Chicken casserole is the ultimate comfort dish—and this version, lovingly named Forgotten Chicken Casserole, is the easiest one you’ll ever make. Why “forgotten”? Because after just a few minutes of assembly, you simply place it in the oven and forget about it while it bakes to savory, creamy perfection. Made with bone-in chicken, long-grain rice, and a rich blend of soups and seasonings, this set-it-and-forget-it meal delivers all the heartiness of a home-cooked dinner with hardly any work. It’s a true lifesaver on busy nights and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Table of Contents

💖 Why You’ll Love This Chicken Casserole

Effortless Prep: Just mix, pour, layer, and bake—no babysitting required
One-Dish Wonder: Everything cooks together in a single baking dish
Comfort Food Classic: Creamy rice, juicy chicken, and savory flavor in every bite
Meal Prep Friendly: Stores and reheats beautifully for easy leftovers
Customizable: Add veggies, swap seasonings, or make it gluten-free
Nostalgic & Reliable: A vintage recipe passed down through generations

🧂 Ingredients

4–6 bone-in chicken pieces (thighs or drumsticks recommended)
1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
2½ cups chicken broth
1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
1 packet (1 oz) dry onion soup mix
¼ cup butter, cut into small pieces
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon paprika
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (optional)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

Preheat & Prepare Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
Mix the Rice Base
In a medium bowl, stir together the uncooked rice, chicken broth, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, and dry onion soup mix. Fold in frozen vegetables if using. Pour this mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish.
Season the Chicken
Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Assemble the Casserole
Place the seasoned chicken skin-side up on top of the rice mixture. Distribute butter pieces over the top.
Cover and Bake
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Don’t lift the foil during this time—it traps essential steam for cooking the rice.
Uncover for Crispy Finish
Remove foil carefully. Return casserole to oven and bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes, or until chicken is golden and cooked to 165°F (74°C) internally.
Rest and Serve
Let casserole rest 10 minutes before serving. This allows the rice to set and makes serving easier.

⏱️ Recipe Details

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 4–6
Estimated Cost: $10–$14

🔢 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: ~435
Protein: 30g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fat: 20g
Sodium: 980mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 2g
Cholesterol: 95mg

Note: Nutrition values may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.

💡 Tips & Variations

Use Bone-In Chicken: It adds flavor and stays juicy.
Don’t Peek!: Lifting the foil too early can disrupt the rice cooking process.
Add Veggies: Fold in broccoli, mushrooms, or bell peppers for a veggie boost.
Make It Cheesy: Stir shredded cheddar into the rice mix or sprinkle on top during the final bake.
Go Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free soups and onion mix for a celiac-friendly version.
Low-Sodium Option: Use low-sodium broth and soups to cut down salt.

Forgotten Chicken Casserole

A creamy, comforting chicken casserole you can “forget” in the oven—minimal prep, maximum flavor!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 1 30

Total Time 1 40

Servings: 6

Course: dinner

Cuisine: American

Calories: 435

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

– 4–6 bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks
– 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
– 2½ cups chicken broth
– 1 10.5 oz can cream of mushroom soup
– 1 10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup
– 1 packet 1 oz dry onion soup mix
– ¼ cup butter cut into small cubes
– ½ tsp garlic powder
– ½ tsp paprika
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables optional

Equipment

– 9×13″ baking dish
Mixing bowl
Aluminum foil
– Meat thermometer (recommended)

Method

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
In a bowl, combine rice, broth, soups, onion soup mix. Add veggies if using.
Pour into baking dish and dot with butter.
Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika.
Place chicken skin-side up on rice mixture.
Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes.
Uncover and bake 15–20 minutes more until chicken is golden and cooked to 165°F.
Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

– Do not uncover during first bake—steam is essential.
– Add cheese or veggies for extra flavor.
– Use gluten-free soups for a GF version.

❓ FAQs

Can I use boneless chicken breasts?

Yes, but they cook faster. Add them after the first 30 minutes to prevent drying out.

My rice came out undercooked. What happened?

Make sure the dish is tightly sealed with foil and don’t open the oven. Also check oven calibration and liquid ratio.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble everything except the rice, refrigerate for up to 8 hours, then add rice and bake as directed.

Can I freeze leftovers?

Definitely. Let cool completely, portion into airtight containers, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

What’s the best way to reheat?

Oven: Cover and bake at 325°F for 20 minutes. Microwave: Heat individual servings for 2–3 minutes.

🏁 Conclusion

This chicken casserole is far from forgettable. The Forgotten Chicken Casserole earns its name by being so effortless, yet so satisfying. It’s the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug after a long day—rich, creamy, and deeply comforting. Whether you make the classic version or one of the flavorful variations, it’s a guaranteed hit at the dinner table. Just prep, bake, and forget about it… until your kitchen smells like heaven.