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French onion chicken and rice casserole baked with cheese, caramelized onions, and fresh thyme | kaynmaytkal.com

French Onion Chicken and Rice Skillet

  • Author: Chef Kaya
  • Total Time: 85 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4–6 1x
  • Diet: Halal

Description

This one-pot French Onion Chicken and Rice Skillet combines the soul-warming flavor of caramelized onions with juicy chicken, fluffy rice, and a bubbling Gruyère cheese topping. It’s a comforting and elegant twist on a classic French soup, perfect for cozy dinners with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 lbs yellow onions (about 3–4 large), thinly sliced
  • 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice (uncooked)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4–5 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
  • 3 ½ cups high-quality chicken broth
  • 1 ½ cups shredded Gruyère cheese
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (1 tbsp for onions, 1 tbsp for searing chicken)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Sear Chicken: Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.
  2. Caramelize Onions: In the same skillet, melt butter with 1 tbsp olive oil. Add sliced onions and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce to medium-low and continue to cook for 20–30 minutes until deep amber brown, stirring every 5–7 minutes.
  3. Add Aromatics and Rice: Stir in garlic and thyme, cook 1 minute. Add rice, stir 1–2 minutes to toast.
  4. Simmer and Cook: Pour in broth, stir, and bring to a simmer. Nestle in chicken with juices. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook 20–25 minutes until rice is tender. Let rest, covered, for 10 minutes.
  5. Add Cheese and Broil: Preheat broiler. Discard thyme stems, top with cheese. Broil 2–4 minutes until bubbly and golden. Garnish and serve.

Notes

 For added umami, stir 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar with the garlic, or add 1 tsp soy sauce or Worcestershire to the broth.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 70 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Skillet, Broil
  • Cuisine: French-Inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 portion (1/6th of recipe)
  • Calories: 530
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 620 mg
  • Fat: 23 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg

Keywords: French onion chicken, one-pot meal, chicken and rice, caramelized onion skillet

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