Go Back
–+ servings
A spoonful of the cheesy chicken orzo bake being lifted from the casserole dish, showing the creamy texture.
FL Recipes

French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole (The Ultimate Comfort Food!)

This French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole transforms the rich, savory flavors of the classic soup into a hearty, one-pan meal with tender chicken, orzo pasta, and a bubbly Gruyère cheese topping.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, French
Calories: 580
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Casserole
  • 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 3 large Yellow Onions thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1.5 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tsp Kosher Salt
  • 0.5 tsp Black Pepper
  • 0.25 cup Dry White Wine such as Sauvignon Blanc (optional)
  • 4 cups Beef Broth low sodium
  • 2 sprigs Fresh Thyme
  • 1.5 cups Orzo Pasta uncooked
  • 2 cups Toasted Baguette Cubes
  • 1.5 cups Gruyère Cheese shredded

Equipment

  • 1 Large Oven-Safe Skillet or Dutch Oven
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Chef's Knife
Share with WhatsApp

Method
 

  1. In a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-low heat, melt butter with olive oil. Add sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 30-40 minutes, until deeply golden brown and sweet. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant. Remove onions from skillet and set aside.
  2. Increase heat to medium-high. Season chicken cubes with salt and pepper. Add chicken to the skillet and sear until golden on all sides. Remove from skillet.
  3. Deglaze the skillet with white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Let it bubble for 1 minute. Stir in the beef broth and fresh thyme, bringing the mixture to a simmer.
  4. Stir the uncooked orzo into the broth. Return the seared chicken and caramelized onions to the skillet. Stir, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, until orzo is al dente.
  5. Preheat your broiler. Remove thyme sprigs from the skillet. Top the casserole evenly with toasted baguette cubes and shredded Gruyère cheese. Broil for 2-4 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 580kcalProtein: 42gFat: 25gFiber: 4g

Notes

Tip 1: For the best flavor, use a combination of chicken breasts and thighs.
Tip 2: Don't skip deglazing the pan! The browned bits (fond) on the bottom hold a ton of flavor.
Tip 3: Watch the casserole closely under the broiler as it can go from golden to burnt very quickly.
Keyword chicken orzo casserole,french onion chicken,one pan dinner

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!