Description
A delicious French Onion Chicken Bake featuring tender boneless chicken breasts topped with sweet caramelized onions, fragrant thyme, and melted Gruyère cheese, baked to perfection for an easy and flavorful weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Caramelized Onions
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 cup low sodium beef broth
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect baking temperature while you prepare the chicken and onions.
- Caramelize onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the thinly sliced onions and sauté, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and deeply caramelized, about 20-25 minutes. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and thyme, cooking for another 2 minutes before removing from heat.
- Season chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to enhance their flavor.
- Assemble in baking dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and arrange the seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer. Evenly distribute the caramelized onions over each piece of chicken.
- Add broth and cheese: Pour the beef broth carefully around the chicken breasts (avoiding pouring it over the topping) to keep the chicken moist during baking. Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese evenly over each chicken breast.
- Bake: Place the baking dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and garnish: Remove the dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired before serving to add a fresh herbal note.
Notes
- Gruyère cheese provides the classic French onion flavor, but Swiss or provolone work well as alternatives.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful beef broth.
- Chicken thighs can be substituted for breasts for a juicier, more flavorful result.
- Be patient while caramelizing the onions to develop the best sweetness and depth of flavor.
