it’s in the oven, you can quite literally forget it (hence the name) until dinnertime.

It’s perfect for:

• Busy weeknights when cooking feels like a chore
• Feeding picky eaters who love creamy comfort food
• Potlucks or casual get-togethers (yes, it reheats like a dream!)

Oh, and did I mention it only takes about 10 minutes to prep?

Ingredients

You probably have most of these on hand already:

• 2 cups Minute rice
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ½ lbs)
• 1 can cream of celery soup
• 1 can water (just fill one of the soup cans)
• Butter, for greasing the dish
• 1 envelope onion soup mix

Looking for a homemade version of cream of chicken soup? Check out this quick DIY substitute

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep:
Preheat your oven to 350°F and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Don’t skip the butter—it’s your crispy, golden secret weapon.

2. Mix the Base:
In a medium bowl, stir together the cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, one can of water, and the Minute rice. Pour this creamy mixture into your prepared baking dish.

3. Add the Chicken:
Lay the chicken breasts right on top of the rice mixture. No need to chop or pre-cook—just place them as-is.

4. Sprinkle & Cover:
Evenly sprinkle the onion soup mix over the chicken. Then, tightly cover the dish with aluminum foil. This traps in all the moisture and flavor.

5. Bake & (Literally) Forget It:
Pop it in the oven and bake for 90 minutes. Don’t peek! That foil is doing important work in there. When time’s up, your chicken will be tender, and the rice perfectly cooked and infused with creamy goodness.

Quick Tips for Forgotten Chicken Success

• Use minute rice only. Long grain won’t cook properly and could leave you with a crunchy disaster.
• Want a twist? Try adding frozen peas or diced mushrooms to the rice mixture before baking.
• Thin chicken breasts cook faster. If yours are on the thicker side, give them a few extra minutes or check doneness with a thermometer (165°F is the goal).
• Don’t skip the foil. I repeat: Do. Not. Skip. The. Foil. It’s the secret to that dreamy, moist texture.

My Go-To for Family Dinners

This recipe became my ride-or-die back when my kids had overlapping dance and soccer practices. I needed something filling, low-effort, and guaranteed to disappear from plates (picky eaters and all). Now, even my teen requests “that creamy chicken and rice thing” at least once a week.

If you love this kind of easy, dump-and-bake meal, you might also enjoy my One Pan Creamy Tuscan Chicken Bake or Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken—they’re the same cozy vibe with a little twist!

FAQs About Forgotten Chicken

Can I use cream of mushroom soup instead of celery or chicken?
Absolutely! Cream of mushroom adds a rich, earthy flavor. Feel free to mix and match based on what you have.

Can I use brown rice or regular rice?
Minute rice is essential here. Traditional rice doesn’t cook properly in this low-and-slow bake time and can leave you with hard, underdone grains.

How should I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven with a splash of water to keep things moist.

Can I freeze Forgotten Chicken?
Yes, but it’s best to freeze it after it’s cooked. Just let it cool, portion it out, and freeze. Reheat gently to keep that creamy texture intact.

This Forgotten Chicken recipe is like that reliable friend who always shows up—even when everything else is chaos. It’s comforting, low-stress, and practically cooks itself while you catch up on emails, laundry, or let’s be honest…an episode of your latest binge.

Try it this week, and don’t be surprised if it becomes your new family favorite.

Craving more easy dinners? Check out these delicious time-savers on AllRecipes0.com:

• Lazy Lasagna Casserole
• Dump-and-Bake Salsa Chicken
• Easy Chicken and Stuffing Bake

Because you deserve meals that work with your life—not against it.

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