If you love the comfort of a one-pan meal and the flavors of classic French onion soup, you’re going to fall head over heels for French Onion Chicken & Rice. This cozy dish fuses juicy seared chicken breasts, buttery caramelized onions, nutty Gruyère, and fluffy rice into a bubbling, golden casserole that will steal the show at any table. It’s weeknight magic that feels utterly special—just the thing to gather everyone around with big appetites and warm smiles.

Ingredients You’ll Need

French Onion Chicken & Rice Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredient list for French Onion Chicken & Rice is comfort food at its finest—simple, wholesome, and carefully chosen, each playing an important role. From the mild sweetness of onions to the savory chicken broth and that irresistible layer of melty cheese, here’s everything you’ll need to make this crowd-pleasing dish a reality.

Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts turn out juicy and tender when nestled atop the rice and onions.
Long-Grain White Rice: This type Main Course.
Unsalted Butter: Butter gives the onions rich depth and helps everything brown beautifully.
Olive Oil: Used alongside butter, olive oil keeps the onions from burning and adds a subtle fruitiness.
Yellow Onions: The star of the show! Sliced thin, they caramelize into a sweet, golden foundation for all the flavors.
Garlic Cloves: Just a couple of cloves deepen the savoriness, blooming alongside the caramelized onions.
Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: Rich, savory broth perfectly cooks the rice and brings all the flavors together.
Gruyère Cheese (or Swiss): Melts into a blanket of gooey, nutty goodness—feel free to use Swiss, mozzarella, or provolone for a twist.
Fresh Thyme (or Dried): Adds an aromatic, herbaceous note that perfectly balances the sweetness of the onions and richness of the cheese.
Salt and Black Pepper: Season the dish to taste and let all the other flavors shine.
Chopped Fresh Parsley: A final sprinkle for color and freshness right before serving.

How to Make French Onion Chicken & Rice

Step 1: Caramelize the Onions

It all starts with beautifully caramelized onions. Melt butter with olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced yellow onions and a pinch of salt, stirring occasionally. This process takes patience—about 15 to 20 minutes—but is absolutely worth it! The onions will soften, slowly deepen in color, and fill your kitchen with a mouthwatering aroma. The golden color signals they’re ready to bring sweet depth to every bite of French Onion Chicken & Rice.

Step 2: Add Garlic and Sear the Chicken

Once the onions are caramelized, stir in minced garlic and cook for just a minute, letting it bloom without burning. Next, push the onions to the edges of your skillet and season the chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, and thyme. Lay the chicken in the pan and sear for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, just enough to get some color. The goal is not fully cooked chicken here—just a pan-seared golden crust that amps up the flavor.

Step 3: Build the Rice Base

Set the chicken aside for a moment while you focus on the rice. Stir the uncooked long-grain white rice into the caramelized onion and garlic mixture, coating every grain in those sweet, savory juices. Pour in the chicken broth and give it a quick stir, making sure the rice is evenly arranged in the pan. Bring everything up to a gentle simmer—this is the base that will transform into perfectly seasoned, tender rice.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Now, nestle the browned chicken breasts atop the rice and onion mixture. Sprinkle Gruyère cheese evenly over the entire skillet. Cover tightly with a lid or foil and transfer the pan to your preheated 375°F (190°C) oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes; the chicken will finish cooking, the rice will turn tender, and everything will meld together into glorious French Onion Chicken & Rice goodness.

Step 5: Broil for Extra Cheese

For that show-stopping, golden cheese topping, remove the lid or foil and place the skillet under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes. Keep an eye on it! In just moments, the cheese bubbles and browns, finishing your French Onion Chicken & Rice with crave-worthy appeal.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Once out of the oven, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for a bright pop of color and a hint of herbal freshness. Let the dish rest a few minutes before serving, then spoon out generous portions of chicken, rice, and those luscious caramelized onions for everyone to enjoy.

How to Serve French Onion Chicken & Rice

Garnishes

A dish this comforting and rich loves a little flourish to finish. Bright, freshly chopped parsley is classic, but you can also add a few extra thyme leaves or a dusting of cracked black pepper for flair. The fresh herbs cut through all that cheese and sweet onion, making every bite sing.

Side Dishes

French Onion Chicken & Rice is hearty and satisfying all on its own, but if you’d like to round out the meal, serve it with a crisp green salad or some warm, crusty bread. The fresh greens keep things light, and the bread is perfect for soaking up any extra cheesy, oniony goodness in your bowl.

Creative Ways to Present

Looking to impress? Try portioning the French Onion Chicken & Rice into individual ramekins for a dinner party, or spoon it into shallow bowls and finish with a table-side sprinkle of cheese. You can even top each serving with a toasted baguette slice for the full French onion soup experience!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let your French Onion Chicken & Rice cool before transferring leftovers into airtight containers. It will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, making it a delicious, no-fuss lunch or dinner option midweek. The flavors deepen overnight, so don’t hesitate to sneak a second helping!

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully. For best results, portion the cooled French Onion Chicken & Rice into freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating—just note the rice may be a bit softer after thawing, but all those cozy flavors remain.

Reheating

To reheat, warm leftovers gently in the oven at 325°F, covered, until heated through (about 20 minutes). You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave in 1-minute bursts, stirring gently between each interval. If the rice seems dry, splash in a tablespoon or two of extra broth before reheating to keep everything moist and luscious.

FAQs

Can I make French Onion Chicken & Rice with chicken thighs?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work perfectly in this dish. They’ll be extra juicy and flavorful, just extend the baking time by a few minutes if needed to ensure they’re cooked through.

What other cheeses can I use besides Gruyère?

If Gruyère isn’t your thing, Swiss cheese is a great classic swap. Mozzarella, provolone, or even a mild cheddar will also give you that melty, cheesy finish—don’t be afraid to mix things up to suit your taste!

How can I make this dish gluten-free?

French Onion Chicken & Rice is naturally gluten-free as long as your chicken broth doesn’t contain any wheat-based additives. Always check the labels if gluten is a concern.

Can I prep any steps in advance for this recipe?

Yes! You can caramelize the onions and sear the chicken ahead of time, then assemble everything up to a day in advance. Store the skillet in the fridge and bake when ready—super convenient for busy evenings.

Is there a vegetarian version of French Onion Chicken & Rice?

For a vegetarian spin, swap chicken breasts for thick-cut mushrooms or even cauliflower steaks. Use vegetable broth and double up on those glorious caramelized onions for a comforting, meatless meal.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving something warm and soul-satisfying, French Onion Chicken & Rice is truly a must-try. It’s simple, elegant, and packed with flavor—the sort of dish that instantly turns an ordinary night into something memorable. I hope you give it a go and share it with someone you love.

French Onion Chicken & Rice Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This French Onion Chicken & Rice recipe combines tender chicken breasts with caramelized onions, gooey Gruyère cheese, and fragrant thyme for a comforting and flavorful one-skillet meal that is sure to please the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Rice:

1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked

Onion Mixture:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced

Others:

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese (or Swiss)
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Sauté Onions: In a large oven-safe skillet, melt butter and olive oil. Cook sliced onions until caramelized, about 15-20 minutes. Add minced garlic.
Sear Chicken: Season chicken with salt, pepper, and thyme. Sear chicken in the skillet for 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
Add Rice and Broth: Stir in uncooked rice, then pour in chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
Bake: Place seared chicken on top of the rice mixture. Sprinkle cheese over the top. Cover and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Broil: Remove cover and broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese is golden. Garnish with parsley and serve.