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French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole

A creamy baked casserole featuring caramelized onions, tender chicken, orzo pasta, and melted cheese inspired by classic French onion soup.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Casserole, Dinner
Cuisine: American, French Inspired
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

Casserole Base
  • 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 yellow onions thinly sliced
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried
  • 1 cup orzo pasta uncooked
  • 2.5 cups chicken broth
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce optional
Cheese Topping
  • 1 cup Gruyère cheese shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Casserole dish
  • Wooden spoon
  • Aluminum foil

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a casserole dish.
  2. Melt butter with olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add sliced onions and cook 20–25 minutes until deeply caramelized.
  4. Stir in garlic and thyme; cook 1 minute.
  5. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until lightly browned.
  6. Stir in orzo, chicken broth, cream, and Worcestershire sauce.
  7. Transfer mixture to casserole dish and cover with foil.
  8. Bake covered for 25 minutes.
  9. Remove foil, stir, top with cheeses, and bake uncovered 15–20 minutes until golden.
  10. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Caramelize onions slowly for the best flavor. Resting time helps thicken the sauce.