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French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole

A creamy, comforting casserole made with tender chicken, caramelized onions, orzo pasta, and melted cheese inspired by classic French onion soup.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Casserole, Dinner
Cuisine: American, French-inspired
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

Casserole Base
  • 1.5 lb chicken breast cut into pieces
  • 1 cup orzo pasta uncooked
  • 3 yellow onions thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 0.75 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup Gruyère cheese shredded
  • 0.5 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 2 tsp fresh thyme

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Casserole dish
  • Wooden spoon
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a casserole dish.
  2. Caramelize onions in butter and olive oil over medium heat until golden.
  3. Add garlic and chicken; cook until lightly browned.
  4. Stir in orzo, broth, cream, and thyme; bring to a simmer.
  5. Transfer mixture to casserole dish and top with cheese.
  6. Cover and bake 25 minutes, then uncover and bake 15–20 minutes until bubbly.

Notes

Let rest before serving for best texture.