Description
Forgotten Chicken is a comforting one-dish meal featuring tender chicken breasts baked atop a bed of uncooked rice, all smothered in a creamy blend of soups and broth. Easy to prepare and perfect for a family dinner, this recipe requires minimal hands-on time and yields flavorful, moist chicken paired with perfectly cooked rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Rice
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
Soup Mixture
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 packet onion soup mix
Seasoning & Garnish
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Layer the Rice: Spread the uncooked long-grain white rice evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create a uniform base.
- Mix the Soups and Broth: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and chicken broth until you have a smooth and homogeneous mixture.
- First Layer of Soup Mixture: Pour half of the soup mixture evenly over the rice, ensuring all grains get some moisture to cook properly.
- Add Chicken and Season: Lay the four chicken breasts on top of the rice layer, then season them generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Top with Remaining Soup and Onion Mix: Pour the remaining soup mixture over the chicken breasts, covering them completely. Sprinkle the onion soup mix evenly on top to add a depth of flavor.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil to trap moisture. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook fully and the rice to absorb the liquids.
- Optional Browning: For a slightly browned and crispier top, remove the foil during the last 15 minutes of baking and continue cooking uncovered.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the dish for a pop of color and a hint of freshness before serving.
Notes
- Using uncooked rice allows it to absorb all the flavorful liquids during baking, making the dish easy and hands-off.
- If you prefer, substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts to add extra juiciness and flavor.
- Feel free to adjust seasoning quantities to taste; adding garlic powder or paprika can add more depth.
- Covering the dish tightly ensures the chicken remains moist and the rice cooks evenly.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated; just add extra baking time if cooking from cold.
