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!
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. Want a pork chop version? Try my Pork Chops and Rice Casserole!
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
- 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 degrees.
- 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.
- Love French Onion?? Try my French Onion Rice too!!
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. If you sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons chicken broth with it, it keeps 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
Ritzy Chicken Casserole– shredded chicken baked under a buttery Ritz cracker topping!
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
Becky says
Dont want to sound silly but, do you cook the minute rice first then mix it all?
Kristin says
Nope, no need to cook before you mix it all together, 🙂
Hope you enjoy this!!
Theresa says
Sounds delish and the best kind of meal, one pan and no fuss! My daughter doesn’t like onions. Any suggestions to replace the onion soup?
Kristin says
You could just use some spices in place of the soup to replace the flavor. How about 2-3 beef bouillon cubes, some garlic, salt/pepper, etc 🙂
Dee says
too much salt
Kristin says
You can use low sodium soups to bring down the salt count 🙂
Sharonne says
Sounds really good. Except for the onion soup. Any suggestions on a substitute for that part? I am gonna try his dish this weekend. Thank you for sharing.
Kristin says
Hmmm, how about a few beef bouillon cubes for additional flavor on top?? With some added spices like garlic powder, onion flakes, etc.??
David Richvalsky says
Sounds great keep them coming!
Kristin says
Will do!!! :)Hope you enjoy this one, its a favorite of ours!
Chuck Schobert says
Was the brown rice a minute rice or just regular rice?
Kristin says
Minute rice. If using regular rice, simply pre cook it a bit prior to using
Rita B says
If using regular rice, I’d suggest adding a can of milk or another can of water. My granny’s recipe called for 2 cans of milk with regular rice, with all other ingredients remaining the same…
Kristin says
Great idea!! I will have to try that!!
MaryAnn Torma says
I just love love this site!!
Kristin says
And we love having you here, 🙂
MaryAnn Torma says
I love this site!!
Kristin says
Awwww, so glad you enjoy it!! Welcome to the page!!!
Megan says
If not using minute rice, I prefer to use real rice, could I cook normal white rice ahead of time and use that instead? And how much would increase the liquids and/or soups if I wanted to add fresh raw broccoli in with the rice so it wouldn’t be dry? Thanks!
Kristin says
Yes, you can cook the real rice until just about done prior to using in the recipe. As for liquid, I would keep the liquid the same since it wouldn’t be as absorbed, since your rice is already cooked. Just keep an eye on it and if needed, you can add a bit more water as it cooks. Let us know how it turns out!!
Janet says
I’ve also done this with pork chops!
Kristin says
Oooooh, I will have to try that! I have some pork chops in my freezer just waiting to be used up 🙂
sue alvizo says
I make this but wrap the chicken with a strip of bacon and then pour everything on top! My family loves it!
Kristin says
Oooooooo now THAT is something I must try!!! Sounds delicious!!
Leslie says
Looks so good
Kristin says
It definitely is 🙂
Ali says
Yummm! I wonder if this could be converted into crockpot version recipe?.
Kristin says
I believe you can. Cook on low and adjust the water slightly. Less liquids. Then keep an eye on it and adjust as needed. I have never tried it that way before, but don’t see why it wouldn’t work 🙂
Keep me posted if you try it and what worked 🙂
Anonymous says
Sounds delicious !! Always looking for new & different chicken recipes.
Kristin says
Definitely!! Let me know if you try it and what you think 🙂