Description
Hearty French onion chicken rice combines classic French flavors with comforting rice. Caramelized onions, tender chicken, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 2 tbsps (28 g) butter
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded Gruyere or mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (200 g) long-grain white rice (or basmati)
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 packet (1 oz or 28 g) dry onion soup mix
- 1 tsp fresh thyme (or 0.5 tsp dried thyme)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cups (480 ml) beef broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Meticulously coat chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme, ensuring comprehensive coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
- Searing Stage: Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat, strategically sear chicken until a golden-brown crust develops, approximately 4-5 minutes per side, then transfer to a temporary plate.
- Caramelization Process: In the same skillet, melt butter and slowly transform onions into a rich, amber-hued masterpiece through patient, consistent stirring, creating a deep flavor foundation.
- Rice Integration: Introduce uncooked rice to the caramelized onions, allowing a brief toasting moment. Pour beef broth, water, dry onion soup mix, and thyme, thoroughly blending all components into a cohesive mixture.
- Assembly and Baking: Nestle seared chicken pieces into the rice-onion ensemble, cover skillet tightly with lid or aluminum foil. Preheat oven to 375F (190C), then slide skillet inside for 25-30 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and cook harmoniously.
- Cheese Finale: Uncover skillet, sprinkle shredded cheese generously across the surface. Transfer to broiler, carefully monitoring as cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden-brown topping within 2-3 minutes.
Notes
- Manage Chicken Browning: Ensure chicken develops a deep golden-brown crust by patting meat dry before seasoning, preventing excess moisture that inhibits proper searing and creating optimal flavor development.
- Caramelize Onions Strategically: Maintain medium-low heat while stirring onions consistently, allowing slow, even caramelization without burning – this process unlocks rich, sweet flavor foundations critical to the dish’s depth.
- Rice Moisture Management: Use precise liquid measurements to prevent soggy or undercooked rice, maintaining a 1:1.5 rice-to-liquid ratio and allowing slight liquid absorption during resting time after cooking.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Watch broiler carefully during final cheese melting stage, positioning skillet about 4-6 inches from heat source to achieve perfect golden-brown bubbling without burning the delicate cheese layer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 432
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 860 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg