French Onion Chicken brings all the rich, comforting flavors of classic French onion soup to an easy weeknight dinner. Juicy chicken breasts are smothered with sweet caramelized onions, a savory pan sauce, and plenty of melted cheese for a meal that’s hearty, flavorful, and surprisingly simple to make.
If you love the rich flavor of French onion soup, you’ll love this easy French Onion chicken dinner. It’s made with simple ingredients, comes together in one skillet, and is delicious served with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up every last bit of the savory onion sauce.
Recipe Facts
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4. Difficulty: Easy
What you’ll love about this recipe:
Ingredients
Ingredient notes
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts – Pound the chicken to an even thickness so it cooks evenly and stays juicy.
- Olive Oil – Used for searing the chicken and helping the onions caramelize.
- Yellow Onions – Sweet yellow onions become rich and caramelized as they cook, creating the signature French onion flavor.
- Beef Broth – Adds a rich, savory base for the onion sauce. Use low-sodium broth if you prefer to control the salt.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Adds depth and a subtle savory flavor that enhances the onions.
- Balsamic Vinegar – A splash of balsamic balances the savory flavors with a touch of sweetness.
- Garlic Powder – Adds extra flavor without overpowering the onions.
- Mozzarella Cheese – Melts into a delicious cheesy topping. Gruyère is a great substitute for a more traditional French onion flavor.
- Fresh Parsley (Optional) – Adds a pop of color and freshness just before serving.
How To Make French Onion Chicken
- Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Saute the onions until they become slightly caramelized, stirring occasionally.
- To the pan, add the balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and dried thyme. Stir to combine, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Cook the onions for approximately 20 minutes, or until they are fully caramelized and have a jam-like consistency. Set the caramelized onions aside.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, and paprika.
- Dredge each chicken cutlet in the flour mixture, ensuring both sides are coated evenly. Set the coated cutlets aside. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the flour mixture for later use.
- In the same skillet used for the onions, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Once the butter has melted, add the coated chicken cutlets to the pan.
- Cook the chicken cutlets for approximately 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are cooked through and nicely browned. Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Whisk the remaining 1 tablespoon of flour mixture into the beef broth or stock. Pour the broth into the pan and deglaze it over medium-low heat, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until the sauce has thickened.
- Return the cooked chicken cutlets to the pan with the thickened sauce. Simmer for an additional 5-8 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Divide the caramelized onions on top of the chicken in the pan.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the onions.
- Cover the pan and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve the chicken cutlets with the flavorful caramelized onion and cheese topping.
- Enjoy this delicious and savory French onion chicken!
Tips and Variations
- Be patient with the onions—the longer they cook, the sweeter and richer they’ll become.
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat.
- Broil the cheese for 1–2 minutes for a bubbly, golden topping.
- Swap the mozzarella for Gruyère for a more traditional French onion flavor.
- Add sliced mushrooms for extra flavor and texture.
- Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles for a heartier meal.
FAQs about French onion chicken
Our Favorite
To Serve with French Onion Chicken
French Onion Chicken
Yield:
4
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
40 minutes
Total Time:
50 minutes
This French Onion Chicken recipe combines juicy chicken breasts with sweet caramelized onions, a rich savory sauce, and gooey melted mozzarella cheese for an easy one-pan dinner that's packed with comforting flavor. It's a family favorite that's perfect for busy weeknights or cozy Sunday dinners.
4.3 Stars (4 Reviews)
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken Cutlets, (Boneless, Skinless)
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 Medium Sized Yellow Onions, Sliced
- 1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Thyme
- 1 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- ½ Cup All-Purpose Flour
- Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
- ½ Teaspoon Paprika
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- ½ Cup Beef Broth or Chicken Broth
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Saute the onions until they become slightly caramelized, stirring occasionally.
- To the pan, add the balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and dried thyme. Stir to combine, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Cook the onions for approximately 20 minutes, or until they are fully caramelized and have a jam-like consistency. Set the caramelized onions aside.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, and paprika.
- Dredge each chicken cutlet in the flour mixture, ensuring both sides are coated evenly. Set the coated cutlets aside. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the flour mixture for later use.
- In the same skillet used for the onions, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Once the butter has melted, add the coated chicken cutlets to the pan.
- Cook the chicken cutlets for approximately 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are cooked through and nicely browned. Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Whisk the remaining 1 tablespoon of flour mixture into the beef broth or stock. Pour the broth into the pan and deglaze it over medium-low heat, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until the sauce has thickened.
- Return the cooked chicken cutlets to the pan with the thickened sauce. Simmer for an additional 5-8 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Divide the caramelized onions on top of the chicken in the pan. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the onions.
- Cover the pan and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve the chicken cutlets with the flavorful caramelized onion and cheese topping.
- Enjoy this delicious and savory french onion chicken!
Notes
For the best flavor, allow the onions to caramelize slowly until they are soft and golden brown. Cook the chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F, then top with cheese and broil just until melted and bubbly. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to help keep it tender and juicy.
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Delicious!!! Five stars! Made with gluten free flour. Will definitely make again!
i’m so happy to hear that 🙂