This French onion inspired chicken orzo casserole is a quick high-protein meal packed with tender chicken, rich caramelized onions, and melted cheese. Ready in under 45 minutes, it's the perfect…

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs (680g) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 cups (270g) dry orzo pasta
• 3 cups (720ml) low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup (120ml) dry white wine (or extra broth)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup (100g) shredded Gruyère cheese
• 1/2 cup (50g) shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Gather all ingredients.

Step 2

Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown, about 5-6 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.

Step 3

Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and butter. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized, about 15 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Step 4

Sprinkle flour over onions and stir for 1 minute. Slowly pour in white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Add chicken broth, milk, thyme, and orzo. Bring to a simmer.

Step 5

Return chicken to the skillet. Stir in half of the Gruyère and Parmesan. Transfer skillet to oven and bake uncovered for 10 minutes, or until orzo is tender and liquid is absorbed.

Step 6

Remove from oven. Sprinkle remaining cheeses on top. Switch oven to broil and broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

For best results

• For deeper flavor, use a mix of Gruyère and fontina cheese.
• To save time, slice onions thinly using a mandoline.
• If you don't have dry white wine, substitute with additional chicken broth and a splash of lemon juice.

Variations

• Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free orzo and a gluten-free flour blend.
• Add vegetables: Stir in 1 cup of sliced mushrooms or spinach with the onions.
• Swap protein: Use turkey breast or boneless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts.

Nutrition

• Calories485 kcal
• Total Fat22g
• Saturated Fat10g
• Cholesterol95mg
• Sodium620mg
• Total Carbohydrates36g
• Dietary Fiber2g
• Sugars6g
• Protein38g

Common Questions