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A close-up shot of the creamy chicken orzo bake, highlighting the texture of the caramelized onions and pasta.

French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole (The Ultimate Comfort Meal)

Discover the ultimate comfort food with our French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole. This one-pan recipe combines tender chicken, orzo, and sweet caramelized onions in a savory broth, all topped with bubbly Gruyère cheese. A gourmet meal made easy!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, French
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter
  • 3 Large Yellow Onions thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1.5 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Salt and Black Pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup Dry White Wine like Sauvignon Blanc, optional
  • 4 cups Beef Broth low-sodium
  • 2 sprigs Fresh Thyme
  • 1.5 cups Orzo Pasta uncooked
  • 1/4 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1.5 cups Gruyère Cheese shredded

Equipment

  • 1 Large Oven-Safe Skillet or Dutch Oven
  • 1 Cheese Grater

Method
 

  1. In a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat, melt butter and olive oil. Add sliced onions and cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden and sweet. Stir in minced garlic during the final minute.
  2. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Push onions to one side, add chicken to the skillet, and sear over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until golden. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Deglaze the skillet with white wine, scraping the bottom. Let it simmer for one minute. Stir in beef broth and fresh thyme, bringing to a gentle simmer.
  4. Stir in uncooked orzo and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring often, until al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  5. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Remove thyme sprigs. Stir in the seared chicken and heavy cream. Season to taste. Top with shredded Gruyère cheese.
  6. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

For the best flavor, caramelize the onions slowly; do not rush this process.
Shred your own Gruyère cheese for a smoother, creamier melt.
If you don't have an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer the mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish before topping with cheese and baking.