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
Can I use real rice and if so should I add another cup of water
Kristin says
Yep! That would work great!
Evelyn Williams says
Never mind. Read the many comments. Thanks!
Evelyn Williams says
Do you cook the rice first?
Kathy says
I used to make this years ago only I used uncooked noodles, you get the same result…DELISH!
Kristin says
Ooooo that is even better!! Thanks for the tip!
brenda chafin says
I make this all the time, you can mix up the soups too, cream of celery with the mushroom is good and the cream of chicken too… I use two lipton dry soup mixes. One mixed into the rice and soup, the other sprinkled over the top of the chicken… can also use a can of chicken broth instead of water in the rice.
Kristin says
Oh yum!! Ill need to try that next time, thanks!!
Jane says
I was just wondering if anyone has tried this with cheese (mozzarella)?
Kristin says
One of my friends has tried it using mozzarella and really enjoyed it!
Julie says
I make this often with chicken or pork chops. I substitute chopped onion which has been shared in melted butter for the onion soup mix. It’s wonderful.
Kristin says
Yum!! I’ll have to try it your way next time, sounds great!
Jill says
My mother used to make this recipe. It was called “Company Chicken” and everyone loved it. She would use thighs which I prefer and breasts myself. Great recipe!
Kristin says
Oh I love that name! It definitely is a yummy recipe!
Pat Jansen says
I have a great recipe: brown chicken breasts until almost done in frying pan with buttered bottom, of course, Pour salsa over them and when everything is just about done, lay large slice of your favorite cheese on each breast. Put on cover and everything will melt over chicken breast. A whole meal in one pan. delicious……………………
Kristin says
That sounds amazing! I will need to try that soon, thanks for sharing!!
Pat Jansen says
I have always put the chicken on the bottom but on top works. it is good, yummy.
Mindy Baer says
Can you use boneless, skinless, chicken thighs?
Kristin says
Yep!! That works great as well!!
Lindavis says
I’ve used breasts (too dry) and boneless skinless thighs (too rubbery). Since then I’ve been using bone-in skin-on thighs, along with adding mushrooms and using Beefy Onion soup on top (perfect).
Rita says
How about Panko on top instead of onion soup mix?
Kristin says
That should work great, it will change the flavor, but should still be yummy!
Debbie says
I just cooked your recipe for the first time tonight. It was a great hit my daughter who is getting married in September immediately added it to her recipe book. I would love to be added to your mailing list. Thanks again for a delicious recipe.
Kristin says
Awww, I love hearing that! Congrats to your daughter on her wedding, how exciting! Glad you all enjoyed this recipe!