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French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole

A rich, comforting casserole made with caramelized onions, tender chicken, creamy orzo, and a golden layer of melted cheese inspired by classic French onion soup.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Autumn
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

Casserole
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 yellow onions large, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp thyme fresh or dried
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp salt to taste
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 lb chicken breasts boneless, skinless, cubed
  • 1 cup orzo pasta uncooked
  • 2.5 cups beef broth low sodium
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup Gruyere cheese shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheet
  • Wire rack
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a casserole dish.
  2. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook 20–25 minutes until deeply caramelized.
  3. Stir in garlic, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper; cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add chicken pieces and cook 3–4 minutes until lightly browned.
  5. Stir in orzo, beef broth, and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Transfer mixture to prepared casserole dish and remove bay leaf.
  7. Top evenly with Gruyere and mozzarella cheeses.
  8. Cover loosely with foil and bake 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  9. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

For deeper flavor, take time to fully caramelize the onions. This casserole can be assembled ahead and baked when ready.