Description
French onion chicken and rice brings together caramelized onions, tender chicken, and creamy rice so your dinner table feels a little more special without demanding hours in the kitchen. The deep, savory flavors from slow-cooked onions mingle with broth to create something comforting that your family keeps asking you to make again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 cups cooked rice
Aromatics and seasonings:
- 2 large onions, sliced
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- salt and pepper to taste
Liquids and dairy:
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat for about 1 minute until it shimmers.
- Add your 2 large sliced onions to the hot oil and let them cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they turn deep golden brown and caramelize.
- While your onions are caramelizing, sprinkle salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of thyme over your 4 chicken breasts.
- Push the caramelized onions to the sides of the skillet and place your seasoned chicken breasts in the center, cooking at medium heat for 6-7 minutes on each side until they develop a nice brown crust.
- Pour your 2 cups of beef broth into the skillet around the chicken, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cover with a lid.
- Let everything simmer covered for 20 minutes at medium-low heat until your chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Stir in your 2 cups of cooked rice, distributing it evenly throughout the skillet with the chicken and broth.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over the top of your mixture, then cover the skillet and let it sit for 5 minutes over medium-low heat until the cheese melts completely.
Notes
- Caramelizing your onions takes patience—give them at least 15-20 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally, so they develop that deep golden color and sweet flavor that makes this dish special.
- Brown your chicken properly on both sides before adding the broth, which creates a flavorful crust and helps seal in the juices so the meat stays tender.
- Stir your rice in gently at the end to avoid breaking up the chicken, and use a cheese that melts smoothly like Gruyère or Swiss for the best texture.
- If you’re cooking for a gluten-free diet, just check that your beef broth doesn’t contain any hidden gluten, and the rest of the recipe works perfectly as written.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Simmered Chicken
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg