Description
Forgotten Chicken is a comforting baked casserole featuring tender chicken breasts atop a bed of long-grain white rice, all smothered in a creamy blend of chicken and mushroom soups with chicken broth and onion soup mix for enhanced flavor. This one-dish meal is easy to prepare, requiring minimal hands-on time before slow baking to perfection in the oven, resulting in juicy chicken and fluffy, flavorful rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and 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 and Garnish
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Rice Base: Spread the uncooked long-grain white rice evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a solid base layer for the casserole.
- Mix Soups and Broth: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and chicken broth until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Half Soup Mixture: Pour half of the combined soup mixture evenly over the rice, ensuring all rice is moistened to help it cook evenly.
- Arrange Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts directly over the rice layer, spacing evenly. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper according to your taste.
- Top with Remaining Soup and Onion Mix: Pour the rest of the soup mixture over the chicken breasts, making sure they are fully covered for maximum moisture and flavor. Sprinkle the packet of onion soup mix evenly on top.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and the rice is tender.
- Brown the Top (Optional): For a slight browning on top, remove the foil during the last 15 minutes of baking and allow the surface to develop a golden color.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired, then serve hot for a hearty and comforting meal.
Notes
- Make sure to use uncooked rice, as it cooks thoroughly during baking absorbing the flavors.
- Covering tightly with foil traps steam which helps cook the rice and keep the chicken moist.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to your preference before baking.
- Fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh finish but can be omitted or substituted with other herbs like thyme or chives.
- For a lighter version, use low-fat cream soups and low-sodium broth.
