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A steaming French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole, freshly baked and bubbling.

Classic French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole

This comforting casserole combines tender chicken and orzo pasta with the rich, savory flavors of French onion soup, all topped with bubbly Gruyère cheese for a satisfying meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil plus more for chicken
  • 3 yellow onions sliced
  • 3 garlic minced
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1.5 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
  • Fresh parsley chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Cooking

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in an oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Cook sliced onions for 20-30 minutes until deeply golden brown and very soft.
  • Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, then push the onions and garlic to one side.
  • Add more olive oil to the empty side, then add chicken pieces seasoned with salt, pepper, and thyme. Brown the chicken for 3-5 minutes until lightly golden.
  • Stir the chicken and onions together, then add uncooked orzo, beef broth, heavy cream, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine, ensuring the orzo is submerged.
  • Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer on the stovetop, then remove from heat.

Baking

  • Sprinkle shredded Gruyère cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
  • Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the orzo is tender, liquid absorbed, and cheese is bubbly and golden.

Serving

  • Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired before serving.

Notes

Caramelizing the onions slowly is key for deep flavor. Don't rush this step! You can prepare the casserole ahead of time and bake it just before serving. If the casserole seems too dry after baking, you can add a splash more beef broth or cream and stir gently. Gruyère cheese gives the best flavor, but Swiss or mozzarella can be substituted in a pinch.