Description
This French Onion Chicken Rice recipe brings all the rich, savory flavors of a classic French onion soup into a comforting, one-pan meal. Sweet caramelized onions, tender chicken, and creamy rice are simmered in a flavorful broth and milk, topped with melted Gruyère cheese for the perfect finishing touch. This dish is the ultimate comfort food—warm, cheesy, and absolutely delicious. Ideal for a family dinner or impressing guests at your next gathering, it’s a cozy meal that will have everyone coming back for more!
Ingredients
-
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
-
2 pounds yellow onions (about 2 large or 4 medium), sliced about 1/4-inch thick (about 7 cups)
-
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (from 1/4 medium bunch), plus more for garnish
-
2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more as needed
-
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed
-
1/4 cup dry white wine
-
1 cup long-grain white rice
-
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
-
1 cup whole or 2% milk
-
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
-
6 ounces Gruyère cheese, shredded (about 1 1/2 cups), divided
Instructions
-
Caramelize the onions:
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden brown, about 20-25 minutes. Be sure to stir occasionally to avoid burning. Add 1 tablespoon of thyme, salt, and pepper, and continue to cook for another 2 minutes. -
Deglaze with wine:
Pour in the dry white wine and cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let the wine cook down for about 2-3 minutes. -
Cook the chicken:
Add the chicken pieces to the pan, season with the remaining teaspoon of salt and pepper, and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. -
Add rice and liquids:
Stir in the rice, chicken broth, and milk. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover and reduce heat to low, cooking for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking.
-
Finish with cheese:
Once the rice is cooked, sprinkle the shredded Gruyère cheese over the top of the dish. Cover the skillet again and let it sit for 2-3 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt.
Notes
For a lighter version, you can substitute the whole milk with 2% or even skim milk.
If you prefer a different cheese, you can use Swiss cheese or even a combination of Gruyère and mozzarella.
To make this a one-pot meal, ensure your skillet or Dutch oven has a tight-fitting lid to allow the rice to cook properly
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Comfort Food
- Method: Stovetop, One-Pan Meal
- Cuisine: French-inspired, Comfort Food
Keywords: French Onion Chicken Rice, Chicken and Rice, Comfort Food, One-Pan Meal, Caramelized Onion Chicken, Gruyère Cheese Chicken, French Onion Soup-inspired