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French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole

A hearty serving of French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole showing chunks of chicken and orzo pasta with a golden, crispy cheese topping.
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A hearty baked casserole combining tender chicken, orzo pasta, and the deep, savory flavor of caramelized onions and beef broth, topped with melted cheese.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup dry orzo pasta
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 25 to 35 minutes until the onions are deeply browned and caramelized. Remove the onions from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Season the chicken pieces with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Sprinkle the flour over the chicken and toss to coat lightly.
  4. Return the skillet to medium heat. Add the floured chicken and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until lightly browned on all sides.
  5. Pour in the beef broth and white wine (if using). Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Stir in the orzo, thyme, bay leaf, Worcestershire sauce, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  6. Stir in the caramelized onions and 1/2 cup of the Gruyère cheese. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly until the liquid thickens slightly. Remove the bay leaf.
  7. Stir in the heavy cream. Pour the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  8. In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the remaining 1/2 cup of Gruyère cheese. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
  9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the orzo is tender, the chicken is cooked through, and the topping is golden brown and bubbly. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For deeper flavor, use high-quality beef broth.
  • If you skip the wine, substitute it with an equal amount of extra beef broth.
  • You can use pre-cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken if you want to reduce the cooking time. Add it in step 6.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishdreams.com/french-onion-chicken-orzo-casserole-recipe/