Simple Forgotten Chicken and Rice: Effortless Comfort (Print Version)
Whip up Simple Forgotten Chicken and Rice, a hearty, one-pan meal with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and rich flavors. Easy weeknight dinner!
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
Servings: 4-6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American Comfort
Dietary: Contains Dairy, Gluten
# Ingredients:
→ Hearty Base
01 -
4-6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
02 -
1.5 cups long-grain white rice
03 -
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
04 -
1.5 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
→ Flavor Boosters
05 -
1 tsp onion powder
06 -
1 tsp garlic powder
07 -
1 tsp dried parsley
08 -
1/2 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
→ Finishing Touches
09 -
2 tbsp unsalted butter
→ Optional Extras
10 -
1 cup frozen peas or mixed vegetables
# Instructions:
01 -
Okay, first things first, grab your trusty 9x13 baking dish. No need to grease it, honestly, the chicken fat and sauce will take care of that. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, onion powder, garlic powder, dried parsley, and black pepper until it’s all smooth. This is the flavor base, and it should smell wonderfully savory already!
02 -
Now, sprinkle the dry long-grain white rice evenly across the bottom of your baking dish. Next, nestle those chicken thighs on top of the rice. Try to arrange them so they're not completely piled on each other, giving them a little room. This is where I always make sure the chicken is mostly submerged in the rice later, so it cooks evenly.
03 -
Carefully pour that creamy soup mixture evenly over the chicken and rice. Make sure the rice is mostly covered by the liquid – that's crucial for it to cook up fluffy and tender. Then, take those pats of butter and scatter them over the chicken. I usually do about 4-6 small pats. It’s for that extra richness and crispy skin, you know?
04 -
Tightly cover your baking dish with aluminum foil. This traps all that glorious steam, which is what cooks the rice perfectly. Pop it into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Now, here’s the best part: just walk away! Let it bake for 35 minutes. Resist the urge to peek, honestly; that steam is doing its work for this Simple Forgotten Chicken and Rice.
05 -
After 35 minutes, carefully remove the foil. The kitchen should smell absolutely incredible by now – rich, savory, comforting. Increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) and let it bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes. This is when the chicken skin gets beautifully golden and crispy, and any excess liquid evaporates, leaving you with perfectly cooked rice.
06 -
Once it's done, pull that gorgeous dish out of the oven. The chicken should be cooked through (165°F internal temperature), and the rice should be tender and fluffy. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and the rice to fully absorb all that creamy goodness. Spoon it out, making sure everyone gets some of that crispy skin and flavorful rice! This Simple Forgotten Chicken and Rice is truly a winner.
# Notes:
01 -
Always use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for the juiciest results, trust me.
02 -
Leftovers are best reheated covered in the oven with a splash of broth to prevent dryness.
03 -
Cream of mushroom soup can work in a pinch if you don't have cream of chicken, but expect a different flavor.
04 -
Serving with a simple green salad and crusty bread really balances out the richness.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
9x13 baking dish
02 -
large mixing bowl
03 -
whisk
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 550
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 45g
Protein: 35g