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
Nancy says
Please add me to your mailing list!
Kristin says
Will do right now 🙂
Welcome to the page!!
carol says
wont the rice get soggy cooking that long if your using minute rice
Kristin says
Nope, it turns out perfectly!
carol says
could u add me
Kristin says
Will do right now! Welcome to the page!!
carol says
could u use the veg mix instead of the onion flaver
Kristin says
Sure, I don’t see why not 🙂
Joyce says
Is there an alternative to rice? My family is not crazy about rice.
Kristin says
I have never tried anything other than rice, but someone did tell me that they used semi cooked egg noodles and decreased the liquid, and it was a hit!!
Mary grange says
Add me too please!
Kristin says
Just added you too!! Welcome to the page!
Samantha Craig says
Is there any way you could make this with egg noodles instead?
Kristin says
I am sure that would work great, you would just need to decrease the liquid due to not having the rice to absorb it 🙂
Leona says
This looks like a definate “keeper” recipe! Please add me to your mailing list too….love your site! 😀
Kristin says
I am adding you to the mailing list right now! Welcome to the page 🙂
Natalie says
We make this but instead of the water we use sour cream. It is amazing
It works with any meat including meatballs.
Jane Fisher says
I will be trying this recipe this week. Some many great suggestions to add.
Kristin says
Yum! Keep us posted on how it turns out! Be sure to read through the comments to see all the variations people have tried, they sound just as yummy!! 🙂
KAYE BRANSON says
SOUNDS AWESOME…WILL BE MAKING THIS SOON!!!
Kristin says
Keep us posted how it turns out!!
Sue says
add to your mailing list
Kristin says
Will do right now! Welcome to the page! 🙂
tonya says
We call this set it and forget it at my house.
2 cans cream of mushrom or chicken
1Lbs chicken ( no bones)
1 pkg lipton soup mix ( onion flavor)
Crockpot on low for 8 hours.
Serve over rice or egg noodles.
Kristin says
Oooooo, I love love love the idea of this being a slow cooker meal! I may just have to try that this week and re post with the updated version! Be on the lookout!!
Roxanne says
I have been making this for almost 30 years. I add a can of mushroom slices (drained) a cup of frozen niblets corn. One of my families favourites.
Kristin says
Great idea on the mushrooms and corn!!!
Chris Franklin says
Looks delicious and this will be one that I will definitely try!! Please add me to your site!
Kristin says
For sure! Just added you to our mailing list!! Thanks!