Forgotten Chicken and Rice Recipe

Forgotten Chicken and Rice Recipe That Brings Back Good Meals

Tucking into a hearty casserole of forgotten chicken and rice promises comfort beyond imagination.

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

Grandmothers’ kitchens whisper secrets of simple, nourishing meals that warm hearts.

This classic dish connects generations through humble ingredients and shared memories.

Salt, pepper, and love blend seamlessly in each spoonful of goodness.

Nostalgia mingles with hunger, creating an irresistible invitation to cook.

We bet you’ll want to unearth this delightful recipe right now.

Forgotten Chicken And Rice Effortless With Creamy Results

Forgotten Chicken And Rice Effortless With Creamy Results
  • Effortless One-Pan Meal: Simplify your cooking with this no-fuss chicken and rice recipe that requires minimal prep and cleanup, making weeknight dinners a breeze.
  • Hands-Off Cooking Technique: Bake the entire dish in one pan, letting the oven do the work while you relax or tackle other tasks during the cooking process.
  • Family-Friendly Comfort Food: Create a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal that appeals to both kids and adults with its creamy texture and satisfying flavors.
  • Versatile Weeknight Dinner Solution: Quickly prepare a filling meal using pantry staples and basic ingredients, perfect for busy families seeking convenient and delicious dining options.

Classic Combo in Forgotten Chicken and Rice

Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender meat that forms the main protein of the dish, best when fresh and boneless.
Soup Base and Binding:
  • Cream of Chicken Soup, Cream of Mushroom Soup: Provides rich, creamy texture and adds depth of flavor to the rice mixture.
Grain:
  • White Rice: Absorbs flavors and creates a hearty base for the chicken, standard long-grain works best.
Seasoning:
  • Onion Soup Mix: Adds savory, concentrated onion flavor and helps season the entire dish.
Liquid:
  • Water: Helps cook the rice and creates moisture in the casserole.
Optional Topping:
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Provides a melty, sharp flavor enhancement for the final dish.
Preparation Extras:
  • Butter: Used to grease the baking pan and prevent sticking.
  • Aluminum Foil: Covers the dish during baking to trap moisture and ensure even cooking.

Forgotten Chicken And Rice: Here’s The Method

Forgotten Chicken And Rice: Here’s The Method

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven dial to a cozy 350°F (175°C) and let it start heating up while you prepare the rest of the dish.

Step 2: Create a Slippery Surface

Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and give it a generous butter massage to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 3: Whip Up the Magical Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine these delightful ingredients:
  • Cream of chicken soup
  • Cream of mushroom soup
  • Water
  • Uncooked rice

Stir everything together until it looks like a creamy, dreamy blend.

Step 4: Build Your Flavor Foundation

Pour the soupy rice mixture into the buttered baking pan, creating a smooth and inviting base for your chicken.

Step 5: Nestle the Chicken

Gently place chicken breasts right on top of the rice mixture, letting them snuggle into the creamy landscape.

Step 6: Shower with Flavor

Sprinkle the onion soup mix all over the chicken, ensuring every inch gets a kiss of seasoning.

Step 7: Wrap and Bake

Cover the entire pan tightly with aluminum foil, transforming it into a flavor-trapping treasure chest.

Slide it into the preheated oven and let it work its magic for 1 to 1½ hours.

Step 8: Optional Cheesy Finale

In the last 10 minutes of baking, remove the foil and shower the dish with shredded cheddar cheese for an extra luxurious touch.

Step 9: Rest and Serve

Pull the pan out of the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.

This allows the flavors to settle and makes serving a breeze.

Dive in directly from the baking pan and enjoy your comforting creation!

Chicken And Rice Tips That Stay Unforgettable

Chicken And Rice Tips That Stay Unforgettable
  • Assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, which helps flavors meld and saves time on busy cooking days.
  • Select boneless, skinless chicken breasts of similar size to ensure even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked portions.
  • Use long-grain white rice for best results, as it absorbs liquid perfectly and creates a creamy, tender texture without becoming mushy.
  • Swap cream soups with homemade versions or low-sodium alternatives to control salt content and enhance overall taste profile.
  • Substitute cream soups with gluten-free versions and use cauliflower rice for a low-carb option that maintains the dish’s comforting essence.

Chicken and Rice Stores Warm for a Quick Meal

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the chicken and rice together to maintain moisture.
  • Refrigerated leftovers stay fresh for 3-4 days when sealed properly in the container.
  • Warm the dish at 350°F, covered with foil, for 15-20 minutes until heated through, preventing dryness by adding a splash of chicken broth.
  • Quickly reheat individual portions in the microwave, stirring halfway through and covering with a damp paper towel to retain tenderness.

What Complements Chicken And Rice

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the creamy, rich flavors of the chicken and rice, cutting through the dish’s density with its refreshing acidity.
  • Create Veggie Sidekick: Roast asparagus or green beans with garlic and lemon to add brightness and contrast to the comforting, hearty main dish, balancing the meal’s creamy texture.
  • Match with Fresh Salad: Prepare a light mixed green salad with tangy vinaigrette to introduce a zesty, fresh element that enhances the overall dining experience and provides a palate-cleansing counterpoint.
  • Serve with Crusty Bread: Add warm, crusty French or sourdough bread to soak up the delicious soup mixture, allowing diners to capture every last bit of the flavorful sauce.

Oven-Baked Chicken Meal Styles

  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace cream of chicken and mushroom soups with homemade gluten-free alternatives using cornstarch and broth. Use gluten-free onion soup mix to maintain flavor profile.
  • Vegetarian Version: Swap chicken with firm tofu or plant-based chicken substitutes. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken-based ingredients to create a hearty meat-free casserole.
  • Low-Sodium Option: Select reduced-sodium soups and omit packaged onion soup mix. Add fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and parsley to enhance flavor without extra salt.
  • Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute butter with olive oil for greasing. Use dairy-free cheese or skip cheese topping entirely. Select coconut milk or almond milk as liquid replacement if needed.

FAQs

  • Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Brown rice requires more liquid and a longer cooking time. Add an extra 1/2 cup of water and increase baking time by 30-45 minutes to ensure the rice becomes tender.

  • Is it possible to make this recipe with chicken thighs?

Yes, chicken thighs work perfectly. They have more fat content, which helps keep the meat moist during baking. Adjust cooking time to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F.

  • What can I substitute for cream of chicken soup?

Cream of celery or cream of mushroom soup are excellent alternatives. You can also use homemade white sauce or condensed vegetable soup for similar creamy texture and flavor.

  • How do I prevent the chicken from drying out?

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture. Using bone-in chicken or chicken with skin can also help retain more natural juices during baking.

Print
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Forgotten Chicken and Rice Recipe

Forgotten Chicken and Rice Recipe


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4.6 from 26 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Comfort meets nostalgia in this forgotten chicken and rice dish, where tender poultry nestles alongside perfectly seasoned grains. Rich family recipes tell stories of warmth and connection, inviting you to savor each memorable bite of this classic home-cooked meal.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 cups instant rice (white or brown)

Soup Ingredients:

  • 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of chicken soup
  • 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) water

Additional Ingredients:

  • 1 envelope onion soup mix
  • 1 tablespoon butter, for greasing

Optional Additions:

  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Frozen vegetables
  • Diced chicken

Instructions

  1. Craft a comfortable workspace by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring an ideal cooking environment for this comforting casserole.
  2. Prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by generously coating the surface with butter, creating a non-stick foundation for the dish.
  3. Create a smooth, creamy base by whisking together cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, water, and uncooked rice in a mixing bowl until the mixture achieves a uniform consistency.
  4. Transfer the silky soup and rice blend into the buttered baking pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom of the dish.
  5. Carefully arrange chicken breasts atop the rice mixture, ensuring they are nestled comfortably within the creamy landscape.
  6. Liberally dust the entire surface with onion soup mix, allowing the powdery seasoning to cascade over both chicken and rice, promising a flavor-packed experience.
  7. Shield the entire casserole with aluminum foil, creating a protective cover that will trap moisture and promote even cooking.
  8. Slide the covered pan into the preheated oven and allow it to transform for 1 to 1½ hours, monitoring until the chicken reaches perfect doneness and rice achieves a tender texture.
  9. For an optional flavor enhancement, remove the foil during the final 10 minutes of baking and sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese across the top.
  10. After removing from the oven, let the casserole rest for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and settle before serving directly from the baking pan.

Notes

  • Swap cream soups for homemade versions to reduce sodium and control ingredients for healthier eating.
  • Substitute white rice with brown rice or quinoa to boost nutritional value and add more fiber.
  • Use bone-in chicken thighs for richer flavor and juicier meat that stays moist during long cooking time.
  • Keep extra liquid handy in case rice needs more moisture during baking, preventing dry or undercooked grains.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 850 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 56 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg

Daniel Bruns

Daniel Bruns

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Recipe development for home cooks, Nutritional analysis and meal planning, Culinary education and food writing

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations
Focus: Classical and contemporary cooking techniques, Culinary entrepreneurship and kitchen management, Menu development and food cost analysis


Daniel’s story started with flour on his face and a pie in the oven at his grandma’s house. He later sharpened his skills at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
His goal? Recipes so simple you’ll want to cook every night. When he’s not whipping up one-pan wonders, Daniel’s outside picking herbs, hosting neighborhood cook-offs, or baking chocolate cakes with his kids, messy, sweet, and unforgettable.

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