Forgotten Chicken Recipe
Hey y’all! So last Tuesday I was running super late from work and had absolutely NO idea what to make for dinner. My kids were already texting me the usual “what’s for dinner?” messages and I was drawing a complete blank. That’s when I remembered my grandma’s forgotten chicken recipe that saved my butt so many times before!
Trust me when I say this forgotten chicken recipe is a total game-changer for busy nights. You literally just toss everything together, pop it in the oven, and then—here’s where it gets its name—you completely forget about it for a couple hours while you help with homework, throw in a load of laundry, or just collapse on the couch for a well-deserved break.
Recipe At-a-Glance
- Prep: 10 mins (or 15 if you’re distracted like me)
- Cook: 2 hrs
- Total: About 2 hrs 15 mins
- Servings: Makes enough for 6 hungry people
- Calories: Around 390 per serving
- Difficulty: Super easy (like, can’t-mess-this-up easy)
Why This Forgotten Chicken Recipe Is My Go-To
Honestly the biggest reason I make this chicken and rice with onion soup mix so often? It’s practically foolproof. And coming from someone who once set spaghetti on fire (don’t ask), that’s saying something!
I’ve been making this forgotten chicken casserole for years now, and it’s become one of those recipes my family actually cheers for when they smell it cooking. The combo of the rice soaking up all that chicken flavor while the meat gets fall-off-the-bone tender is just chef’s kiss.
One time I was so exhausted I accidentally used TWO packets of Lipton onion soup mix instead of one. My husband actually loved it and now that’s just how we make our forgotten chicken and rice recipe. Sometimes mistakes turn out pretty awesome!
This dish has saved me during those crazy sports seasons when everyone’s going in different directions. I can throw it together between work calls, forget about it, and dinner’s magically ready when we all finally make it home. Plus, the leftovers are actually even better the next day for lunch—the flavors get all happy together overnight in the fridge.
What You’ll Need For This Amazing Forgotten Chicken Recipe
Grab these ingredients next time you’re at the store:
- 4-6 chicken pieces (I usually go for thighs cuz they’re juicier, but whatever’s on sale works)
- 1 cup uncooked long grain rice (not the instant stuff!)
- 1 packet of Lipton onion soup mix (the secret ingredient!)
- 2 cups chicken broth (the box kind is fine)
- 1/2 stick butter, melted (about 1/4 cup)
- 1 small onion, diced (yellow or white, doesn’t matter)
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional if your kids pick them out like mine do)
- 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots (or whatever veggies you need to use up)
- Salt & pepper
- Dried thyme or parsley if you’re feeling fancy
I usually grab the family pack of chicken when it’s on sale at Kroger and freeze portion sizes that work for this recipe. The rice I just buy whatever’s cheapest honestly. And sometimes I forget the veggies altogether and just steam some broccoli on the side. This recipe is super flexible!
How to Make This Chicken Rice Onion Soup Mix Dinner
Alright, here’s how this magic happens:
Step 1: Get Your Act Together
Preheat your oven to 350°F. One time I forgot this step and had to wait FOREVER for the oven to heat up after everything was ready. Learn from my mistakes, people!
Find a 9×13 baking dish. I use my old Pyrex one that’s kinda stained from years of tomato sauce, but it works fine.
Step 2: The Rice Base
Dump your uncooked rice into the baking dish. Pour the chicken broth over it. Sprinkle that packet of onion soup mix all over. Add your diced onion, mushrooms if using, and whatever veggies you decided on.
Pour the melted butter all over everything and give it a good stir to make sure it’s all mixed up.
I’ve tried fancy versions of this lipton chicken and rice casserole before, but honestly, the basic version is what my family loves best. Sometimes I’ll throw in some minced garlic if I’m feeling ambitious.
Step 3: Chicken Time
Season your chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Maybe some paprika if you have it.
Place the chicken pieces on top of the rice mixture. DON’T push them down into the rice! This is important! I did this once and ended up with mushy rice in some spots and crunchy rice in others. Not great.
The chicken should just sit on top like it’s riding a rice raft.
Step 4: Cover & Forget About It
Cover the whole thing tightly with foil. This traps all the steam and helps cook everything properly.
Stick it in the oven and literally forget about it for about 2 hours. This is where the forgotten chicken recipe gets its name! Go do whatever you need to do—fold laundry, help with homework, scroll Instagram for way too long (my personal choice).
Step 5: Final Touch
After 2 hours, carefully take off the foil (watch for steam burns!). If you want the chicken skin to get crispy, put it back in the oven uncovered for about 15 more minutes.
Let it sit for like 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps everything settle down and the rice soak up any last bits of liquid.
Then just scoop some rice and grab a piece of chicken and dinner is DONE!
Ways to Change Up This Forgotten Chicken Recipe
Over the years I’ve come up with a bunch of variations to keep things interesting:
- Toss in a can of cream of mushroom soup for an even creamier chicken and rice bake with onion soup mix
- Add a sprinkle of cheddar cheese on top during the last 15 minutes
- Throw in some broccoli florets halfway through cooking
- Use wild rice instead of white rice (you’ll need a bit more liquid and cooking time)
- Add a splash of white wine to the broth for a fancier vibe
My neighbor adds hot sauce to hers which sounds weird but it’s actually pretty good! My husband likes his with extra onions and my kids pick out all the veggies no matter what I do 🤦♀️
Storing Leftovers (If There Are Any!)
This forgotten chicken casserole actually makes great leftovers. The flavors get even better overnight! Just store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. I use those glass containers with the snap lids.
For reheating, the microwave works fine but sometimes the rice dries out a bit. I usually add a tiny splash of water or broth before microwaving.
Can you freeze this? Yes but the rice texture changes a bit. Still totally edible though! I’ve definitely thrown together a double batch before a crazy week and frozen half for later.
Why You Need To Make This Forgotten Chicken Recipe ASAP
I still remember the first time I made this recipe. It was right after my second kid was born and I was a total zombie from lack of sleep. My mom came over with a casserole dish and all the ingredients, threw it together for me, and said “just don’t forget to take it out of the oven in 2 hours!” (Hence the name that stuck in our family!)
Now it’s the meal I make whenever life gets crazy busy or when I need to bring food to someone who just had a baby or is going through a tough time. It’s comfort food that actually comforts because it’s so easy to make.
If you’re having one of those weeks (and who isn’t these days?), give this forgotten chicken recipe a try. While it’s cooking, you could also whip up some buttermilk ranch dressing for a quick side salad, or prep some frozen hash brown patties for breakfast tomorrow!
Let me know if you try this recipe! Did your family devour it? Did you add your own spin? I’m always looking for new ways to update this classic!
Forgotten Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Oven
- Measuring cups
- Foil
Ingredients
- 4 –6 chicken pieces thighs recommended
- 1 cup uncooked long grain rice not instant
- 1 packet Lipton onion soup mix
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup 1/2 stick melted butter
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms optional
- 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots or mixed veggies
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Dried thyme or parsley optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Add rice to a 9×13 baking dish. Pour in chicken broth.
- Sprinkle the onion soup mix over rice, then add diced onion, mushrooms, and veggies.
- Pour melted butter over everything and mix well.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place on top of rice mixture.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 2 hours.
- Optional: Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes to crisp up the chicken skin.
- Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
FAQs About This Forgotten Chicken Recipe
What to cook when you are tired of chicken?
OK so if you’re chickened-out, this same method works great with pork chops! Or you could try my fave fajitas de pollo which is chicken but tastes completely different. If you need a total break from poultry, check out this amazing beef bracciole that’s super impressive but actually easy!
Why is it called nixon chicken?
So there’s actually some confusion here! Nixon chicken is a different recipe that usually has wine and tarragon. This forgotten chicken recipe got its name because you literally put it in the oven and forget about it while it cooks! Way less political, way more practical for busy parents lol.
What are the names of the 50 shades of chicken recipe?
Haha this question cracks me up! “50 Shades of Chicken” is actually a parody cookbook with recipes named things like “Chicken Tied to a Bed of Vegetables.” My forgotten chicken recipe isn’t quite that exciting, but it’s definitely more family-friendly! If you want something with a bit more kick, try my chipotle bowl recipe instead.
How many calories are in forgotten chicken?
This recipe for forgotten chicken has about 390 calories per serving. But honestly it depends on what chicken pieces you use (dark meat has more calories than white) and how much rice you pile on your plate. It’s definitely not diet food but it’s not terrible either!
What piece of chicken has the lowest calories?
Boneless skinless chicken breast is definitely the lowest calorie option at around 165 calories per 3.5 oz. Thighs have about 209 calories for the same amount. BUT thighs work wayyy better in this forgotten chicken and rice recipe because they don’t dry out during the long cooking time. Sometimes a few extra calories are worth it for flavor!