Forgotten Chicken– a super easy, delicious dinner recipe! Chicken breasts, rice, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and Lipton onion soup mix. Creamy, savory, and absolutely delicious! This chicken dish is easy to prepare and perfect for those busy weeknights!
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Jump to:
- No-Peek Chicken and Rice
- Why is it called Forgotten Chicken?
- Ingredients needed for No-Peek Chicken and Rice
- How to make Forgotten Chicken
- Tips for the best Chicken and Rice Casserole
- How to store No-Peek Casserole
- What to serve with Forgotten Chicken
- More Chicken Casserole Recipes to try
- No-Peek Chicken and Rice Casserole
No-Peek Chicken and Rice
You may have seen this recipe go by the name of No-Peek Chicken Casserole, No-Peek Chicken and Rice, or Forgotten Chicken. No matter what you call it, the end result is incredible. Simply mix a few ingredients together, place in a pan, bake, and you’re set! This no-fuss chicken dinner recipe is perfect on those busy weeknights when you’re in a hurry.
The whole family loves my forgotten chicken. Even my picky eaters. It’s a one-pan recipe that is simple to make and even easier to clean up.
I use both cream of chicken soup and cream of mushroom soup in my casserole, however, you can double up on one kind, or even substitute cream of celery. I tried cream of potato years ago since I had it on hand and the flavor just wasn’t there. Stick with chicken, mushroom, or celery if possible.
Why is it called Forgotten Chicken?
Once you cover the pan with aluminum foil, there is no peeking! I mean, technically you could lift the corner and peek a bit, but its not necessary. It’s important that this meal bake in its own juices. The steam will cook the rice and chicken to perfection. It keeps the chicken juicy and tender. In fact, I like to call it “Forgotten Chicken” because once it goes into the oven, you can forget about it for a while.
Ingredients needed for No-Peek Chicken and Rice
Using a few simple ingredients, this casserole comes together in no time requiring no effort at all! Check out the printable recipe card below for full recipe amounts and directions.
- Chicken- chicken breasts, boneless/skinless
- Rice- Minute Rice, I use brown, but white works too
- Cream of Chicken- reduced sodium works
- Cream of Mushroom- reduced sodium works
- Water- fill up one of the soup cans with water
- Butter- unsalted is best as there can be a lot of sodium in this casserole already
- Lipton Onion Soup Mix- or feel free to use French Fried Onions
How to make Forgotten Chicken
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Using the 1 tbsp. butter, butter a 9 x 13 baking pan.
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In a medium bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, 1 can of water, and Minute rice.
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Pour mixture into buttered pan.
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Place chicken breasts on top of mixture.
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Sprinkle Lipton onion soup evenly on top of chicken breasts.
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Cover pan with foil and place in a preheated oven, 350 degrees.
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Cook for about 1- 1 ½ hours, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Tips for the best Chicken and Rice Casserole
- During the last 10 minutes of baking time, sprinkle on 1-2 cups of your favorite shredded cheese. This adds a cheesy goodness to every bite!
- Feel free to use chicken tenders in place of chicken breast, just reduce cook time by about 30 minutes.
- Want to make this easier to scoop? Dice the chicken and bake as follows. Then, every bite includes both chicken and rice. If going this route, decrease time by 30ish minutes.
- If using regular rice in lieu of Minute, you’ll want to increase water (by about 1 can) and increase cook time.
- You can use chicken thighs instead of breasts, if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
How to store No-Peek Casserole
Refrigerator- in an airtight container for up to 4 days. To reheat, use the microwave. Reheat in a micro-wave safe dish for 1-2 minutes on high. According to Amy from Foodlve.com if you sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons for broth it would keep the rice moist
Freezer- in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to your frozen no-peek chicken, just pull it out of the freezer and let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat it in the oven at 350 degrees until all is heated all the way through
What to serve with Forgotten Chicken
You’ve got a protein and starch already, so I like to add a side salad and/or bread item to complete this dinner. Grab an easy bagged salad to keep things easy. For a bread option, my family loves Buttery Bread Machine Rolls or Garlic Cheese Crescents.
More Chicken Casserole Recipes to try
ULTIMATE Chicken Casserole– Tender noodles, shredded chicken, bacon, corn, and more!
French Onion Chicken Casserole– Creamy, comforting, and packed with flavor
Chicken and Stuffing Casserole– perfect meal for busy work nights! Using only a few ingredients, this can be ready to go in no time! Comfort food at its finest!
Cheesy Chicken Noodle Casserole– shredded chicken, pasta, and veggies make this an all in one meal!
Chicken Broccoli Casserole– a one pan meal the entire family will love!
Chicken Cobbler– a viral recipe from TikTok that is pure comfort food!
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No-Peek Chicken and Rice Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups Minute Rice *I use brown
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can water *use one of the soup cans
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 envelope Lipton Onion Soup mix
Instructions
- Using the 1 tbsp. butter, butter a 9 x 13 baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, 1 can of water, and Minute rice.
- Pour mixture into buttered pan.
- Place chicken breasts on top of mixture.
- Sprinkle Lipton onion soup evenly on top of chicken breasts.
- Cover pan with foil and place in a preheated oven, 350.
- Cook for about 1- 1 ½ hours, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Recipe updated 12/6/22
Stephanie says
I made this recipe for the first time and it was a hit with the family! The French onion soup gives it really good flavor. Will definitely add this into the rotation!
Kristin says
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed!!
Michael Pallone says
OMG! This recipe has become one of our family’s all-time favorites! I have made this with bone-in , boneless, and rotisserie chicken. Sometimes I sauté celery to add-in. Tonight 3/4/25 I Made a half batch for my wife & I. Came out Amazing! I used 2+ cups of Costco Rotisserie chicken, 1 cup white rice, 1 cup chicken broth (better than bullion), ⅔ of a red pepper, ⅔ of a sweet onion, ⅔ cup of frozen corn, ⅔ cup of frozen peas&carrots, 1 package onion soup mix, 1 can campbell’s cream of chicken with herbs, plus crispy onions. I did not sauté the onion & bell pepper just diced them small and mixed them in. Cooked at 360° for 1 hour covered with foil and 20 minutes uncovered. Half batch perfect for 4-5 people.
Kristin says
Yay!! So glad you enjoy the recipe and love the variations you tried!
Patricia R. says
Got a recipe from a co-worker. No credit given. I scoured the internet and found your recipe which matches ingredients exactly. Made it last night. On my friend’s suggestion I added some green beans. So easy and delicious! My mom cut the chicken into bite size pieces for ease of eating. It reminded me of chicken pot pie. Next time I plan to add a bag of mixed veggies instead. I love simple tasty recipes.
Kristin says
Yay!! Love hearing this and so glad you enjoyed it! Great idea on adding in veggies next time! I added in some frozen peas and green beans last week and the family loved it!! Can’t beat a simple recipe!
Anne says
So delicious – and so easy!! Thank you!
Kristin says
Glad you enjoyed!! It’s a family fav in my house!!
Madge says
My husband dosen’t care for rice, do you think I could use egg noodles instead?
Maggie M says
This is an old recipe me and my hubby both grew up with. I think it was a Campbell’s recipe. The one we grew up with used 2 cans of ream of mushroom and a whole cut up chicken. Everyone had their modifications, though. Boneless chicken breast is an attempt to make it a little healthier I’m guessing. My personal update? Add some frozen veggies in with the rice (I prefer a veggie mix)
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Kristin says
Great idea on the veggies! Yes, this is definitely an older recipe! It is one that my Grandma used to make for her family!
Lindavis says
I’ve made this a few times. The first time I made it by exact recipe and it was great, but the breast meat was a.little dry. After the first time I’ve added a half pound of mushrooms, and I use bone-in thighs. i also use the Beefy Onion Soup mix. Perfect.
Emily says
My family go=to was 4-6 chicken breasts, browned, 1 C. raw rice, 1 can each of mushroom, chicken celery condensed soup. Mix soups and rice, spread in a 9x 13 pan, put the chicken on top, bake covered 1 hour. This version sounds very good. Ours was very good AND easy.
Kristin says
Hope you enjoy!!
Misty says
Would it work with Frozen Chicken Breasts?
Kristin says
Sure, but you would want to cook it longer to ensure the chicken breasts are fully cooked through!
sharyn says
I have been preparing this dish for 30 years or more. Its a great one pot meal. I didn’t have any idea that this was a forgotten chicken recipe. I am always the last to know
Kristin says
Haha, I am typically right there with you, but this dish has been passed down forever. My family calls it forgotten chicken, but I have also heard it called “no peek chicken”. Its a tasty one!
baltisraul says
Dee try this. Just don’t make the recipe. That ends your worry about to much salt.