Description
This French Onion Chicken Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts topped with caramelized onions and melted Gruyère and mozzarella cheese. The rich onion sauce is enhanced with balsamic vinegar and herbs, creating a perfect weeknight dinner that pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Cheese
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese (or Swiss cheese)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Onion Mixture
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)
Garnish
- Fresh thyme or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) ensuring it’s ready for baking once your skillet is prepared.
- Caramelize the onions: In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, for about 20 to 25 minutes until they become soft and caramelized with a rich golden-brown color.
- Season the onions: Stir in the balsamic vinegar, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme to flavor the caramelized onions. If you prefer a thicker sauce, sprinkle the optional flour over the onions and stir well to combine.
- Add beef broth: Pour in the low-sodium beef broth and allow the mixture to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, which will meld the flavors and slightly thicken the sauce.
- Prepare the chicken: Nestle the chicken breasts directly into the onion mixture in the skillet, spooning some of the onions over the chicken to coat them evenly.
- Bake with foil: Cover the skillet tightly with aluminum foil and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 25 minutes to cook the chicken through gently.
- Add cheese and finish baking: Remove the foil and evenly sprinkle the shredded Gruyère and mozzarella cheese over the chicken breasts. Return the skillet to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden, and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Garnish and serve: Once baked, garnish with fresh thyme or parsley for an herbaceous finish and serve warm, ideally with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Notes
- Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
- You can substitute Gruyère with provolone or Swiss cheese if preferred.
- For a gluten-free option, omit the flour or use a gluten-free flour alternative.
- Use an oven-safe skillet to facilitate cooking both on stovetop and in oven.
