French Onion Baked Chicken
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
50 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
544 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
French Onion Baked Chicken
Description
The recipe begins by slowly cooking thinly sliced yellow onions in butter and olive oil with thyme and black pepper until they soften and develop a richly caramelized, jam-like texture. Garlic and balsamic vinegar deepen the flavor, while beef broth adds moisture and umami. The prepared chicken breasts are seasoned with salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and garlic powder before being arranged in a buttered baking dish with some caramelized onions and broth. Each breast is topped with a generous spoonful of the onion mixture and finishes with shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Baking the dish melds the savory baked cheese with the sweet onions and tender chicken. The onions offer sweetness and aroma from thyme and garlic, balancing the savory notes of cheese and broth. The cheese topping melts and browns for a comforting crust. This dish serves well as a flavorful, standalone entrée paired with simple vegetables or a light salad to contrast the richness.
Caramelized onions can be made a few days ahead and refrigerated, helping to streamline preparation. Using an oven-safe skillet or transferring into a baking dish allows for layered cooking from stovetop to oven with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp butter
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 4-5 large yellow onion peeled, sliced in half then cut into thin half moon shapes, or white onion
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 prigs thyme or 1/2 tsp dried, fresh
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar (or red wine or sherry)
- 2/3 cup beef broth divided, reduced sodium
- 4 chicken breast boneless skinless
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp thyme dried
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese or gruyere, shredded
- 1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese shredded, fresh is best
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over MED/MED-HIGH heat. Add butter and olive oil and sliced onions. Season with 1/4 tsp pepper. Add thyme sprigs and cook 8 minutes, stirring very occasionally.
- While onions are cooking, preheat oven to 400 F degrees and butter a 9x13" baking dish. Set aside.
- After 8 minutes, reduce the heat on the pan of onions down to MED/MED-LOW, and cook another 15 minutes or so, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in garlic, cook 1 minute. Stir in balsamic vinegar and 1/3 cup of the beef broth. Stir and cook another minute or so, until onion mixture is thick and jam-like in consistency.
- Add about a 1/2 cup of the caramelized onions to the prepared baking dish and add the remaining 1/3 cup beef broth to the dish. Stir.
- Season chicken breasts on both sides with salt, black pepper, dried thyme and garlic powder. Arrange chicken in prepared baking dish and top each breast with a generous spoonful of caramelized onions.
- Top chicken and onions with mozzarella and parmesan.
- Bake 25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 F degrees.
Notes
- An oven-safe skillet such as cast iron works well for cooking and baking in one pan.
- Caramelized onions can be prepared 1 to 3 days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container.
- For easier preparation, complete the onion caramelization first, reserving half before adding broth and chicken.
- Baking directly in the skillet after adding broth and chicken streamlines the process.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 544 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 544kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 60g | 120% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Cholesterol | 195mg | 65% |
| Sodium | 1019mg | 42% |
| Potassium | 1175mg | 25% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 612IU | 12% |
| Vitamin C | 15mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 292mg | 29% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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