French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole
Enjoy the rich and savory flavors of French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole, a comforting dish that combines tender chicken, al dente orzo, and sweet caramelized onions under a blanket of melted Gruyere and mozzarella cheese.
Equipment
- oven-safe skillet
- Dutch oven
- oven
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large yellow onions
- 2 cloves garlic
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup orzo pasta uncooked
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded or diced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Gruyere cheese divided
- 0.5 cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Cooking Steps
- Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat, then sauté sliced onions for 10-15 minutes until caramelized.
- Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth, then stir in orzo, shredded chicken, thyme, pepper, and salt.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat, cover, and cook for 8-10 minutes until orzo is al dente and liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in heavy cream and half of the Gruyere cheese.
- Sprinkle remaining Gruyere and mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden brown, then let rest before serving.
Notes
For best results, allow the onions to caramelize slowly to develop a deep, sweet flavor. You can also prepare the caramelized onions ahead of time to save on prep. If you don't have Gruyere, Swiss cheese can be a good substitute. Be careful not to overcook the orzo in the simmering step, as it will continue to cook in the oven. This casserole makes great leftovers and can be reheated gently in the oven or microwave.