Here's what I love about chicken: it is white meat, inexpensive, and so incredibly versatile. Here's what I don't like: finding new and enticing ways to prepare this meat so that we don't get tired of the same old recipe over and over. My French Onion Chicken recipe is the perfect answer for the question "How are we fixing the chicken tonight?".
Flavorful and sassy, French Onion Chicken is equally appropriate for an intimate family meal and for a company dinner. This gorgeous meal begins with slowly caramelized onions and ends with melted cheese.
Why This Recipe
When you are looking for a different way to serve chicken, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser that cannot go wrong. I love how the caramelized onions bring sweetness to the dish for the perfect sweet-and-savory comfort food.
If you have onions that need to be used, making French Onion Chicken is the perfect way to use that produce before it spoils.
You can double this recipe without any sacrifice in flavor to serve a larger crowd. This one always brings compliments and gets requested. Don't expect leftovers.
Ingredients for French Onion Chicken
Onions. Thinly sliced, onions form the foundation for this dish.
Butter.
Olive Oil.
Bone-In Chicken Thighs.
Italian Seasoning.
Garlic Powder.
Black Pepper.
Salt.
Smoked Paprika.
Garlic Paste.
Vegetable or Chicken Broth.
Heavy Cream. Sometimes called Heavy Whipping Cream, this takes the sauce over the top.
Mozzarella Cheese. Shredded.
How to Make the French Onion Chicken Recipe
- Sautee the onions low and slow in a cast iron skillet.
- Coat and sear the chicken.
- Make the sauce, deglazing the pan.
- Bake for twenty to twenty five minutes.
Timesaving Tips for French Onion Chicken
When your onions are starting to get overripe, slice them up and freeze them for later use. This will help you save time on busy nights and will prevent waste at the same time.
If you don't have a cast iron you could use a large skillet up until the cream sauce is thickened. Pour into a baking dish, add chicken, onions and cheese and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes.
As the onions are cooking we want this to be low and slow so the temperature should not go above medium high. My fire was on a 3.5 on a gas stove.
As you stir the onions check and see if any areas are cooking faster than other. More than likely
the pan is not even on the burner.
Did you know you can make your own Italian Seasoning? It's just equal parts of five key Italian spices. You can use fresh or dried basil, oregano, marjoram, thyme, and rosemary. Mix and store in an airtight jar to use as needed. Since the spices are each different sizes and weights, give the mix a good shake before using each time.
FAQ
Can I cook the onions fast?
Not really? The whole point of French Onion anything is to have the amazing flavor of a slowly caramelized onion as the base of the dish. You can sautee onions on higher heat and get faster results, but the flavor will be meh. Or even worse, taste burned.
Low and slow is the way to cook onions for this dish. As the onions are cooking the temperature should not go above medium-high. My fire was on a 3.5 on a gas stove. As you stir the onions check and see if any areas are cooking faster than others. More than likely the pan is not even on the burner. Be sure to move the onions around to ensure nothing burns.
What is Italian Seasoning?
You can usually find pre-mixed Italian Seasoning in the spice section of your local grocery store. If you cannot find it or just want to use what you have, mix equal parts of these spices: basil, oregano, marjoram, thyme, and rosemary.
Can I use regular paprika?
Yes, you can use regular paprika. If you can remember to grab some smoked paprika next time you are at the store, the smoked variety really does add an extra dimension to the spice and the dish. But in a pinch, it's better to use what you have than to not cook at all.
Do I have to use cast iron?
If you don't have a cast iron you could use a large skillet up until the cream sauce is thickened.
Pour into a baking dish, add chicken, onions, and cheese and bake in the oven for 20-25 mins
Related Recipes - More Great Ways to Make Chicken
Baked Chicken Tenders. Perfect when your kids want basic.
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili. A great choice for chilly nights with crusty bread on the side.
Honey Mustard Chicken. When you want a completely different flavor, this will hit the spot.
Easy Chicken Piccata. A classic made simple.
Mexican Chicken Corn Chowder. A chicken soup that will become a family favorite. Corn adds the perfect touch of sweetness to this soup.
French Onion Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- Large Cast Iron Skillet
- knife
- cutting board
Ingredients
- 2 large onions thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 bone-in thighs
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic paste
- ¼ cup vegetable or chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large pot over low heat.
- Add thinly sliced onion to a pan of melted butter and oil.
- Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper and let them carmelize for 25-30 mins over medium heat (stirring every ten mins)
- Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika on both sides and set aside.
- Once onions have caramelized, add in garlic paste and stir. Be sure to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes
- Remove carmelized onions from pan and set aside.
- Add in 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil and sear chicken thighs for about 5 minutes on both sides.
- Remove from pan and let rest.
- Deglaze the pan with broth and heavy cream.
- Let the sauce thicken for about 5 mins
- Add chicken thighs to the pan, top with onions and a little mozzarella cheese.
- Place in a 450-degree oven for 15-20 min or until chicken is fully cooked through
- Add more cheese at the 10 min mark and let cook the remaining 10 minutes.
Nutrition
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French Onion Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- Large Cast Iron Skillet
- knife
- cutting board
Ingredients
- 2 large onions thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 bone-in thighs
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic paste
- ¼ cup vegetable or chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large pot over low heat.
- Add thinly sliced onion to a pan of melted butter and oil.
- Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper and let them carmelize for 25-30 mins over medium heat (stirring every ten mins)
- Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika on both sides and set aside.
- Once onions have caramelized, add in garlic paste and stir. Be sure to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes
- Remove carmelized onions from pan and set aside.
- Add in 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil and sear chicken thighs for about 5 minutes on both sides.
- Remove from pan and let rest.
- Deglaze the pan with broth and heavy cream.
- Let the sauce thicken for about 5 mins
- Add chicken thighs to the pan, top with onions and a little mozzarella cheese.
- Place in a 450-degree oven for 15-20 min or until chicken is fully cooked through
- Add more cheese at the 10 min mark and let cook the remaining 10 minutes.
Anne
Looks like a fabulous dinner idea!