Imagine this: You toss 5 simple ingredients into a dish, pop it in the oven, walk away for hours… and come back to the most tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone chicken of your life. That’s the magic of Forgotten Chicken—a vintage recipe that’s too good to stay lost!
Perfect for busy weeknights, lazy Sundays, or when you just don’t want to babysit dinner, this recipe is a savior. And the best part? The oven does ALL the work while you forget about it (hence the name!).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Only 5 ingredients – Pantry staples, no fancy prep!
Zero hands-on time – Literally “set it and forget it.”
Crispy, golden top – With juicy, herb-infused chicken underneath.
Feeds a crowd – Easy to double for potlucks or leftovers.
Fun Fact: This recipe dates back to mid-20th century community cookbooks—when moms needed effortless, foolproof meals!
Ingredients (Yes, It’s Really This Simple!)
- 4-6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or drumsticks, or a mix)
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice (or jasmine for extra fragrance)
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup (or chicken, celery, or cheddar for variation)
- 1 (10.5 oz) can water (use the soup can to measure!)
- 1 packet dry onion soup mix (or 1 tbsp homemade seasoning*)
*Homemade seasoning alternative:
- 1 tbsp dried minced onion
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp parsley
- ½ tsp salt
Step-by-Step Instructions (Almost Too Easy!)
1. Preheat & Prep
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread the uncooked rice evenly.
2. Mix the “Forgotten” Sauce
- In a bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup, water, and dry onion soup mix.
- Pour over the rice—DO NOT STIR (this creates layers for perfect texture).
3. Add Chicken & Forget It!
- Place chicken pieces skin-side up on top (they’ll crisp while the rice steams below).
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 2 hours (no peeking!).
- Remove foil, bake 15-30 more minutes to crisp the skin.
4. Serve & Be Amazed
- Fluff the rice (now infused with chicken drippings and herbs!).
- Garnish with fresh parsley if you’re fancy—or devour as-is!
Pro Tips for the Best Forgotten Chicken
Skin-on, bone-in chicken = maximum flavor and juiciness.
Swap the rice for quartered potatoes or egg noodles for a twist.
Add cheese – Sprinkle cheddar over the chicken last 10 minutes.
Kick it up – Add paprika, cayenne, or a dash of hot sauce to the soup mix.
Make it ahead – Assemble the dish and refrigerate overnight before baking.