On nights when life feels loud and messy, I love knowing I can lean on true Comfort Food Recipes like this forgotten chicken and rice bake. With pantry staples and hardly any prep, we get one cozy dish that tastes like it simmered all afternoon. It fits right in with my other chicken recipes with rice and those easy chicken and rice recipes we reach for again and again. This version is my take on the classic forgotten chicken recipe, the kind of chicken rice recipes easy enough for a rushed weeknight but still warm enough for Sunday dinner. We tuck tender chicken into a creamy bed of rice, let the oven do the work, and the house starts to smell like childhood comfort. I think of it as one of my favorite Comfort Chicken Recipes and one of the most faithful Food Recipes With Chicken on Elena Cooks, because it never lets us down and always brings people back to the table. I still laugh at how often I truly forget it in the oven for a few extra minutes, then pull it out to find the edges bubbling and the top just set, like it knew I needed that bit of grace. Serve it straight from the baking dish, scoop by scoop, and watch how fast everyone relaxes with that first bite.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Forgotten Chicken And Rice Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Forgotten Chicken And Rice
- 4) How to Make Forgotten Chicken And Rice
- 5) Tips for Making Forgotten Chicken And Rice
- 6) Making Forgotten Chicken And Rice Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Forgotten Chicken And Rice
- 8) Try these Main Course recipes next
- 9) Forgotten Chicken And Rice
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
I love recipes that feel calm and steady on a hectic day and this forgotten chicken and rice fits that mood so well. The dish leans hard into Comfort Food Recipes, with tender chicken tucked into creamy rice that quietly cooks in the oven while life goes on in the rest of the house. By the time we pull the pan from the oven, dinner smells warm and familiar and we barely did any work.
This recipe asks for simple pantry staples and one baking dish, nothing fancy and nothing that needs special tools. I wrote this version for Elena Cooks so it feels friendly for new cooks yet still gives that old school comfort that more experienced home cooks love. We pour everything into the dish, cover it, slide it into the oven, and let gentle heat take care of the rest.
The flavor leans savory with soft onions from the soup mix, rich creamy sauce around the rice, and juicy chicken on top that soaks in that flavor as it cooks. Leftovers taste just as good the next day, so this pan works for family dinners, easy meals for two, or lunches that just need a fast reheat. It is the kind of quiet keeper recipe that slowly becomes part of your personal list of trusted comfort meals.
2) Easy Forgotten Chicken And Rice Recipe
When I think about real life friendly Comfort Food Recipes, this forgotten chicken and rice always sits near the top of the list. We stir together rice, creamy soup, and a few helpers, then nestle chicken on top and simply cover the pan. Comfort Food Recipes that work this hard for us without a long prep make weeknights feel much lighter, and they also fit lazy Sunday meals when we just want a mellow dinner at home.
This dish came from my own need for something that could wait on me, not the other way around. I wanted a casserole that held well if my family came to the table late, still tasted cozy, and did not need much fuss. On Elena Cooks I talk a lot about realistic home cooking, and this forgotten chicken recipe is one I reach for on long days when my energy is low but I still want a warm plate in front of everyone.
The base turns into one of those chicken recipes with rice that somehow please both picky kids and tired adults. By the time you lift the foil, the rice has soaked up flavor from the soups, the chicken pan juices, and the onion mix, which makes every bite smooth and satisfying. You end up with a classic Food Recipes With Chicken feel, yet the steps stay easy enough that you can chat on the phone or help with homework while the oven quietly does its job.
3) Ingredients for Forgotten Chicken And Rice
Boneless skinless chicken breasts bring the protein and sit right on top of the rice so they soak in flavor and stay tender as the pan bakes.
Instant rice creates the soft, creamy base for this casserole and cooks at the same gentle pace as the chicken so everything reaches the table at once.
Cream of chicken soup adds rich flavor and gives the whole dish that classic home style sauce that makes so many Comfort Food Recipes so soothing.
Cream of mushroom soup brings earthiness and a deeper note, which rounds out the sauce and keeps each spoonful from tasting flat or one note.
Water thins the soup just enough so the rice has plenty of liquid to drink in while it cooks and turns plump and soft under the chicken.
Onion soup mix sprinkles deep savory flavor over the chicken and rice and creates those little golden bits on top that taste extra rich.
Butter or a light cooking spray helps grease the baking dish so the rice does not cling to the sides and serving becomes smooth and simple.
Shredded cheddar cheese gives a gentle lift of sharp flavor and a soft top when you want the casserole to feel even more cozy and rich.
Frozen mixed vegetables add color, texture, and a bit of freshness, turning this into one of those easy chicken and rice recipes that can stand alone as a full meal.
Simple spices like black pepper, garlic, or paprika let you tweak the final flavor so the dish matches your own taste and the mood at the table.
4) How to Make Forgotten Chicken And Rice
Step one, heat your oven and grease a large baking dish so the rice layer does not cling to the bottom once the casserole bakes and cools a little.
Step two, stir the instant rice with both soups and the measured water in a big bowl until everything looks smooth and each grain carries some sauce.
Step three, spread that rice mixture across the greased dish in an even layer so it can cook at the same rate and support the chicken pieces on top.
Step four, fold in frozen vegetables and a handful of shredded cheese if you like, which turns this into one of those chicken rice recipes easy enough for any cook.
Step five, place the chicken breasts over the rice, spacing them so each piece has room to cook through and soak in the steam from the pan.
Step six, sprinkle the onion soup mix evenly over the chicken and rice, pressing it gently so the seasoning holds its place as the dish starts to bake.
Step seven, cover the dish tightly with foil, slide it into the hot oven, and let gentle heat work for about one hour without lifting the cover.
Step eight, check a thick piece of chicken for doneness and taste a spoon of rice, then give the pan a short rest on the counter so the sauce thickens slightly before serving.
5) Tips for Making Forgotten Chicken And Rice
I learned a few small tricks while testing this recipe for Elena Cooks that keep the texture just right every time. Cut very thick chicken breasts into thinner pieces so they cook at the same gentle pace as the rice underneath. When the chicken cooks more evenly, the rice stays creamy instead of drying out around the edges of the pan.
Use instant rice rather than regular long grain rice, since the timing of the dish depends on that quick cooking grain. If you only have regular rice, par cook it a bit on the stove before you stir it with the soups. This simple step supports that cozy family comfort food recipes style texture where the rice turns soft but not mushy.
Season lightly before baking, then taste a spoon of rice at the end and add a pinch of salt or pepper if you want more pop. You can finish the dish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or green onion for color. Little touches like this make chicken rice dinners feel cared for without asking for much extra time, which keeps this among my favorite Comfort Chicken Recipes for busy weeks.
6) Making Forgotten Chicken And Rice Ahead of Time
This forgotten chicken and rice works well for make ahead cooking, which is one more reason it earns a spot in my personal list of comfort style recipes for family life. On a quiet evening, I mix the rice and soups, add vegetables, and lay the chicken on top, then cover the dish and slide it into the fridge. The next day, all I need to do is move the pan to the counter for a short rest and bake it.
If you plan to hold the unbaked pan in the fridge, let the dish sit at room temperature for a short time before it enters the oven. Cold glass or ceramic dishes do not enjoy sudden extreme heat, and a short rest keeps them safe. You may need a few extra minutes of baking since the ingredients start from a cooler point, so check doneness toward the end.
This make ahead method also works for small households who like leftovers without cooking every day. You can bake the dish earlier in the day, let it cool, and reheat portions later when dinner time feels close. Comfort Food Recipes that bend around your schedule rather than pulling you into last minute stress tend to stay close in regular meal rotation.
7) Storing Leftover Forgotten Chicken And Rice
When your table slows down and everyone leans back from the meal, you may still have a portion or two left in the baking dish. I like to scoop leftover forgotten chicken and rice into shallow containers so the food chills faster and stays safe. Once the containers cool, they move into the fridge and wait for easy meals over the next couple of days.
This dish reheats well in the microwave or in a covered dish in the oven with a small splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce. The rice relaxes again and the chicken warms through without drying out. The flavor settles even more on the second day, which makes this one of those easy chicken and rice recipes that work as planned leftovers.
If you want to freeze a portion, cool it fully, wrap it well, and label the container so you can spot it during a busy week. Thaw it in the fridge, then reheat until hot. On nights when energy runs low, opening the door and finding ready to heat Food Recipes With Chicken like this one feels like a small gift from your past self.
8) Try these Main Course recipes next
9) Forgotten Chicken And Rice
Comfort Food Recipes Forgotten Chicken And Rice Bake
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups instant rice white or brown
- 1 can 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
- 1 can 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can 10.5 oz water use the empty soup can for measurement
- 1 envelope onion soup mix
- 1 tablespoon butter for greasing the dish
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese optional
- 1 to 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables optional
- 1 cup diced cooked chicken optional
- Black pepper garlic powder or paprika to taste optional
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F 175°C and grease a 9 by 13 inch casserole dish with the butter so the rice does not stick.
- Stir the cream of chicken soup cream of mushroom soup water and instant rice in a large bowl until the rice looks coated and the mixture turns smooth.
- Spread the rice and soup mixture in the greased baking dish in an even layer.
- Fold in the frozen vegetables and a handful of shredded cheese if you want the extra color and richness.
- Lay the raw chicken breasts over the rice so they sit snug on top rather than sinking down into the mixture.
- Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix over the chicken in an even layer so every bite picks up that deep savory flavor.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and slide it into the oven then let it bake for about 60 minutes without lifting the foil.
- Peek under the foil at the one hour mark and check that the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender and creamy.
- If you like a deeper top, remove the foil and let the dish stay in the hot oven for a few extra minutes so the surface picks up light color.
- Let the casserole rest on the counter for 5 to 10 minutes so the sauce can settle, then scoop generous servings and enjoy.
10) Nutrition
I like to think about this dish as a balanced comfort meal that still feels friendly to real life eating. Each serving brings a mix of protein from the chicken, carbohydrate from the rice, and some fat from the creamy sauce and any cheese you choose to add. When you scoop a portion onto the plate with a side of steamed greens or a crisp salad, the meal feels both cozy and complete.
The numbers for a typical serving depend on the size of your scoop and any swaps you make, yet they often sit close to the nutrition guide in the original recipe that inspired this version. You can trim a little richness by using reduced fat soups or a lighter hand with the cheese. For more fuel, generous eaters can add a larger helping of rice or pair this main with crusty bread.
Comfort Food Recipes do not need to be perfect to support steady eating habits. What matters more is how the meal fits into your full day of food and movement. If a plate of forgotten chicken and rice helps you sit down, breathe out, and share a quiet moment at the table, that calm feeling carries its own weight in any daily wellness plan, and I think that counts for a lot.
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