Description
This French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole is rich, cozy, and packed with savory flavor — tender chicken, caramelized onions, and creamy orzo baked together and finished with melty Gruyère cheese. A comforting one-pan dinner perfect for busy weeknights or special family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Caramelize onions: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deep golden and caramelized.
- Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook chicken: Add diced chicken, salt, pepper, and thyme. Cook until chicken is lightly browned.
- Assemble: Stir in orzo, chicken broth, heavy cream, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish and cover tightly with foil.
- Bake: Bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil, stir, and sprinkle cheeses evenly on top.
- Return to oven uncovered and bake an additional 10–15 minutes, until orzo is tender and cheese is bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
For extra French onion flavor, add a splash of beef broth in place of some chicken broth. Leftovers reheat well and thicken slightly as they sit.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: french onion chicken, orzo casserole, chicken orzo bake, comfort food dinner