French Onion Chicken

Name: French Onion Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (4 total); 4 tablespoons butter, divided; 2 medium onions, thinly sliced; ½ cup cooking sherry (I use this brand); 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme, plus extra for garnish; 1 teaspoon sea salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1 cup beef or chicken broth; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/2 cup shredded gruyere cheese

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This French Onion Chicken Recipe is a quick and easy one pot meal. Pan-seared chicken, simmered in a rich and flavorful pan sauce, made with caramelized onions, sherry, and fresh herbs. Topped with melty mozzarella and Gruyere cheeses, garnished with fresh thyme, and served alongside creamy whipped mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli. This easy chicken recipe is sure to be a family favorite.

An enameled cast iron skillet with cooked chicken breasts, topped with a caramelized onion pan sauce and melty cheese.

Table of Contents show

Ingredients in French Onion Chicken

Ingredients laid out in individual bowls to make French Onion Chicken - chicken, onions, cheese, thyme, beef stock, garlic, and butter.

Ingredient Notes

Chicken: This French Onion Chicken can be made with boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs. Pork can also be used as a delicious alternative. (More Easy Chicken Recipes)
Onion: I like to use white onions or sweet onions. The magic in this dish is in the caramelized onions. True caramelization can take about 30 minutes. Don't skimp on this step; it is worth it.
Worcestershire sauce: Substitute with soy sauce or coconut aminos if desired. Adjust salt levels accordingly.
Garlic: Fresh garlic is best, but you can use jarred minced garlic, garlic powder, or dried minced garlic as alternatives.
Thyme: Fresh thyme is recommended, but dried thyme works too. Use 1 teaspoon dried thyme for 1 tablespoon fresh thyme.
Beef stock: Beef or chicken stock can be used interchangeably in the recipe.
Cheese: Mozzarella and Gruyere are used in this recipe, but feel free to use your preferred cheese like Swiss, gouda, cheddar, or provolone.

How to make the Best French Onion Chicken

Step by step directions for how to make a one pot French onion chicken recipe.

Step By Step Instructions

Lightly season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the onions and garlic, and cook until the onions are caramelized, which usually takes around 30 minutes. Set the caramelized onions aside.
Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet and pan-sear the chicken on both sides until they turn a deep golden brown.
Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside. Note that the chicken will not be fully cooked at this stage. Deglaze the pan by adding the stock. Use a rubber spatula to scrape up any remaining bits of chicken stuck to the bottom of the pan. Stir and mix them into the liquid. Let the mixture simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.

5: Reduce the heat to medium-low to low, add the cooking sherry, garlic, Worcestershire, thyme, salt and pepper. Let simmer for 6 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced by half and thickened slightly.

6: Add caramelized onions back to the pan and nestle in the chicken, and simmer until the chicken is cooked all the way through, about 10 minutes or until it has reached an internal temperature of 165°F.

7: Spoon the onions and some sauce over the chicken and then top with a combination of gruyere and mozzarella cheese. Bake in the oven for 7 to 8 mins at 275°F or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

8: Spoon a little bit of onion gravy on top and garnish with fresh thyme.

Recipe Tips and Variations

Storage: Store any leftover French Onion Chicken in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. (My Favorite Meal Prep Containers)
Reheating: Reheat the dish either in a pan on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Thickening the sauce: If you desire a thicker sauce, you can add a small amount of xanthan gum, tapioca flour, or arrowroot flour.
Serving suggestions: Enjoy this dish with Easy Grilled Vegetables, mashed potatoes, Cheesy Garlic Roasted Asparagus, mashed cauliflower, Crispy Air Fryer Potato Wedges or any of your favorite side dishes.

Alternate Cooking Methods

How to Make French Onion Chicken in the Instant Pot : Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Set your Instant Pot to the sauté function and melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the onions and garlic, and cook until the onions are caramelized, about 10 minutes. Remove the caramelized onions from the Instant Pot and set them aside. Increase the sauté function to high, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, and pan-sear the chicken on both sides until it is a deep golden brown. Add the onions back to the Instant Pot. Pour in the stock and use a rubber spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the cooking sherry, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and black pepper to the Instant Pot. Stir well. Nestle the chicken on top of the onions. Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set it to manual high pressure for 10 minutes. Once the cooking time is complete, perform a quick pressure release. Sprinkle the cheese and fresh thyme over top and let melt. Spoon some of the onion gravy over top of the chicken. (Try this Instant Pot Queso Dip)
How to Make French Onion Chicken in the Slow Cooker : If you have time to caramelize the onions in a pan on the stovetop before adding to the slow cooker, this will give you the best flavor. If not, you can add all ingredients to the slow cooker (minus the cheeses) and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours. Top with cheeses and fresh thyme and cook for one additional hour.

A white bowl with chicken and caramelized onions, mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make French Onion Chicken in the Instant Pot?

YES! See directions above.

How can I make Dairy free French onion chicken recipe?

To make this recipe dairy free, substitute the butter with ghee or coconut oil, and the cheese with your favorite dairy free cheese alternative.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for this recipe?

Yes! You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs in place of the chicken breasts.

More Easy Chicken Recipes

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