Forgotten Chicken: The “Mix It, Cover It, Forget It” Chicken and Rice Dinner

1) Preheat and prep

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2) Mix the rice base

1. In the baking dish, whisk together cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, chicken broth, and water.
2. Stir in uncooked rice until evenly distributed.

3) Season and add chicken

1. Season chicken on both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and parsley.
2. Place chicken on top of the rice mixture in a single layer.
3. Dot butter pieces over the top (optional).

4) Cover and bake (the “forgotten” part)

1. Cover tightly with foil (tight seal = rice cooks properly).
2. Bake 60–75 minutes, until rice is tender and chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
3. Let rest 10 minutes (still covered) to finish steaming the rice.

5) Optional finishing touches

1. If you want a browned top, remove foil and bake 5–10 minutes more.
2. Add cheese in the last 5 minutes if using.

Serving and Storage:

Serve Forgotten Chicken hot, spooning the creamy rice alongside the chicken. It pairs well with a crisp salad, roasted green
beans, broccoli, or simple steamed vegetables.

• Refrigerate: store leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days.
• Reheat: microwave or warm in oven at 325°F (165°C). Add a splash of broth if it thickened.
• Freeze: freeze portions up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently.

Tips:

• Use the right rice: long-grain white rice works best. Instant rice cooks too fast; brown rice needs more time/liquid.
• Seal the foil tightly: steam is what cooks the rice evenly.
• Chicken thighs stay extra juicy: swap breasts for thighs if you prefer richer flavor.
• Don’t peek early: lifting foil releases steam and can leave rice undercooked.
• Check doneness: if rice needs more time, re-cover and bake 10 more minutes.

Variations:

• Cheesy Forgotten Chicken: top with cheddar or mozzarella for the last 10 minutes.
• Southwest: add taco seasoning, corn, black beans, and pepper jack.
• Herby: add thyme and rosemary; stir in fresh parsley at the end.
• Mushroom lovers: add extra mushrooms and a splash of Worcestershire sauce.
• Healthier: use reduced-sodium soups and broth; add veggies like broccoli florets near the end.

Conclusion:

Forgotten Chicken is the definition of low-effort comfort food: creamy rice, tender chicken, and classic savory flavor—all
from a dish you can assemble in minutes. Cover it, bake it, and let the oven do the work. When you need a dependable dinner
that feels like home, this is the recipe to keep on repeat.

FAQ:

Can I use brown rice?

You can, but you’ll need more liquid and longer baking time (often 90–110 minutes). Keep it tightly covered.

Why is my rice still crunchy?

Usually the foil wasn’t sealed tightly, or the dish needed more time. Add a splash of broth, re-cover, and bake 10–15 minutes.

Can I add vegetables?

Yes. Add mushrooms/onion at the start. Add peas or mixed vegetables in the last 10–15 minutes so they don’t overcook.

Can I make it ahead?

You can assemble it a few hours ahead and refrigerate. Bring closer to room temperature before baking, and add a few extra minutes.

Is it safe to “forget” it in the oven?

The name is a joke—you still want to set a timer. But it is very hands-off once it’s covered and baking.