French Onion Chicken Bake (Printable Version)

Tender chicken breasts combine with sweet caramelized onions and melted Gruyere for a rich, savory dish.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Onions

05 - 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1 teaspoon sugar
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/4 cup dry white wine, optional
13 - 1/2 cup beef or chicken broth

→ Topping

14 - 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, optional

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Set oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).
02 - Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Set aside.
03 - In a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sear chicken breasts for 2 to 3 minutes per side until lightly golden. Remove chicken and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, melt butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add sliced onions and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, until onions soften and turn golden, approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
05 - Sprinkle sugar over onions and continue to cook, stirring, until deeply caramelized, approximately 10 minutes more.
06 - Add minced garlic and thyme; cook for 1 minute.
07 - Deglaze the pan with white wine if using, scraping up browned bits, then simmer until liquid reduces by half, approximately 2 minutes.
08 - Stir in broth and simmer for 2 minutes more.
09 - Nestle seared chicken breasts into the onion mixture in the skillet. Spoon some onions over the chicken.
10 - Sprinkle shredded Gruyere evenly over the chicken and onions.
11 - Transfer skillet to the oven and bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and cheese is melted and golden.
12 - Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Combines the sweet, deep flavor of caramelized onions with juicy, seared chicken.
  • Top-tier comfort food that is naturally gluten-free if using gluten-free broth.
  • Uses an ovenproof skillet for a simple transition from stovetop to oven.
  • The melted Gruyere cheese adds a nutty, gourmet finish.
02 -
  • Ensure your broth is gluten-free if you have a gluten sensitivity.
  • Thinly and evenly slice the onions to ensure they caramelize at the same rate.
  • Freshly grated Gruyere melts much better than pre-shredded cheese from a bag.
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