French Onion Chicken Recipe

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If you love the rich, comforting flavors of French onion soup, you’re in for a treat with this French Onion Chicken recipe. Tender, golden chicken breasts are smothered in caramelized onions and a savory sauce, topped with melted gruyere cheese. This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner or an impressive meal for guests.

Juicy French Onion Chicken with Melted Gruyere

French Onion Chicken brings together the deep flavors of caramelized onions, aromatic herbs, and a savory wine-based sauce. Topped with gooey gruyere cheese, this chicken dish is an irresistible blend of flavors. The key here is to perfectly sear the chicken and take your time with the caramelized onions to get that deep, rich sweetness that elevates the whole meal.

Unlike other chicken recipes, this one is simmered in a flavorful onion sauce, ensuring the chicken stays moist, tender, and bursting with flavor.

No need to worry about dry chicken – this recipe guarantees a juicy and savory bite every time, making it a star dish for any night of the week.

And guess what? It’s easier to make than you might think!

What Makes This Recipe Special?

• Savory caramelized onions create a deep, sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with the seared chicken.
• Rich sauce made with red wine and beef stock elevates the dish with restaurant-quality flavors.
• Melted gruyere cheese adds a luscious, creamy topping that complements the savory onion sauce.
• Simple steps ensure you’ll have a gourmet meal without spending hours in the kitchen!

Whether you’re making it for a family dinner or impressing guests, French Onion Chicken is sure to become one of your go-to recipes.

Ingredients for French Onion Chicken

To make this flavorful French Onion Chicken, you’ll need a simple list of ingredients for both the chicken and the rich, savory sauce. Each ingredient brings out the deep flavors and ensures a delicious, well-balanced dish.

For the Chicken:

• Chicken Breasts – 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half horizontally to create thinner, evenly sized portions. This ensures they cook evenly and quickly.
• Italian Seasoning – 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning to add a burst of herbs that pair well with the onions and cheese.
• Garlic Powder – ½ tablespoon to give the chicken a light, aromatic garlic flavor.
• Flour – 1 cup of flour, used to coat the chicken, giving it a light crispiness when seared.
• Parmesan Cheese – ¼ cup grated Parmesan to mix with the flour for a cheesy, crispy exterior.
• Kosher Salt – ½ teaspoon to season the chicken.
• Olive Oil – 3 tablespoons of olive oil for searing the chicken to a golden brown.
• Butter – 1 tablespoon of butter adds richness when pan-frying the chicken.

For the Sauce:

• Butter – 2 tablespoons to caramelize the onions and create a flavorful base for the sauce.
• Olive Oil – 1 tablespoon to help the butter melt smoothly and prevent it from burning.
• Onions – 4 cups of thinly sliced sweet or yellow onions (about ¼ inch thick), which will be caramelized to bring out their natural sweetness.
• Fresh Thyme – 1 teaspoon of freshly chopped thyme for an earthy, aromatic flavor.
• Fresh Rosemary – 1 teaspoon of freshly chopped rosemary to add a fragrant, herbal note to the sauce.
• Garlic – 3 cloves of minced garlic to deepen the flavor of the caramelized onions.
• Red Wine – ½ cup of red wine, which adds depth and acidity to the sauce. You can use a good-quality drinking wine for the best results.
• Flour – 2 tablespoons to thicken the sauce and give it a velvety texture.
• Beef Stock – 2 cups of beef stock to create a rich, savory base for the sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce – 1 tablespoon to add umami and deepen the sauce flavor. You can substitute with soy sauce or coconut aminos if you prefer.
• Gruyere Cheese – 2 cups of shredded gruyere cheese to melt over the chicken, creating a creamy, rich finish.

How to Make French Onion Chicken

This recipe is simple, but taking your time with each step will ensure the chicken is juicy and the sauce is rich and flavorful. Follow these steps for perfect French Onion Chicken every time.

1. Prepare the Chicken

The first step is to prepare and season the chicken properly to ensure it cooks evenly and holds flavor.

• Seasoning the Chicken: Start by patting the chicken breasts dry and slicing them in half horizontally. This helps the chicken cook faster and more evenly.
• Dredge the Chicken: In a shallow dish, whisk together the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, flour, Parmesan cheese, kosher salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Dredge the chicken in this seasoned flour mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Shake off any excess flour.
• Sear the Chicken: Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts to the pan and cook for about 3 minutes per side, until golden brown. If necessary, add a little more olive oil to the pan to prevent sticking. Transfer the chicken to a platter and keep it warm. It doesn’t need to be fully cooked at this stage since it will finish in the sauce.

2. Caramelize the Onions

Caramelized onions are the heart of this recipe, adding a rich sweetness to the sauce.

• Start the Onions: In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and toss to coat in the butter and oil mixture.
• Cook Low and Slow: Cook the onions for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften. Then, add the fresh thyme, rosemary, and minced garlic.
• Cover and Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the onions cook for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent them from sticking. This slow cooking will allow the onions to fully caramelize and become sweet and tender.
• Finish the Onions: After 30 minutes, uncover the skillet and increase the heat to medium. Continue cooking the onions for an additional 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown and fully caramelized.

3. Make the Sauce

Once the onions are caramelized, it’s time to create a rich, savory sauce to bring everything together.

• Deglaze with Wine: Pour the red wine into the skillet with the onions, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. This is where a lot of flavor is concentrated. Let the wine cook until it has reduced by half, about 3-4 minutes.
• Thicken the Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the onions and wine, stirring to combine. Let the mixture cook for 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
• Add the Stock: Slowly pour in the beef stock, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Increase the heat to medium-high, bringing the sauce to a low boil. Once it starts to thicken, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 3-5 minutes.
• Finish with Worcestershire: Stir in the Worcestershire sauce for added depth and umami flavor. Remove the skillet from the heat.

Now your rich, flavorful sauce is ready, and the chicken will finish cooking in it.

How Long to Cook French Onion Chicken

Perfectly cooking French Onion Chicken requires attention to the searing and baking times, ensuring the chicken stays tender and juicy. Since the chicken breasts are first seared on the stovetop and then finished in the oven, you’ll achieve a crispy golden exterior and a fully cooked interior.

Estimated Cooking Times:

• Searing on the Stove: After dredging the chicken in the seasoned flour mixture, cook each breast in a hot pan for about 3 minutes on each side. This gives the chicken a beautiful golden crust, but it won’t be cooked through at this point.
• Baking in the Oven: Once the sauce is made and the chicken is nestled in it, transfer the skillet to a preheated oven. Bake the chicken at 450°F for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F on a meat thermometer.

Quick Tip:

• Cooking Times May Vary: The exact cooking time can depend on the thickness of your chicken breasts. Thicker cuts may need a little more time, while thinner slices will cook faster. Using an instant-read thermometer ensures your chicken is perfectly cooked without drying out.

How to Melt the Cheese

The final step in this recipe is the glorious topping of melted gruyere cheese. Once the chicken is cooked through, sprinkle 2 cups of shredded gruyere cheese evenly over the chicken and onions. Place the skillet back in the oven and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.

You can also switch the oven to broil for the last minute to get an extra golden and crispy top on the cheese. Just keep an eye on it to avoid burning!

How to Store Leftovers

This French Onion Chicken is so delicious that you might not have any leftovers, but if you do, here’s how to store them:

• In the Fridge: Cooked chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.
• In the Freezer: To freeze, let the chicken cool completely. Wrap each chicken breast tightly in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Cooking Tips for Success

• Don’t Rush the Onions: The key to the rich flavor of this dish is perfectly caramelized onions. Low and slow is the way to go! Give them plenty of time to turn sweet and golden brown.
• Rest the Chicken: After baking, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken moist and tender.
• Deglaze for Extra Flavor: When you pour the wine into the skillet, be sure to scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. These add an extra depth of flavor to the sauce!

With these steps, you’ll achieve a perfectly cooked, deeply flavorful French Onion Chicken every time.

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