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–+ servings
French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole

Delicious French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole for Cozy Nights

A comforting and flavorful French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole perfect for cozy family dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: French
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Casserole
  • 1 pound boneless chicken thighs provides the best flavor and moisture
  • 2 medium yellow onions sweet varieties for caramelization
  • 1 cup orzo pasta main starch, no substitutes recommended
  • 2 cups beef broth for a traditional flavor; use vegetable broth for vegetarian
  • 1 cup Gruyère cheese can substitute with Swiss or mozzarella
  • 2 tablespoons butter for caramelizing onions
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for caramelizing onions
  • 2 cloves garlic minced for aroma
  • 1 cup heavy cream essential for richness; half-and-half can be used
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme balances sweetness of onions
  • to taste salt for seasoning
  • to taste black pepper for seasoning

Equipment

  • Dutch oven
  • skillet
  • Oven
  • baking dish

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. Caramelize Onions: Heat butter and olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions and cook for 30-40 minutes until golden brown, stirring frequently. Incorporate minced garlic for the last minute of cooking.
  2. Cook Chicken: Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper. In a separate skillet, brown the chicken until golden on both sides.
  3. Combine Ingredients: Deglaze the onion mixture with beef broth, stirring in the orzo, heavy cream, thyme, and browned chicken. Simmer for 5-7 minutes.
  4. Load Cheese and Bake: Stir half of the Gruyère cheese into the mixture. Top with remaining cheese and bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes.
  5. Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with thyme or parsley.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 15mg

Notes

Serve with a simple green salad or warm crusty bread for a complete meal.

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