Description
This French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole is pure comfort in a dish! Tender chicken, caramelized onions, creamy orzo, and melty Gruyère cheese come together in one skillet for an irresistible weeknight dinner. It’s hearty, flavorful, and baked to golden perfection — the kind of cozy meal that warms your soul.
Ingredients
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1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
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3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
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2 tbsp butter
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1 tbsp olive oil
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 ½ cups uncooked orzo pasta
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2 cups beef broth
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1 cup heavy cream
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1 ½ cups shredded Gruyère cheese (or Swiss/mozzarella)
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1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (plus extra for garnish)
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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Optional: chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
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Caramelize the onions:
In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, melt butter with olive oil over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook slowly, stirring often, until golden and caramelized — about 30–40 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute. -
Brown the chicken:
Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a separate skillet (or after removing onions), brown on both sides until golden. The chicken doesn’t need to be fully cooked — it will finish in the oven. -
Deglaze and combine:
Add beef broth to the onions, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in orzo, cream, thyme, and browned chicken. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until the orzo begins to absorb liquid but remains slightly firm. -
Add cheese and bake:
Stir in half the Gruyère cheese. Sprinkle the rest on top and bake uncovered at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until golden and bubbly. -
Serve and enjoy:
Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with thyme or parsley for a touch of color and freshness.
Notes
For extra flavor, use chicken thighs — they stay juicier during baking.
Substitute mozzarella or Swiss if Gruyère isn’t available.
Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra texture and nutrition.
Leftovers keep well for up to 3 days in the fridge. Add a splash of broth before reheating for best results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner , casserole
- Method: Oven-baked, One-pan
- Cuisine: American , French-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 585 Kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 830 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg