French Onion Chicken

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

French Onion Chicken brings restaurant-quality flavor to your home kitchen with minimal effort. The sweet, slow-cooked onions and melty cheese transform simple chicken breasts into a hearty, satisfying main dish. It’s made in one pan, pairs well with everything from mashed potatoes to crusty bread, and is bursting with flavor in every bite.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and black pepper
• Olive oil or butter
• Yellow onions (thinly sliced)
• Garlic (minced)
• Beef broth or chicken broth
• Balsamic vinegar or Worcestershire sauce (for depth)
• Dried thyme or fresh thyme
• All-purpose flour or cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
• Gruyère cheese or Swiss cheese (shredded or sliced)
• Optional: fresh parsley for garnish

Directions

1. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
2. In a large oven-safe skillet, heat oil or butter over medium-high heat. Sear chicken on both sides until golden brown (about 4–5 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
3. Reduce heat to medium. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized (about 20–25 minutes).
4. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Stir in balsamic vinegar (or Worcestershire sauce) and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
6. Pour in broth and add thyme. Simmer for 5 minutes. Optional: Stir in a bit of flour or cornstarch slurry to thicken.
7. Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the onions.
8. Top each chicken breast with shredded or sliced cheese.
9. Transfer the skillet to a 400°F (200°C) oven or cover and cook on the stovetop until the cheese is melted and chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
10. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 4 servings.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes

Variations

• Use chicken thighs: Boneless thighs work great and add extra richness.
• Make it creamy: Add a splash of heavy cream to the sauce for a creamier version.
• Add mushrooms: Sauté sliced mushrooms along with the onions for added depth.
• Different cheeses: Mozzarella, provolone, or a sharp white cheddar also melt beautifully.
• Low-carb version: Serve over cauliflower mash or green beans.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat or microwave in short intervals, adding a splash of broth if needed to loosen the sauce.
This dish can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as above.

FAQs

What kind of onions are best for this recipe?

Yellow onions are ideal for caramelizing thanks to their natural sweetness, but white or sweet onions also work.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless, skinless thighs are a great alternative and stay juicy during cooking.

What cheese works best?

Gruyère is the traditional choice for French onion flavor, but Swiss, provolone, or mozzarella also work well.

Do I have to caramelize the onions?

Yes, caramelizing the onions is essential to develop the deep, sweet-savory flavor that defines this dish.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, prepare and store the cooked dish in the fridge, then reheat and serve when ready.

What side dishes go well with French Onion Chicken?

Mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles, or crusty bread are excellent pairings to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes, just skip the cheese or use a dairy-free alternative that melts well.

How do I thicken the sauce?

Add a small amount of flour or cornstarch slurry during simmering to thicken the broth.

Can I make this in the slow cooker?

Yes. Sear the chicken and caramelize onions first, then cook everything in the slow cooker on low for 4–5 hours.

Is it gluten-free?

It can be—use cornstarch instead of flour and ensure your broth and cheese are gluten-free.

Conclusion

French Onion Chicken is a hearty, flavor-packed meal that takes the elegance of French onion soup and turns it into a satisfying entrée. With caramelized onions, juicy chicken, and gooey melted cheese, it’s a dish that feels special but is simple enough for any night of the week. Whether you’re cooking for guests or treating yourself to something cozy, this recipe is sure to impress.

French Onion Chicken

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French Onion Chicken is a savory, one-skillet meal featuring juicy chicken breasts smothered in caramelized onions, a rich broth-based sauce, and melted Gruyère cheese. It’s a comforting and elegant dish inspired by classic French onion soup.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop + Baking
• Cuisine: French-Inspired
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup beef broth or chicken broth
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar or Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried thyme or 1 tbsp fresh thyme
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour or 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
• Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
3. Heat oil or butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
4. Reduce heat to medium. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized (20–25 minutes).
5. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
6. Stir in balsamic vinegar (or Worcestershire sauce) and scrape up browned bits.
7. Pour in broth and add thyme. Simmer for 5 minutes. If desired, whisk in flour or cornstarch slurry to thicken.
8. Return chicken to skillet, nestling it into the onions.
9. Top each chicken breast with shredded or sliced cheese.
10. Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until cheese is melted and chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
11. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Notes

• Use boneless chicken thighs for extra juiciness.
• Add mushrooms with the onions for added flavor.
• Substitute Gruyère with provolone, mozzarella, or white cheddar.
• For a creamy twist, stir in a splash of heavy cream to the sauce before baking.
• Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 720mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 38g
• Cholesterol: 110mg