Description
French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole blends sweet caramelized onions, tender shredded chicken, and buttery orzo in a creamy broth, all topped with melted cheese for a golden finish. This one‑pan comfort dish delivers rich French onion flavor without the soup, making it an ideal easy weeknight dinner or cozy family meal. Ready in under an hour, it offers satisfying texture, savory depth, and minimal cleanup, perfect for busy home cooks seeking a hearty, cheesy bake. Serve hot for indulgent comfort
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 large yellow onions, sliced
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 cup shredded cheese (your choice)
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat and caramelize sliced onions until deep amber, about 15‑20 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and dried thyme, cooking for 1 minute.
- Stir in chicken broth, orzo, salt, black pepper, and sugar; bring to a boil, then simmer 10 minutes.
- Fold in shredded chicken and half the cheese; mix until combined.
- Transfer to a baking dish, top with remaining cheese, and bake 20‑25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Notes
- For a smoky twist
- add beef chorizo with the chicken. Use low‑sodium broth to control salt. Let the casserole rest 5 minutes before serving for cleaner slices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 servings
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 tsp
- Sodium: Low
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole, easy chicken casserole, orzo recipes, comfort food dinner, weeknight meals, chicken and orzo bake, cheesy chicken casserole, French onion flavor, one pan dinner, quick family meals