Description
French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole makes an easy dinner perfect for weeknight meals. This one pan dinner combines tender chicken, caramelized onions, and orzo pasta for a comforting family dinner and is a great addition to chicken casserole and orzo recipes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 large yellow onions thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 ½ cups orzo pasta
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken rotisserie works well
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half and half for lighter option
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce or balsamic glaze for added depth
Instructions
- Melt the butter and olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions along with sugar and salt and cook, stirring from time to time, until the onions turn a deep golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes. During the last couple of minutes, stir in the minced garlic.
- Add the orzo to the skillet, cooking and stirring it for around 2 minutes to toast lightly. Then stir in the shredded chicken, dried thyme, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce if using, mixing everything together well.
- Pour in the chicken broth and cream, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Lower the heat, cover the skillet, and let it cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the orzo is soft.
- Fold in 1 cup of the mozzarella along with the Parmesan cheese, stirring until the cheeses melt and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup mozzarella evenly on top. Bake uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes until the casserole is bubbling and the top is golden.
- Allow the casserole to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Optionally, garnish with fresh thyme or parsley.
Notes
- For crisp tops, broil 2–3 minutes at the end
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg