There is a special category of recipes that earned their place in home kitchens not because they are fancy or complicated, but because they are almost impossibly simple. Amazing Forgotten Chicken belongs to that category. The name says it all: you assemble the dish, put it in the oven, and then forget about it until dinnertime.
This recipe is a classic from the era of convenience cooking, when home cooks discovered that cream soups and dry soup mixes could transform humble ingredients into something deeply satisfying. With just a handful of pantry staples and almost no active prep time, this chicken bakes into something tender, juicy, and smothered in a creamy, savory sauce. It is the perfect dinner for busy weeknights, sick days, or any time you need a hot meal without spending an hour at the stove.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Only a few simple ingredients
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Almost no active prep time
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Chicken stays incredibly tender and juicy
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Creates its own creamy sauce as it bakes
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Perfect for serving over rice, noodles, or potatoes
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Great for beginner cooks
Amazing Forgotten Chicken
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Bake Time:Approximately 2 hours | Total Time: About 2 hours
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
Additional ingredients are not fully visible in the image provided. Based on the classic recipe, you will also likely need:
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1 packet dry Italian dressing mix (or dry onion soup mix)
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½ cup chicken broth or water
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Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions (Based on the Classic Version)
1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Arrange the Chicken:
Place the chicken breasts in an even layer in the prepared baking dish. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
3. Prepare the Sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, dry Italian dressing mix, and chicken broth or water until smooth.
4. Assemble:
Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken breasts, making sure each piece is coated.
5. Bake:
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 1½ to 2 hours, or until the chicken is very tender and cooked through. Do not lift the foil during baking—the steam is what keeps the chicken moist and creates the creamy sauce.
6. Serve:
Serve the chicken hot, spooning the creamy sauce from the bottom of the dish over the top. This chicken is excellent served over rice, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes.
Recipe Notes
The “Forgotten” Name: This dish is called “Forgotten Chicken” because once it goes into the oven, you can literally forget about it until the timer goes off. The foil cover traps steam, preventing the chicken from drying out even if it cooks a little longer than intended.
Cream of Chicken Substitutions: Cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup can be used in place of cream of chicken. Each will create a slightly different flavor profile but will work just as well.
Add Vegetables: For a complete one-dish meal, add 2 cups of baby carrots and 2 cups of small potatoes (or quartered larger potatoes) to the baking dish around the chicken before adding the sauce.