Description
This Masterclass French Onion Chicken Bake combines juicy seared chicken breasts with deeply caramelized onions, rich beef gravy, and bubbling Gruyère cheese for a comforting French-inspired dinner that’s packed with savory flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large yellow or sweet onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 120ml low-sodium beef stock or broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded evenly
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 150g shredded Gruyère, Swiss, or Provolone cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
- Melt the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add the sliced onions and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until deeply caramelized.
- Stir in the garlic and thyme during the final 2 minutes.
- Add the beef stock and Worcestershire sauce.
- Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes while scraping up any browned bits until a rich onion gravy forms.
- Transfer the onion mixture to a bowl and wipe the skillet clean.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Heat a small drizzle of olive oil in the skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the chicken for about 3 minutes per side until lightly golden.
- Arrange the chicken in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Spoon the caramelized onion gravy evenly over each chicken breast.
- Cover generously with the shredded Gruyère cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve immediately with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
Take your time caramelizing the onions, as this develops the signature sweet, rich flavor of the dish. Gruyère provides the most authentic French onion flavor, but Swiss or Provolone make excellent substitutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 53g
- Cholesterol: 155mg