Description
Hearty French Onion Chicken Rice melds classic French comfort with modern comfort food. Caramelized onions, tender chicken, and creamy rice create a soulful one-pan meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (680 grams)
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 tablespoons butter (28 grams)
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere or mozzarella cheese (100 grams)
Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (or basmati) (200 grams)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 packet (1 ounce) dry onion soup mix (28 grams)
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme)
Liquids and Produce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (15 milliliters)
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cups beef broth (or chicken broth) (480 milliliters)
- 1 cup water (240 milliliters)
Instructions
- Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with a blend of aromatic seasonings, ensuring each surface is evenly covered with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious oven-compatible skillet over medium flame. Carefully place chicken portions, allowing them to develop a rich golden crust by searing approximately 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer seared chicken to a holding plate.
- Within the same skillet, introduce butter and thinly sliced onions. Gently manipulate the onions over medium heat, coaxing them into a deep caramel-colored transformation through patient stirring, approximately 10-15 minutes.
- Introduce uncooked rice directly into the caramelized onion landscape, permitting a brief toasting period. Pour beef broth, water, dry onion soup mix, and additional thyme, thoroughly integrating all elements.
- Strategically nestle previously seared chicken pieces into the rice and onion mixture, creating a harmonious culinary composition. Securely blanket the skillet with a tight-fitting lid or aluminum foil.
- Heat oven to 375F (190C). Slide the covered skillet into the oven, allowing the ingredients to meld and cook for 25-30 minutes. Verify chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165F and rice achieves tender perfection.
- Reveal the skillet, generously distribute shredded cheese across the surface. Transfer to broiler, monitoring closely as cheese melts into a bubbling, golden blanket lasting 2-3 minutes.
Notes
- Perfectly caramelize onions by using a wide skillet and stirring occasionally to prevent burning, ensuring deep golden color and rich flavor development.
- Choose long-grain white rice for optimal texture, as it absorbs liquid evenly and prevents mushy or sticky rice during the baking process.
- Customize protein options by substituting chicken with boneless pork chops or turkey breasts while maintaining similar seasoning and cooking techniques.
- Make the dish gluten-free by replacing beef broth with gluten-free chicken stock and using a gluten-free onion soup mix to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg