Description
This French Onion Chicken & Rice recipe combines tender, seared chicken breasts with sweet, caramelized onions and aromatic thyme, all baked together with rice and topped with melted Gruyere cheese for a comforting and flavorful one-pan meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Rice Mixture
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese
- Optional: Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken and rice dish.
- Sear Chicken: Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Once seared, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Caramelize Onions: In the same skillet, add the thinly sliced onions and cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and caramelized. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute to release its aroma.
- Add Rice and Broth: Stir the long-grain white rice into the caramelized onions and garlic. Pour in the chicken broth, then add dried thyme, salt, and black pepper, stirring well to combine all ingredients.
- Combine Chicken and Rice: Nestle the seared chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture in the skillet. Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid or foil to retain moisture during baking.
- Bake: Place the covered skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Add Cheese: Remove the cover and evenly sprinkle shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese over the top. Return the skillet to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm for a hearty, flavorful meal.
Notes
- For best results, use an oven-safe skillet such as a cast iron or stainless steel skillet to avoid transferring to another dish for baking.
- Ensure chicken breasts are of even thickness for uniform cooking; you may pound them slightly if needed.
- You can substitute Gruyere with Swiss cheese or a similar melting cheese for different flavor variations.
- If you prefer a more intense onion flavor, caramelize the onions a bit longer until deeply browned.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
