The Forgotten Chicken and Rice Recipe: A Cozy Family Favorite

Memories of my grandmother’s kitchen sparked this forgotten chicken and rice recipe that feels like a warm embrace.

Dusty recipe cards often hide culinary treasures waiting to be rediscovered.

Comfort food doesn’t always require complex techniques or expensive ingredients.

Simple dishes can transport you back to cherished moments around the dinner table.

Regional cooking traditions blend magic with everyday ingredients in unexpected ways.

Fragrant spices and tender meat promise a meal that reconnects you with home-cooked traditions.

Let’s uncover this delicious secret and bring a classic dish back to life.

Why Forgotten Chicken and Rice Is a Set-It-and-Forget-It Favorite

• One-Pan Dish: Eliminate multiple dishes and cleanup hassles by creating a complete meal in a single baking pan, making dinner preparation and post-meal cleanup a breeze.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Deliver a hearty, satisfying dish that appeals to all ages, combining tender chicken, creamy rice, and savory seasonings that bring everyone together around the table with smiles.
• Adaptable Flavor Booster: Customize the recipe by adding cheese, swapping soup varieties, or incorporating different seasonings to suit individual taste preferences and keep the meal exciting.

Ingredients for Forgotten Chicken and Rice

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that creates a juicy main course.
• Minute Rice: Quick-cooking rice for easy preparation.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: Creamy base that adds rich flavor.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: Additional creamy element for depth.
• Water: Helps create the perfect rice consistency.

• Lipton Onion Soup Mix: Savory seasoning that adds complex flavor.

• Butter: Greases the pan for easy release and rich taste.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Optional topping for extra cheesy goodness.

How to Make Easy Chicken and Rice Bake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Workspace

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Generously coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter, making sure every surface is covered to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.

Step 2: Create Creamy Rice Base

• Minute rice
• Cream of chicken soup
• Cream of mushroom soup
• Water

Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended.

For extra softness, add a splash more liquid.

Step 3: Layer the Dish

Transfer the rice and soup mixture into the prepared baking pan.

Carefully place chicken breasts on top of the mixture.

This technique allows chicken juices to infuse the rice while ensuring uniform cooking.

Step 4: Season with Savory Topping

Sprinkle Lipton onion soup mix evenly across the chicken.

This adds a rich, robust flavor and helps create a delectable golden crust on the meat.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Cover the baking pan completely with aluminum foil to lock in moisture.

Bake at 350°F for 1 to 1½ hours.

Confirm chicken is fully cooked by checking that internal temperature reaches 165°F and rice becomes tender.

Step 6: Optional Cheesy Finish

For a decadent twist, remove foil during the final 10 minutes of baking.

Generously scatter shredded cheddar cheese over the top.

Return to oven until cheese melts into a bubbly, golden layer.

Step 7: Let Dish Settle

After removing from oven, allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes.

This crucial step helps flavors meld and ensures rice absorbs any remaining liquid, creating a creamy, luxurious texture.

Tips for Moist and Flavorful Chicken and Rice

• Use Minute rice for faster preparation and consistent texture, preventing mushy or undercooked grains.
• Add an extra half-cup of water or broth if you prefer softer rice, adjusting liquid to achieve perfect consistency.
• Position chicken breasts on top of rice mixture to allow natural juices to infuse the rice with rich, savory taste during baking.
• Cover the baking pan tightly with foil to trap steam, ensuring the rice remains tender and the chicken stays juicy throughout cooking.
• Optional cheese topping adds extra richness; sprinkle shredded cheddar in the final 10 minutes of baking for a golden, melted finish.

Storage and Reheating for Forgotten Chicken

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed chicken and rice will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer portions to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Frozen forgotten chicken and rice maintains quality for up to 3 months when sealed tightly.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place leftovers in a baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Add a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture.
• Place individual servings in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals. Stir between intervals to distribute heat evenly and prevent cold spots.

Perfect Pairings for Chicken and Rice Bake

• Perfect Wine Pairing: Select a crisp Chardonnay with balanced acidity to complement the creamy rice and savory chicken, cutting through the richness while enhancing the dish's subtle flavors.
• Vegetable Side Harmony: Roast asparagus spears with garlic and lemon zest, creating a bright, fresh counterpoint to the hearty chicken and rice casserole that adds nutritional balance and textural contrast.
• Bread Accompaniment: Serve warm, crusty garlic bread with a sprinkle of parsley, allowing guests to soak up the delicious soupy sauce and providing a satisfying crunch alongside the tender chicken.
• Refreshing Beverage Option: Pour a light, citrusy iced tea with fresh mint leaves, offering a cool and zesty drink that cleanses the palate between bites and provides a refreshing complement to the rich main course.

Variations to Make Forgotten Chicken Unique

• Gluten-Free Chicken and Rice: Replace cream of chicken and mushroom soups with gluten-free versions. Use gluten-free Minute rice and verify the onion soup mix is gluten-free.
• Low-Sodium Adaptation: Substitute regular cream soups with low-sodium alternatives. Use no-salt-added chicken broth instead of water and select a reduced-sodium onion soup mix.
• Dairy-Free Version: Swap butter with olive oil or dairy-free margarine for greasing. Omit cheese topping or use dairy-free cheese alternatives. Ensure all packaged ingredients are dairy-free.
• Vegetable-Enhanced Option: Add frozen mixed vegetables like peas, carrots, and corn directly into the rice mixture before baking. This boosts nutrition and adds color to the classic recipe.

FAQs

• Can I use other types of rice instead of Minute rice?

Yes, you can substitute with long-grain white rice, but you might need to adjust the liquid ratio and cooking time. Regular rice may require slightly more water and a longer cooking period.

• Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! Forgotten Chicken and Rice reheats well and stays moist. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 3-4 days for best quality.

• Can I substitute cream soups if I don't have the exact ones?

Yes, you can swap cream of chicken or mushroom soup with cream of celery or use low-sodium versions. The key is maintaining a similar creamy consistency and liquid volume.

• How can I make this dish more nutritious?

Add frozen vegetables like peas, carrots, or broccoli directly into the rice mixture before baking. This increases nutritional value and adds color to the dish without changing the basic cooking method.

Forgotten Chicken And Rice Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Grandma’s secret “Forgotten Chicken and Rice” recipe whispers comfort through its simple, hearty layers of tender meat and fluffy grains. Slow-cooked perfection emerges without fuss, inviting you to savor a classic meal that feels like a warm family embrace.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Rice:

• 2 cups (480 milliliters) Minute rice (white or brown)

Seasoning and Liquid:

• 1 10.5 ounces (298 grams) can cream of chicken soup
• 1 10.5 ounces (298 grams) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 10.5 ounces (298 grams) can water
• 1 tablespoon butter (for greasing the pan)
• 1 envelope Lipton onion soup mix

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Instructions

1. Prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by generously coating the surface with butter to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
2. Preheat the oven to 350°F, creating an ideal environment for baking.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine Minute rice, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and water. Thoroughly blend the ingredients until well incorporated, adjusting liquid if desired for softer rice consistency.
4. Transfer the rice and soup mixture into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
5. Carefully arrange chicken breasts atop the rice mixture, allowing their natural juices to infuse flavor during cooking.
6. Liberally distribute Lipton onion soup mix over the chicken, creating a savory seasoning layer that will develop a delectable crust.
7. Securely cover the baking pan with aluminum foil, trapping moisture and ensuring tender results.
8. Slide the covered dish into the preheated oven and bake for 1 to 1½ hours, monitoring until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and rice becomes perfectly tender.
9. For an optional indulgent touch, remove the foil during the final 10 minutes of baking and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top, allowing it to melt into a golden, bubbling layer.
10. After removing from the oven, let the dish rest for 5 minutes, enabling flavors to meld and rice to absorb any remaining moisture for a creamy, luxurious texture.

Notes

• Customize rice texture by adjusting water content, adding extra liquid for softer grains or reducing for a firmer bite.
• Experiment with alternative soups like cream of celery or golden mushroom for unique flavor variations.
• Consider gluten-free options by using gluten-free cream soups and checking onion soup mix ingredients.
• Enhance protein diversity by substituting chicken with turkey breasts or boneless pork chops for different meal experiences.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg