A hearty casserole that blends the rich flavors of French onion soup with tender chicken, orzo pasta, and a bubbly cheese topping.
Author:Milo
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:45 minutes
Total Time:1 hour
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Bake
Cuisine:French-American
Diet:Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
2 large onions, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup dry orzo pasta
2 cups low-sodium beef broth
1 cup water
1 tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
In the same skillet, add sliced onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 15 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
Stir in orzo, beef broth, water, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
Return chicken to the skillet. Stir to combine. Remove from heat.
Sprinkle Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top.
Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until orzo is tender and cheese is golden and bubbly.
Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, use a mix of Swiss and provolone cheese.
If you prefer a crispier top, broil for 2-3 minutes after baking.
You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if desired.