Description
A comforting French-American baked chicken dish featuring caramelized onions, garlic, and a blend of mozzarella and Gruyère cheeses for a rich, savory meal that’s perfect for dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Onion Mixture
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)
Cheeses
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken dish.
- Caramelize Onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 25–30 minutes until they are soft and deeply golden brown. This slow cooking brings out the natural sweetness of the onions.
- Season and Deglaze: Stir in the balsamic vinegar, thyme, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Thicken Sauce: If using, sprinkle the flour over the onion mixture and stir well. Gradually pour in the beef broth while stirring constantly. Let the mixture simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened, creating a flavorful sauce.
- Prepare Chicken: Arrange the chicken breasts in a baking dish and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Assemble Dish: Pour the onion and sauce mixture evenly over the chicken breasts. Then, sprinkle shredded mozzarella and Gruyère cheeses on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. This allows the chicken to cook gently with steam and the flavors to combine.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10–15 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly with a golden top.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes after baking to let juices redistribute before serving. Enjoy with sides like mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.
Notes
- For enhanced flavor and texture, sear the chicken breasts for 2–3 minutes on each side in a hot pan before baking.
- Swiss cheese can be used as a substitute for Gruyère cheese if preferred or unavailable.
- Serve this dish with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- This recipe is gluten-free if you omit the flour or use a gluten-free thickener.
