One-Pot French Onion Chicken (Printable)

Savory one-pot dish with chicken, caramelized onions, and creamy cheese for comforting meals.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs), cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Vegetables

02 - 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme

→ Pasta

05 - 12 oz short pasta such as penne, fusilli, or rigatoni

→ Broth & Liquids

06 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 4 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth
09 - 1/2 cup dry white wine, optional, or substitute with additional broth
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Cheese

11 - 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
12 - 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
13 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
02 - Add remaining butter to the pot. Stir in sliced onions with a generous pinch of salt. Cook slowly over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown, approximately 20 to 25 minutes.
03 - Add minced garlic and thyme to the caramelized onions. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Pour white wine into the pot and scrape up browned bits from the bottom. Allow liquid to reduce by half, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
05 - Return cooked chicken to the pot. Add uncooked pasta and broth. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
06 - Cover the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta reaches al dente texture and most liquid has been absorbed, approximately 10 to 12 minutes.
07 - Stir in Gruyère and mozzarella cheese until fully melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
08 - Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top. If desired, place under the oven broiler for 2 to 3 minutes until golden and bubbly.
09 - Transfer to serving dishes while hot and garnish with fresh thyme sprigs.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • A simple one-pot meal with layered flavors inspired by French onion soup.
  • Combines tender chicken, sweet caramelized onions, and a trio of cheeses for richness.
  • Minimal cleanup and perfect for weeknight dinners.
  • Customizable with pasta shapes and cheese swaps.
02 -
  • Use low-sodium broth to control the saltiness of the dish.
  • Don’t rush the caramelization of onions; it’s key to the depth of flavor.
  • If skipping wine, add an extra 1/2 cup of broth for balance.
  • Broiling at the end creates a beautiful golden crust but monitor closely to avoid burning.
  • Let the pasta rest covered off heat for a minute if it needs to thicken further before serving.
Go Back