This delightful French Onion Chicken Bake fuses tender chicken breasts with slowly caramelized onions elevated by French onion soup mix. A rich layer of Swiss and cheddar cheeses tops the dish, offering a savory blend of flavors. It’s a comforting, indulgent meal perfect for those who crave an elevated twist on classic comfort food.
I love sharing recipes that are both tasty and packed with nutrition. My French Onion Chicken Bake is one of my favorites because its simple ingredients create big flavors while keeping it healthy.
I start with 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts seasoned with salt and pepper then I sear them in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. The magic lies in the caramelized onions.
I use 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced along with 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of sugar to get that rich caramel flavor. Next, I toss in about 1 packet of French onion soup mix and 1/4 cup water (or chicken broth) to form a light sauce that flavors the meat through and through.
I then top it all with 1 cup each of shredded Swiss and cheddar cheese. This easy casserole is not only high in protein but also fits great into many diets like keto.
If you love Chicken Breast Recipes Baked and French Onion Chicken then you have to try this!
Why I Like this Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s super satisfying and easy to make. First, the way the onions caramelize gives a great sweet and savory flavor that makes the chicken taste amazing. Second, I really enjoy how simple it is to put together. Even on a busy weeknight, I can throw it together and have a delicious dinner ready in no time. Third, I dig the mix of cheeses on top – they melt into this gooey, bubbly layer that ties the whole dish together perfectly.
Here’s my take on it in my own words:
French Onion Chicken Bake is a quick and easy baked chicken recipe thats perfect if you love the taste of french onion soup. The recipe uses carmelized onions and two different cheeses that blend together for a really tasty and melty dish. It’s not too complicated to make, and the flavors are bold enough to impress anyone at dinner. I keep coming back to it because its simple, yummy and reminds me of home cooked meals.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: lean protein that builds muscles and keeps you full.
- Yellow onions: provide fiber and natural sweetness when slowly caramelized.
- Olive oil: adds healthy fats and rich flavor to the whole dish.
- Butter: helps caramelize onions, giving a creamy, savory taste.
- French onion soup mix: infuses a burst of seasoning and umami flavor.
- Cheese: Swiss and cheddar add calcium, creaminess, and a satisfying melt.
- Sugar: gives a slight sweetness that heightens the caramelization process.
- Water or broth: retains moisture and helps meld all the flavors together.
Ingredient Quantities
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter (for caramelizing the onions)
- 1 tablespoon sugar (to help with the caramelization)
- 1 packet (about 1 oz) French onion soup mix
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup water or chicken broth
How to Make this
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken and sear each side for about 2-3 minutes until lightly browned, then set them aside.
4. In the same skillet, melt the butter and add the thinly sliced onions along with the sugar. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally until the onions are soft and well caramelized.
5. Once the onions are done, stir in the French onion soup mix and pour in the water or chicken broth, scraping up any brown bits from the pan.
6. Place the seared chicken breasts in a baking dish and evenly spoon the caramelized onion mixture over them.
7. Sprinkle the shredded Swiss and cheddar cheeses over the top of the chicken and onions.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the cheeses are bubbly and melted.
9. Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
10. Enjoy your delicious French Onion Chicken Bake while it’s warm and melty!
Equipment Needed
1. Oven – for baking the chicken in after assembling the dish.
2. Large skillet – needed to sear the chicken and then use for caramelizing the onions.
3. Baking dish – to place the chicken and the onion mixture before baking.
4. Sharp knife – to trim and slice the onions.
5. Cutting board – for safely slicing the onions.
6. Measuring cups and spoons – to measure oil, butter, water or broth, and sugar accurately.
7. Spatula or wooden spoon – for stirring the onions and scraping the brown bits off the pan.
8. Tongs – to handle the chicken when searing and transferring it to the baking dish.
FAQ
French Onion Chicken Bake Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- You can easily swap the chicken breasts with chicken thighs to get a more flavorful and juicy result
- If you’re out of olive oil, use avocado or vegetable oil which work just fine for searing
- No yellow onions? Try red onions or even shallots for a slightly different, sweeter taste
- If butter isn’t available for caramelizing, a bit of margarine or coconut oil can do the trick
- Rather than a packet of French onion soup mix, mix dried onion flakes, garlic powder, thyme and a pinch of beef bouillon for a homemade blend
Pro Tips
1. When you cook the onions, keep checking on them ’cause they can burn real fast. Stir ’em more often if needed so they get nicely browned without turning bitter.
2. Don’t overdo the searing on the chicken. It needs just enough color to lock in juices but still be raw enough to finish in the oven without getting too dry.
3. After you take the dish out the oven, let it sit for a couple minutes. This gives the juices time to settle and the cheese a chance to firm up a bit before you dig in.
4. If you like more flavor, think about tossing in a little garlic or dried herbs with the onions. That extra kick can really bring the whole dish together if you adjust the salt just right.
French Onion Chicken Bake Recipe
This delightful French Onion Chicken Bake fuses tender chicken breasts with slowly caramelized onions elevated by French onion soup mix. A rich layer of Swiss and cheddar cheeses tops the dish, offering a savory blend of flavors. It’s a comforting, indulgent meal perfect for those who crave an elevated twist on classic comfort food.
4
servings
626
kcal
Equipment: 1. Oven – for baking the chicken in after assembling the dish.
2. Large skillet – needed to sear the chicken and then use for caramelizing the onions.
3. Baking dish – to place the chicken and the onion mixture before baking.
4. Sharp knife – to trim and slice the onions.
5. Cutting board – for safely slicing the onions.
6. Measuring cups and spoons – to measure oil, butter, water or broth, and sugar accurately.
7. Spatula or wooden spoon – for stirring the onions and scraping the brown bits off the pan.
8. Tongs – to handle the chicken when searing and transferring it to the baking dish.
Ingredients
-
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
-
Salt and pepper to taste
-
2 tablespoons olive oil
-
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
-
2 tablespoons butter (for caramelizing the onions)
-
1 tablespoon sugar (to help with the caramelization)
-
1 packet (about 1 oz) French onion soup mix
-
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
-
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
-
1/4 cup water or chicken broth
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken and sear each side for about 2-3 minutes until lightly browned, then set them aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter and add the thinly sliced onions along with the sugar. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally until the onions are soft and well caramelized.
- Once the onions are done, stir in the French onion soup mix and pour in the water or chicken broth, scraping up any brown bits from the pan.
- Place the seared chicken breasts in a baking dish and evenly spoon the caramelized onion mixture over them.
- Sprinkle the shredded Swiss and cheddar cheeses over the top of the chicken and onions.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the cheeses are bubbly and melted.
- Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Enjoy your delicious French Onion Chicken Bake while it's warm and melty!
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 300g
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 626kcal
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Polyunsaturated: 2g
- Monounsaturated: 7g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
- Sodium: 1100mg
- Potassium: 600mg
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 5g
- Protein: 44g
- Vitamin A: 500IU
- Vitamin C: 5mg
- Calcium: 300mg
- Iron: 1.5mg
