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French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole: The Ultimate Comfort Bake

A close-up of a hearty slice of french onion chicken orzo casserole with a golden, bubbly cheese topping.
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This recipe combines the deep, savory flavors of French Onion Soup with tender chicken and orzo pasta into a rich, cheesy baked casserole perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups chicken broth (or 3 cups chicken broth and 1 cup beef broth for deeper flavor)
  • 1 cup dry orzo pasta
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes until deeply caramelized and brown. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Remove onions from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Season the chicken pieces with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Sprinkle the chicken lightly with flour and toss to coat.
  4. Return the skillet to medium heat. Add the floured chicken and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth (and beef broth, if using) and bring to a simmer. Stir in the orzo pasta, heavy cream, dried thyme, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook, stirring frequently, until the orzo begins to soften, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  6. Stir the caramelized onions back into the skillet mixture. Remove the skillet from the heat.
  7. Stir in 3/4 cup of the Gruyère cheese and all of the Swiss cheese until melted and combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  8. Top the casserole evenly with the remaining 1/4 cup Gruyère cheese. Dot the top with the small pieces of butter.
  9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese topping is golden brown and slightly crisp. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For make-ahead preparation, assemble the casserole completely through Step 6, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.
  • If you do not have Gruyère, use all Swiss cheese or substitute with Provolone for a similar melt and flavor.
  • Serve this hearty French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole with a simple side salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://juliameal.com/french-onion-chicken-orzo-casserole/