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
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
Joan Schaller Bauer says
I have been making something almost like this for over 40 years now! My MIL, Lily gave it to me in 1972! We cook the rice separately. Don’t add water, but, do add a pint of sour cream! Always use boneless chicken, always add garlic granules and the dehydrated onion soup mix topper! Many variations of adding brocolli floretes, minced spinach, etc. It is a HUGE crowd pleaser and always very well received! My go-to dish to give to families in need of a good meal!
Kristin says
How neat! I knew it was passed down in my family too, but always fun to hear dates of recipes! I love all the variations of this dish, especially adding veggies to make it a full meal!
Wiki says
I wanted to share with the Cooking Chicks Team just how much my family and I enjoyed this recipe for tonight’s dinner..
I didn’t have any ‘minute rice’ therefore I used pasta instead, Pasta was cooked in chicken stock until barely al dente and I also layered the chicken with bacon.. I now have a now family favourite to add to our repertoire of recipes.
Please know, your recipe is now being enjoyed here in New Zealand.
With thanks….and best wishes..
Kristin says
Awww, I love hearing this and New Zealand, how fun!! So glad you enjoyed this and hope you have a great rest of the week!
Kimberly Gonzales says
I make this recipe all the time. It is a family favorite.
To give it more flavor I use MAHATMA YELLOW SAFFRON RICE! Keep everything else the same. The chicken just falls apart! My family hates onions but they don’t mind the onion soup mix in this recipe since it is just adding flavor and not adding texture.
I love that this recipe is a sit it and forget it meal. Perfect for a weeknight with my 4 kids as long as I time it right.
Has anyone tried this in an InstaPot?
Kristin says
Great idea on the rice! As for an Instant Pot method, I haven’t heard of one, but I sure wish there was one I did know. I love anything Instant Pot related, hehe!
Greg says
I’m going to make this tonight. But I marinated the chicken breast for a hour. And I also used wild rice & instead of water. I used well of course chicken broth. Who uses water to make rice these days. Thanks for the recipe.
Kristin says
Great variety on the recipe! Hope you enjoyed it!
Ann Berumen says
Darn spelling, posted before I corrected. Should be delicious!
Kristin says
Hope you enjoy this! Its a family favorite!!
Ann Berumen says
Looks delicous, will try it this afternoon.
Cassandra Kauffman says
I used 2 cream of Chicken and frozen peas I split the onion soup up. 1/2 with rice mixture then 1/2 on top of my chicken and almost cooked bacon. baked covered 1 hr. took out uncovered and sprinkled crispy fried onion on top bake 10 more mins! the house smells just great. no leftovers!!
Kristin says
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed this recipe! Love the variations too!
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.
Marie says
For the people that states no flavour try sprinkling some original Mrs. Dash. Takes the place of salt also.
Kristin says
Great idea! Thanks!!
Jennifer says
Hello! Do you have to use minute rice, or is regular okay? Thanks!
Kristin says
Regular works as well, just add a bit more water (about 1/4 cup) and keep an eye on the tenderness of the rice as it can take a bit longer to cook! Enjoy!!
Nedra says
We just used potato’s instead of rice. It was delicious as well. Same cooking time.
Kristin says
Great idea! I will have to try that sometime! Thanks for the tip! I am so glad you enjoyed it!!
Mindy says
Can chicken drumsticks be used?
Kristin says
Yes!! Those work just as good as the breasts in this recipe! Enjoy!!
Lori says
Is the chicken used boneless chicken tenders?
Kristin says
In the picture, yes, but I have used boneless breasts and tenders before and both work great!!
Cynthia Doll says
Lipton soup mix makes it much too salty. I will make this again ang omit the Lipton soup mix.
Kristin says
I believe there is a “low sodium” version of that soup, but not positive. Maybe check your store?? Hope that helps!!
Anonymous says
To us it’s known as “No Peek Chicken”.
Kristin says
My grandma calls it that, hehe!!
Melissa says
Made this a while back.. It smelled delicious, couldn’t wait to eat it but then it was .. way too salty ..
Kristin says
Oh bummer! I believe there is a Lipton Onion Soup packet that says “lower sodium” on it. I haven’t used it before, but I know I have seen it! Maybe try that??
Patsy says
Do you need to take foil off to brown tops of chicken like in picture?
Kristin says
Nope, the brown comes from the onions cooking/glazing over in the oven! All will cook just like that with foil on!! Enjoy!