Description
This French Onion Chicken Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts topped with caramelized onions, savory beef broth, and melted Swiss cheese. Easy to prepare and perfect for a hearty family meal, it’s inspired by the classic French onion flavors in a convenient baked casserole format.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (Approximately 1.5 lbs.)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Onion Mixture
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Pinch of salt (for sautéing onions)
Topping
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese (Can substitute with Gruyère or mozzarella)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the chicken.
- Caramelize Onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Sauté the onions, stirring occasionally, until they become golden brown and caramelized, which takes about 10-15 minutes.
- Season Chicken: While the onions cook, season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme for flavorful seasoning.
- Sear Chicken: Once onions are caramelized, remove them from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add the seasoned chicken breasts and sear each side for 3-4 minutes until browned, creating a flavorful crust.
- Combine Ingredients in Baking Dish: Transfer the seared chicken breasts to a baking dish. Add the caramelized onions, pour in the beef broth, and add Worcestershire sauce. Mix gently to coat the chicken evenly with the flavorful broth and onion mixture.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to keep moisture in and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook through and absorb flavors.
- Add Cheese and Bake Uncovered: After 20 minutes, remove the foil. Sprinkle the shredded Swiss cheese evenly over the chicken breasts. Return the dish to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving for a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
- For a vegetarian adaptation, substitute chicken breasts with thick portobello mushroom caps and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- Gruyère cheese can be used instead of Swiss for a richer flavor, or mozzarella for a milder taste.
- Ensure onions are fully caramelized for maximum sweetness and depth of flavor.
- You can prepare the caramelized onions ahead of time to save cooking time on the day of serving.
- If you prefer less sodium, use low-sodium beef broth and reduce added salt accordingly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking and Sautéing
- Cuisine: French-American Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with toppings
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: French onion chicken bake, baked chicken breast, caramelized onions recipe, cheesy chicken bake, easy chicken dinner
