30-Minute Forgotten Chicken for Effortless Weeknight Bliss

Name: 30-Minute Forgotten Chicken for Effortless Weeknight Bliss
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1 cup long-grain white rice; 2 cups chicken broth; 1 onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 tablespoon olive oil

By:

Christina R. Jones

June 2, 2025

This post may contain affiliate links learn more

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

You know those nights when you’re running on empty, the kids are hangry, and takeout just isn’t in the budget? That’s when my forgotten chicken recipe saves the day. I discovered this one-pan wonder during one of those chaotic weeks where my slow cooker died and my brain was fried. The magic? You basically toss everything in a skillet, pop it in the oven, and forget about it (hence the name!). Thirty minutes later – boom! Tender chicken, fluffy rice, and minimal cleanup. The paprika and thyme create this cozy aroma that makes everyone think you slaved for hours. Trust me, this dish will become your new weeknight superhero.

Why You’ll Love This Forgotten Chicken Recipe

This recipe has become my go-to for so many reasons:

It’s ridiculously easy – prep takes maybe 10 minutes if you’re moving slow
One pan means no mountain of dishes to deal with after dinner
The chicken stays juicy and flavorful while the rice cooks underneath
That golden sear on the chickenaurant-waurant-waurant-waurant-worthy with zero effort
The smell alone will have your family thinking you’re a kitchen wizard

Seriously – set it and forget it. What’s not to love?

forgotten chicken - detail 1

Ingredients for Forgotten Chicken

Here’s everything you’ll need for this no-fuss meal – I promise it’s all pantry staples you probably have already:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs total) – look for ones of even thickness so they cook at the same rate
1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked) – don’t use instant here, it’ll turn to mush
2 cups chicken broth – the better quality, the more flavor your rice will soak up
1 medium onion, diced – yellow or white works best
2 garlic cloves, minced – or 1 teaspoon of the jarred stuff in a pinch
1 teaspoon each of paprika and dried thyme – my secret flavor boosters
Salt and pepper – to taste, but don’t be shy
1 tablespoon olive oil – for that perfect golden sear

That’s it! No fancy ingredients, no last-minute grocery runs. Just simple, good food.

How to Make Forgotten Chicken

Okay, let’s get cooking! The beauty of forgotten chicken is how everything comes together in one pan with minimal fuss. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have dinner on the table before you know it.

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

First things first – that golden crust makes all the difference! Pat your chicken breasts dry (this helps them brown better), then season generously with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. Heat olive oil in your skillet over medium-high until it shimmers. Carefully add the chicken – you should hear that satisfying sizzle! Let it cook undisturbed for 3 minutes per side until you get that beautiful caramelized color. Don’t worry if it’s not cooked through yet – we’re finishing it in the oven.

Step 2: Cook the Rice Base

Remove the chicken and in that same glorious pan (with all those tasty browned bits!), toss in your diced onion. Cook for about 2 minutes until they start to soften, then add the garlic – just 30 seconds until fragrant. Now stir in the rice, letting it toast slightly and soak up all those flavors. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any stuck-on bits from the bottom – that’s pure flavor gold!

Step 3: Bake Your Forgotten Chicken

Nestle the seared chicken right on top of the rice mixture. Cover tightly with foil or a lid – this creates a little steam oven for perfect rice. Pop it in your preheated 375°F oven and here’s the best part: walk away for 25 minutes! When the timer goes off, resist the urge to peek – let it rest covered for 5 more minutes. This lets the rice finish absorbing all that delicious broth and the chicken juices redistribute.

Tips for Perfect Forgotten Chicken

After making this recipe more times than I can count, here are my hard-earned secrets for foolproof results every time:

Use thighs for extra juiciness – swap breasts for 6 boneless, skinless thighs (they’re more forgiving if you forget to check the timer!)
Don’t skip the sear – that golden crust adds so much flavor and keeps the chicken moist
Add lemon zest – just a teaspoon brightens up the whole dish beautifully
Check your rice – if it’s still crunchy after baking, add 2 tbsp broth and cover for 5 more minutes
Let it rest – those 5 minutes make all the difference for tender chicken

Trust me – these little tricks take this dish from good to “when are you making this again?!”

Forgotten Chicken Variations

Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, try these easy twists to keep things interesting:

Toss in veggies – bell peppers or peas add color and nutrition (throw them in with the onions)
Spice it up – swap thyme for oregano or add a pinch of red pepper flakes
Make it creamy – stir a splash of heavy cream into the broth for risotto-style rice
Try different proteins – pork chops work beautifully with this method too

The best part? You can’t mess it up – that’s why they call it forgotten chicken!

Serving Suggestions for Forgotten Chicken

This dish is already a complete meal with protein and carbs, so I like to keep sides simple and fresh. My go-to? A crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette or some steamed broccoli with garlic butter. The bright flavors cut through the richness perfectly. Avoid heavy starches – trust me, the rice here is plenty satisfying on its own!

Storing and Reheating Forgotten Chicken

Here’s how to keep your leftovers tasting just as good as the first night: let the dish cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge – it’ll stay delicious for up to 3 days. When reheating, sprinkle a tablespoon of broth or water over the rice to keep it from drying out. My favorite trick? Cover with a damp paper towel and microwave in 30-second bursts until warmed through. The chicken stays juicy and the rice stays fluffy – almost like you just made it!

Forgotten Chicken Nutrition

Now let’s talk about what’s actually in this comforting dish! (Nutrition will vary slightly based on your specific ingredients, but here’s a good estimate per serving): about 350 calories with a solid 30g of protein to keep you full. You’re looking at around 35g carbs from the rice (hey, energy!), and only 8g fat – mostly the good kind from olive oil. There’s about 2g sugar naturally occurring in the dish, and 450mg sodium (but you can always use low-sodium broth if you’re watching that). What I love? It’s packed with flavor without being heavy – the perfect balance for a weeknight meal that won’t leave you feeling sluggish!

Forgotten Chicken FAQs

I get asked these questions all the time about my forgotten chicken recipe, so let me save you some trial and error!

Can I use brown rice instead of white? Absolutely! Just increase the broth to 2 1/4 cups and bake for 40 minutes instead of 25. Brown rice needs more liquid and time to get tender.

Do I really need to sear the chicken first? I know it’s tempting to skip, but trust me – those 6 minutes make all the difference! Searing locks in juices and gives that gorgeous golden color you can’t get from baking alone.

How do I keep the chicken from drying out? Two words: don’t overbake! Set that timer for 25 minutes exactly. The carryover heat during resting time finishes the cooking perfectly. Also, chicken breasts around 1-inch thick work best.

Try this recipe tonight and forget the hassle!