Description
Get ready to fall in love with this incredibly satisfying Easy French Onion Chicken that turns your favorite soup into the most comforting dinner ever! This family-friendly recipe takes all those amazing flavors you know and love—sweet caramelized onions, savory herbs, and melty cheese—and transforms them into a hearty chicken dinner that’s guaranteed to become a weeknight staple. The best part? It looks fancy enough for company but is actually super simple to make with ingredients you probably already have. Perfect for busy families who want something special without the stress, this dish delivers maximum flavor with minimal fuss!
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken cutlets (16–20 oz total)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh)
- 3 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated (about 1 cup) – Swiss works too!
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- Black pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons butter, divided
- ½ cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Start the Onion Magic: Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add your sliced onions with ¼ teaspoon salt, bump up the heat to medium-high, and cook, stirring often, until they start getting those gorgeous golden-brown edges.
- Let Them Get Sweet and Tender: Turn the heat down to medium-low and add balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire, and thyme. Keep cooking and stirring occasionally for 20-25 minutes—this is where the magic happens and they get super sweet! Add a splash of water if things look dry, then set onions aside and clean your pan.
- Get Your Chicken Ready: If your chicken pieces aren’t nice and thin, just place them between some plastic wrap and gently pound them to even thickness. Season both sides with the remaining salt and plenty of pepper.
- Set Up Your Coating Station: Mix flour, a pinch of salt, and paprika in a shallow dish. This will give your chicken a lovely golden coating that helps everything stick together beautifully.
- Cook That Chicken: Melt 1 teaspoon of butter in your clean skillet over medium heat. Coat two pieces of chicken in the flour mixture, shake off the extra, and cook for 3 minutes per side until nicely golden. Set aside and repeat with the rest of the butter and chicken.
- Make a Simple Pan Sauce: Mix the chicken broth with 1 tablespoon of your leftover flour mixture and whisk it into the skillet over low heat. Stir for about a minute until it thickens up into a nice sauce.
- Bring It All Together: Put the chicken back in the pan, pile on those beautiful caramelized onions, and top with all that cheese. Cover and cook on low for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Plate it up while it’s still hot and bubbly—this is comfort food at its finest! Serve with whatever sides your family loves.
Notes
This recipe is all about taking your time with those onions—they’re what make this dish so special! Don’t worry if they look like they’re taking forever; that slow cooking is what develops all that amazing sweetness. If you can’t find Gruyère cheese, regular Swiss cheese works great and is usually easier to find. This dish is perfect for meal prep too—just reheat gently in the oven or microwave. Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or even just some crusty bread to soak up that delicious sauce!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: One-Pan
- Cuisine: Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg