Description
Comfort meets elegance in this French onion chicken casserole, blending rich caramelized onions with tender chicken in a creamy, herb-infused sauce. Cheese-topped and golden brown, this dish promises a delightful journey through classic French-inspired comfort cuisine you’ll savor with every hearty bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 or 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch fresh cracked pepper
- 1 dash red crushed chili pepper flakes (optional)
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or Gruyere)
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) unsalted butter
Additional Ingredients:
- 5 large onions (thinly sliced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup (60 to 120 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter and sauté onions with salt and pepper until they become soft, approximately 5-8 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking onions, stirring periodically, allowing them to caramelize slowly. If the pan becomes dry, add a splash of broth to prevent burning and enhance browning, which takes about 15 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to the caramelized onions and cook until aromatic, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and let slightly cool.
- Season chicken breasts with oregano, chili pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, being cautious with salt due to the inherent saltiness of French onion and cheese.
- Arrange seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish, evenly distributing caramelized onions over each piece.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese generously on top of the onion-covered chicken.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is completely cooked and cheese melts thoroughly. Finish with a 2-minute broil to create a crispy cheese topping.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately alongside steamed vegetables or cauliflower rice.
Notes
- Caramelize onions slowly for deeper, richer flavor that enhances the entire dish’s taste profile.
- Use low-sodium broth to control salt levels and prevent the dish from becoming too salty.
- Butterfly chicken breasts for more even cooking and faster heat penetration.
- Select high-quality cheese like Gruyère or Swiss for authentic French onion depth and complexity.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg