Sometimes, life can get ahead of you. You finish your work quickly, and before you know it, it’s time for dinner without any thought. That’s when “Chicken and Rice That You Forgot” comes in. It’s not just a meal; it’s a lifeline. You can still prepare something warm, tasty, and filling even if you forget to cook dinner. This dish is that easy and forgiving. This dinner is great for families that are busy, cooks who are exhausted, or anyone who wants homemade comfort food without spending a lot of time or money.
This recipe simply needs a few simple things that you can find in most kitchens or grocery stores. One pound (around 450 grams) of boneless, skinless chicken breasts is the primary part of this dish. These are the parts that make up the protein. Boneless chicken thighs are a great choice if you want a cut that is supple and tastes well. They stay a little juicier and are simpler to work with if you cook them for a little longer. That’s why they are perfect for casseroles like this one.
Then, get two cups of rice that cooks quickly. You can use either white or brown rice, depending on what you want. Instant rice is important since it cooks faster and more uniformly in the creamy mixture. You can use plain rice if that’s all you have, but be aware that it might take longer and soak up more liquid, so you might need to make some changes.
You’ll need one can (10.5 ounces) of cream of chicken soup and one can (10.5 ounces) of cream of mushroom soup to form the rich, creamy base that makes this dinner so comfortable. These two go well together and provide both taste and texture. The cream of mushroom adds an earthy depth to the meal, while the cream of chicken gives it the classic, savory flavor that makes chicken and rice recipes so nostalgic. Add 10.5 ounces of water to the empty soup can and stir it in. The water will help everything combine and cook the right way. The water makes the soup thin so that the rice can soak up the flavors while it cooks.
A package of dried onion soup mix is one of the secret ingredients that makes this recipe taste better. You only need one packet to make the chicken taste like you spent hours making a marinade. It makes a thick layer of flavor that seeps into the rice as it bakes, making everything taste better.
Don’t forget to grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with about a tablespoon of butter before you mix the ingredients together. This keeps items from sticking and gives the finished product a hint of butter flavor. It’s time to start adding layers of flavor when your meal is over.
Put the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, measured water, and instant rice in a big bowl and mix them together. Mix everything together until the rice is equally covered and the mixture is smooth. Evenly spread this mixture over the bottom of the oiled baking dish. When you bake it, this layer will turn into the soft, tasty rice base.
Then, put the chicken breasts right on top of the rice. Put them flat on the dish so they cook all the way through. You can add some salt and pepper to this if you want, but the onion soup mix will taste delicious on its own. Place the entire packet of onion soup mix on the chicken. This may seem like a lot, but don’t worry—the dish will taste better and have more depth while it cooks.
To keep the moisture in, tightly wrap the dish with aluminum foil. Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the chicken for 60 to 90 minutes, depending on how thick it is and how hot your oven is. The chicken should be thoroughly cooked, with no pink in the middle, and the rice should be soft and tender. If you’re not sure, cut into the thickest part of one of the chicken breasts to see if it’s done.
If you want to add something extra, take off the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top. Allow it to melt and become golden and bubbly. This gives the meal a cheesy, gooey coating that makes it taste even better.
Take the food out of the oven and let it cool for five minutes before you serve it. This time to rest lets the flavors settle and makes it easier to serve because the rice gets a little firmer and the steam keeps cooking everything slowly.
This recipe is great on its own, but it also goes well with some easy sides. A crisp, crunchy green salad with a tangy vinaigrette makes things more interesting and fresh. You may make your meals healthier by steaming broccoli or green beans. If you want to treat yourself, serve it with warm, crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce that forms in the bottom of the pan.
“Forgotten Chicken and Rice” is the best portion since you can change it up. Add frozen vegetables like peas, carrots, or corn right to the rice mix if you want to make it your own. Do you have any cooked chicken in the fridge? Chop it up and mix it with the rice before you bake it. Want to give yourself a bit more? Put in more cheese or cream. You can change this recipe to fit your tastes.
There aren’t many things that feel better than taking a bubbling, creamy, flavorful supper out of the oven after a long day when you didn’t have to worry about it. It’s easy to cook and hard to forget about Forgotten Chicken and Rice.
