Description
Hearty French onion chicken rice blends classic French comfort with rustic home cooking. Golden caramelized onions and tender chicken create a rich, savory dish you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken thighs or breasts, boneless, skinless
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsps (28 g) butter
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice or basmati
- 2 cups (480 ml) beef broth or chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
- 1 packet (28 g) dry onion soup mix
- 1 tsp fresh thyme or 0.5 tsp dried thyme
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere or mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Chicken Seasoning: Generously coat chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme for robust flavor infusion.
- Chicken Searing: Warm olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Elegantly sear chicken until golden and crisp on both sides, then transfer to a plate.
- Onion Transformation: In the same skillet, melt butter and gradually caramelize onions, stirring occasionally until they reach a rich, amber-brown color with deep, sweet undertones.
- Rice Integration: Introduce uncooked rice, toasting briefly to enhance nutty notes. Pour beef broth, water, dry onion soup mix, and thyme, blending ingredients thoroughly to create a harmonious base.
- Skillet Assembly: Gently reposition seared chicken into the rice-onion mixture, ensuring even distribution. Securely cover with a tight-fitting lid or aluminum foil.
- Oven Preparation: Heat oven to 375F (190C). Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, allowing rice to become tender and chicken to reach a safe internal temperature of 165F.
- Cheese Finale: Uncover the skillet, lavishly sprinkle shredded cheese across the surface. Broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts into a golden, bubbling crust.
Notes
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure crispy, golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming during searing.
- Use low to medium heat when cooking onions, stirring occasionally to develop deep, sweet flavor without burning.
- Use precise liquid measurements to achieve fluffy rice texture; avoid lifting lid during baking to maintain consistent steam and cooking environment.
- Watch closely during broiling to prevent burning; remove from oven when cheese is golden and bubbling for perfect gratinée finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg