4.9 from 151 votes
Skillet Onion Chicken Recipe
Skillet Onion Chicken combines caramelized onions with seasoned bone-in, skinless chicken thighs cooked in a cast iron skillet. The onions are cooked slowly to a deep golden brown, releasing natural sweetness, while the chicken sears to a golden crust and finishes cooking with a splash of broth to keep it moist.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Servings:
8
Pieces
Calories:
1886 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
Mediterranean, Egyptian
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 onion sliced ½” thick or so, large
- 8 chicken thighs bone-in, skin removed, skinless
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Cook the onions. Heat about 2 to 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large cast iron skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions and season well with kosher salt. Sauté the onions, stirring often until they collapse and release their juices turning a beautiful deep golden brown in color, about 10 to 15 minutes (cover the pan to speed up the cooking time, if you like). Manage the heat to make sure the onions soften and caramelize without burning.
- In the meantime, season the chicken on both sides with kosher salt.
- Once the onions are nicely caramelized, push them to the edges of the pan. Add the chicken (meaty side down first) to the pan and sear on both sides until golden brown. Do not cover the pan this time. (If the onions are in the way, you can move them around and add them on top of the chicken so that there is enough room in the pan for the chicken to brown well).
- Once the chicken is nicely browned, add in the broth or water (you should have some juices in the pan from the chicken and the onions. Start with 1/4 cup of liquid and add more if needed to form a sauce).
- Turn the heat to medium-low and cover the pan. Cook for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and a meat thermometer inserted in the center of the chicken reads 165 degrees F. Serve over rice or with pita bread (the bread with the onion sauce is delish!)
Cup of Yum
Notes
- To caramelize onions well, cook them slowly until deeply golden without rushing; covering the pan helps soften them.
- You can use boneless chicken thighs by adding more liquid and reducing cooking time to about 12 minutes.
- For boneless chicken breasts, slice thinly and add 1/2 to 3/4 cup broth; cook until internal temperature reaches 160°F then rest before serving.
- This recipe is traditionally seasoned simply with kosher salt but can be enhanced with Baharat spice blend.
Nutrition Information
Calories
188.6kcal
(9%)
Carbohydrates
5.2g
(2%)
Protein
22.5g
(45%)
Fat
8.2g
(13%)
Saturated Fat
1.7g
(9%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1.4g
(8%)
Monounsaturated Fat
4.2g
(21%)
Trans Fat
0.1g
(5%)
Cholesterol
107.3mg
(36%)
Sodium
105.1mg
(4%)
Potassium
363.5mg
(8%)
Fiber
0.9g
(4%)
Sugar
2.3g
(5%)
Vitamin A
28.2IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
4.1mg
(5%)
Calcium
23.2mg
(2%)
Iron
1.1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 Pieces
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1886
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 188.6kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 5.2g | 2% |
| Protein | 22.5g | 45% |
| Fat | 8.2g | 13% |
| Saturated Fat | 1.7g | 9% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.4g | 8% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4.2g | 21% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 107.3mg | 36% |
| Sodium | 105.1mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 363.5mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 0.9g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2.3g | 5% |
| Vitamin A | 28.2IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 4.1mg | 5% |
| Calcium | 23.2mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1.1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.