Description
This French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole combines the savory flavors of French onion soup with creamy orzo pasta and tender shredded chicken in a cheesy, comforting bake perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
- 1½ cups uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 2½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1½ cups shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and sugar, cooking for 20–25 minutes until deeply caramelized, stirring frequently.
- Add garlic and thyme, cooking for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Deglaze the pan with white wine, simmering for 3–4 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine onion mixture, uncooked orzo, shredded chicken, chicken broth, heavy cream, half of the Gruyère and mozzarella, and all of the Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with remaining Gruyère and mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let sit for 5–10 minutes before garnishing with fresh parsley and serving.
Notes
- Swap Gruyère with Swiss or Fontina for a milder or nutty flavor.
- Add sautéed mushrooms for an earthy twist.
- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Make ahead and refrigerate before baking to save time.
- Add a splash of broth or cream when reheating to maintain creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
