Description
Hearty Forgotten Chicken and Rice emerges as a comforting classic, blending tender chicken with perfectly seasoned rice. Rustic simplicity meets homestyle cooking, promising a satisfying meal that connects family around the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Starches:
- 2 cups instant rice (white or brown)
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) water (use the empty soup can for measurement)
- 1 envelope onion soup mix
- 1 tablespoon butter (for greasing)
Optional Additions:
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Frozen vegetables
- Diced chicken
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F (175°C), ensuring an even temperature for consistent cooking.
- Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter, creating a non-stick surface for easy serving and cleanup.
- Create a smooth base mixture by whisking cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, water, and rice until thoroughly combined and free of lumps.
- Transfer the rice and soup blend into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom of the dish.
- Carefully arrange chicken breasts atop the rice mixture, ensuring they are nestled comfortably in the creamy base.
- Generously distribute onion soup mix over the chicken, guaranteeing balanced seasoning across the entire dish.
- Shield the pan completely with aluminum foil to lock in moisture and prevent excessive browning.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 1 to 1½ hours, monitoring until chicken reaches perfect doneness and rice becomes tender and fluffy.
- For an optional flavor boost, remove foil during the final 10 minutes and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the surface.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, allowing flavors to meld and settle before serving.
Notes
- Swap soups for dietary needs like using low-sodium or gluten-free cream soups to accommodate different health requirements.
- Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- For extra flavor boost, substitute water with chicken broth or add fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary before baking to enhance the overall taste profile.
- Use a meat thermometer to check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked protein without overcooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 242 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 630 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg