Description

This French Onion Chicken Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender, juicy chicken breasts baked in a rich caramelized onion and garlic sauce, topped with melted Gruyère and Parmesan cheese. The onions are slowly caramelized to bring out their natural sweetness, enhanced with balsamic vinegar and fresh thyme, then combined with beef broth to create a savory base. Baked until bubbly and golden, this dish is perfect for an elegant yet easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil

Onion Mixture

2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup low-sodium beef broth

Cheese

1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish

Chopped fresh parsley (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken and onion mixture.
Caramelize Onions: In a large oven-safe skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring often, until they turn deeply golden and caramelized, about 20–25 minutes.
Add Garlic and Seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, balsamic vinegar, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Add Beef Broth and Simmer: Pour in the beef broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat.
Assemble Chicken in Skillet: Nestle the chicken breasts into the skillet amidst the onion mixture, spooning some onions over each piece for flavor.
Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère and grated Parmesan cheeses evenly over the chicken and onions.
Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Optional Broil: For a golden-brown cheese crust, broil the dish for an additional 2–3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot with your preferred sides.

Notes

For extra depth of flavor, sear the chicken breasts in the skillet for 2–3 minutes per side before cooking the onions and baking.
This dish pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Be careful while broiling to avoid burning the cheese; keep a close eye during the last few minutes.
Using low-sodium beef broth helps control sodium content and allows the natural flavors to shine.