Description
A warm and cozy casserole featuring the rich flavors of French onion soup, tender chicken, and creamy orzo, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced (about 500g)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked orzo pasta (approx. 270g)
- 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (600ml)
- 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken (about 250g)
- 1/2 cup shredded gruyère cheese (or Swiss cheese, 50g)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (100g)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare a large oven-safe skillet with olive oil over medium-low heat.
- Add the sliced onions and cook for 20–25 minutes until golden and caramelized, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the butter, minced garlic, thyme, salt, and black pepper; cook for an additional 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the uncooked orzo and stir for 2–3 minutes to lightly toast the pasta.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in the shredded chicken.
- Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and sprinkle the gruyère and mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Bake uncovered for 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Caramelizing the onions well enhances the flavor significantly. Feel free to substitute the cheeses to your preference.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: casserole, comfort food, French onion, chicken, orzo