Description
Enjoy a comforting French Onion Chicken Casserole featuring tender chicken breasts in a creamy caramelized onion and Gruyère cheese sauce, topped with crispy bread crumbs. Perfect for family dinners!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1 cup French bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme, rubbing the seasonings into the meat.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and the sliced onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes until soft and golden brown.
- Pour in the beef broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to deglaze. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream and let the mixture simmer for another 2-3 minutes before removing from heat.
- In a large casserole dish, place the seared chicken breasts in a single layer.
- Pour the caramelized onion and cream mixture over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-covered.
- Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère cheese evenly over the top.
- Top with French bread crumbs, and drizzle a little olive oil over the crumbs for extra crispiness if desired.
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Scoop out portions of the casserole and garnish with fresh parsley.
- Serve with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Feel free to customize this recipe by adding your favorite vegetables or herbs.
- For a spicier kick, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the onion mixture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes