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French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole

French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole: The 7 Ultimate Steps to a Perfect Dinner

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A cozy, all-in-one casserole inspired by classic French onion soup, featuring tender chicken, savory orzo, deeply caramelized onions, and a golden, cheesy topping.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 cup uncooked orzo pasta

1/2 cup dry white wine (or additional broth)

3 cups beef broth

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to broil. In a large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-low heat.

2. Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 30-40 minutes until deeply caramelized. Add garlic in the last 2 minutes until fragrant. Remove onions from skillet and set aside.

3. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Increase heat to medium-high, add a little oil if needed, and sear chicken until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.

4. Reduce heat to medium. Add uncooked orzo to the skillet and toast for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.

5. Pour in white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Let simmer for 1 minute.

6. Stir in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Return chicken and caramelized onions to the skillet. Cover and simmer on low for 15-20 minutes, until orzo is tender.

7. Stir once, then sprinkle Gruyère and Parmesan evenly over the top. Transfer skillet to oven and broil 2-4 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Notes

Take your time caramelizing the onions—this step builds the signature deep flavor.

Gruyère is traditional, but Swiss or provolone can be substituted if needed.

This casserole can be assembled ahead (before broiling) and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat gently.

  • Author: Jessica Lupone!
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Stovetop & Oven
  • Cuisine: French-Inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 generous bowl
  • Calories: 520
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 820mg
  • Fat: 26g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 34g
  • Cholesterol: 115mg