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Creamy French Onion Chicken Orzo Bake

Creamy French Onion Chicken Orzo Bake - featured image
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A comforting and creamy chicken bake featuring caramelized onions, tender chicken breasts, and orzo pasta in a luscious sauce, perfect for cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450 g)
  • 1 cup orzo pasta (about 170 g)
  • 3 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cups low sodium chicken broth (720 ml)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese (about 100 g)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 50 g)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: ½ cup white wine (120 ml) to deglaze the pan

Instructions

  1. Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes until onions are deep golden brown and sweet. Lower heat and add a splash of water if onions start to stick or burn.
  2. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and thyme. In a separate pan over medium-high heat, sear chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden but not fully cooked. Remove and let rest.
  3. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Cook orzo for 6-7 minutes until just shy of al dente. Drain and set aside.
  4. Add minced garlic to the caramelized onions and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. If using, pour in white wine to deglaze and reduce for 2-3 minutes. Lower heat to medium-low and stir in chicken broth, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and thyme. Simmer gently for 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a baking dish, mix the partially cooked orzo with the creamy onion sauce. Nestle seared chicken breasts on top. Sprinkle shredded Gruyère and Parmesan evenly over everything.
  6. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden, chicken is fully cooked (internal temp 165°F / 74°C), and orzo is tender. Cover loosely with foil if top browns too fast.
  7. Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra thyme or freshly cracked black pepper if desired.

Notes

Caramelize onions slowly over low heat for best flavor. Partially cook orzo before baking to avoid mushy texture. Let bake rest before serving to thicken sauce. For a crispier top, broil for 2 minutes at the end. Can substitute chicken thighs for breasts, and adapt for dairy-free or gluten-free diets by swapping ingredients.

Nutrition

Keywords: French onion chicken, orzo bake, creamy chicken casserole, caramelized onions, cozy dinner, easy weeknight meal

Find it online: https://larameals.com/creamy-french-onion-chicken-orzo-bake-recipe-for-easy-cozy-dinners/