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.
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
Susie says
I just made this and it was absolutely delicious!
Kristin says
So glad you enjoyed it!!!
Sherri says
OMGoodness! This is AMAZING! I decided to follow the recipe with one exception…thighs instead of breasts. Definitely will be making this again.
Kristin says
Yea!!! I love hearing when people love the recipes!! So glad it was a hit! I love using the thighs instead of chicken breasts! I will have to remember that!!
Theresa says
Yea I added the Lupton soup mix on top. I think maybe it’d be better If I used already chicken flavored rice… it was the rice that was kind of bland
Kristin says
Oh that’s a great idea. I bet the chicken flavored rice would be great in this! So sorry it wasn’t a hit!!
Theresa says
I just made this… I put it together just how the recipe said, plus added some garlic and salt and pepper (decent amount)… I was pretty disappointed with it 🙁 it didn’t have alot of flavor
Kristin says
Oh no 🙁
You used the Lipton onion soup mix? Typically that is what gives it the most flavor. So sorry you didn’t enjoy this!!
Sherri says
Could I use wild rice (like Uncle Bens) instead? How would I adjust? I think they have a quick cook version.
Kristin says
Sure, just cut down on the cooking time since the rice would cook quicker, and cut liquids by about half. You can just keep an eye on it to determine if it needs more liquid or longer cooking time! Enjoy!!
Betty Dunn says
I have cooked the rice separately and wrap the chicken with raw bacon. I use the wonderful jiuce from the chicken as the gravy for the rice. It is great!
Kristin says
Sounds amazing! I will have to try that too!!
Judy Habaj says
love your site
Kristin says
Awwwww, we love hearing that! Thanks so much!!
Lynn Leeper says
Thank you.
Anonymous says
II must say, the sodium WWILL KILL YOU!!!!!!!!!!
Kristin says
You can use low sodium products in here and omit the seasonings to add your own if you want to lower the sodium 🙂
Pam says
I seen recipes similar to this that call for cooking the chicken for an hour to an hour and a half. I’ve always wanted to try them but I’m afraid of the chicken drying out by cooking it so long.
Kristin says
I was the same way when I was cooking this for the first time, but let me assure you, the cooking time won’t dry it out. I think because of the liquid and rice, the chicken stays moist. Definitely try it, it is a simple yet delicious recipe!! 🙂
Amy Wright says
Add to mail list please.
Kristin says
Just added you!! Welcome to the page!! 🙂
Anita Britton says
This recipe sounds so delicious! I would love to be on your mailing list! Thanks.
Kristin says
It definitely is! Ill add you to our mailing list right now!! Welcome to the page!!
kasie says
Silly question but if you add bacon, do you cook it first or just place in raw?
Kristin says
I haven’t tried it, but according to the comment from the person that did try it, they lined the pan with foil, then laid down raw bacon. Make the recipe according to directions, but layer it on top of the raw bacon. Let me know how it turns out if you try it!!
Sandra Searle says
I made this once but included frozen mixed vegetables mixed in with the rice. and used chicken stock instead of the water, it was a big hit with the family I made it for
Kristin says
I love that idea of adding the veggies and chicken stock!! I will have to try that!! Yum!!
Jeanne Daveggio says
I am going to try this. I need different recipes for chicken and pork chops.
Kristin says
Let us know how it turns out and what you think!!! 🙂