Description
French Onion Chicken is a deliciously comforting dish that combines tender seared chicken breasts with sweet, caramelized onions and savory Gruyère cheese. Enhanced by a flavorful beef broth and a touch of balsamic vinegar, this recipe offers a rich, melt-in-your-mouth experience reminiscent of classic French onion soup, perfect for an elegant yet easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.5 pounds total)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Onion Mixture
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Topping and Garnish
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- Optional fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sprinkle with salt. Cook the onions slowly, stirring occasionally, until they are caramelized and golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.
- Season and Sear Chicken: While the onions are cooking, season the chicken breasts with black pepper and dried thyme. In a separate pan, sear the chicken over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes on each side until browned.
- Add Liquids to Onions: Once the onions are caramelized, add the balsamic vinegar and beef broth to the pan with the onions. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
- Simmer Chicken with Onions: Nestle the seared chicken breasts in the onion mixture, cover, and let simmer for 10-15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Prepare for Broiling: Preheat the broiler in your oven. Once the chicken is cooked, sprinkle the shredded Gruyère cheese evenly over the chicken and onion mixture.
- Broil: Place the skillet under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- Be patient while caramelizing onions; low and slow cooking enhances sweetness and flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked safely to 165°F.
- Gruyère cheese can be substituted with Swiss or mozzarella if unavailable, though flavor will vary.
- For a gluten-free option, ensure the beef broth is gluten-free.
- This dish pairs well with crusty bread or a simple green salad.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing, Simmering, Broiling
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with onion and cheese
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: French onion chicken, caramelized onion chicken, Gruyère chicken, savory chicken recipes, easy French recipes
