Description
Savory French onion chicken bake combines classic French flavors with comforting casserole techniques. Caramelized onions, melted gruyère, and tender chicken create a delicious one-pan meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 chicken breasts (4 oz each, raw)
- 1 can (10 oz) french onion soup (Campbell’s)
- 1/2 cup reduced-fat mozzarella cheese (Market Pantry)
- 1 yellow onion (small, peeled and thinly sliced)
- 2 tbsps light butter (made with canola oil, Land o’ Lakes)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, creating an ideal environment for the chicken to bake perfectly.
- Melt light butter in a skillet over medium heat, gently caramelizing the onions until they turn translucent and develop a golden hue. Remove and set aside.
- Season chicken breasts with paprika, garlic powder, and salt, ensuring even coverage of the spices.
- Increase skillet heat to medium-high, lightly spray with cooking spray, and sear chicken breasts for approximately 5 minutes on each side until a rich brown color develops.
- Reintroduce the sautéed onions to the skillet with the browned chicken.
- Pour French onion soup over the chicken and onions, allowing the mixture to simmer and reduce for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken completely.
- If using a cast-iron skillet, sprinkle mozzarella cheese directly over the chicken. Otherwise, transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, watching for the cheese to melt and the sauce to bubble, indicating the dish is thoroughly heated and ready to serve.
Notes
- Slowly cook onions on medium-low heat to develop deep, rich flavor without burning, creating a sweet and complex taste profile.
- Use freshly grated mozzarella for optimal melting and better coverage, ensuring a creamy and smooth cheese layer on top of the chicken.
- Replace French onion soup with low-sodium chicken broth and add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for depth, making the dish keto-friendly and reducing overall carbohydrate content.
- Experiment with dried thyme or rosemary to add an extra layer of aromatic complexity to the chicken’s flavor profile, complementing the rich onion sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg