Savor the rich flavors of this French onion chicken breasts skillet, featuring caramelized onions and melted cheese, for a delicious twist on classic French onion soup!
As a mom of two energetic toddlers, I’m always on the hunt for quick and delicious meals that will please my little ones and my husband. That’s why I’m thrilled to share this French Onion Chicken Skillet recipe with you today. It’s become a family favorite, combining the rich, savory flavors of French onion soup with tender, juicy chicken—all cooked in just one pan for easy cleanup!
This dish starts by caramelizing yellow onions in a large skillet with a touch of thyme, filling your kitchen with that irresistible French onion aroma. Then, in the same pan, the seasoned chicken breasts are seared to golden perfection, soaking up all those delicious flavors from the onions.
I chose to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, just like my chicken pumpkin risotto and greek chicken in the slow cooker, because they cook quickly, absorb the flavors beautifully, and provide a lean yet satisfying protein option. Their mild taste makes them the perfect canvas for the rich onion sauce and melty cheese. Plus, they’re always a hit with my family, making this a meal that’s both comforting and wholesome.
Finally, everything simmers together in a savory beef broth, creating an irresistible sauce that coats the chicken beautifully. With just one skillet and about 40 minutes, you can enjoy a restaurant-worthy meal at home—with a side of air fryer asparagus or a cauliflower bake to keep the family healthy!
So what are you waiting for? All you need to make this french onion chicken breasts skillet recipe is one skillet, about 40 minutes of cooking and a bit of will!
Ingredients for French Onion Chicken Skillet Recipe
The three main elements of this recipe are the boneless, skinless chicken breasts, yellow onions, and pappardelle or wide egg noodles. I recommend that you use boneless chicken and make sure to cut the chicken pieces small enough so all the chicken is fully cooked at the same time. You can use chicken thighs too. If you are looking to use another cut of chicken, like chicken thighs, I recommend my chicken and date tray bake. I prefer yellow onion because of how sweet and tender they become when you caramelize the onions. And these are my favourite noodles to use because they are perfect for soaking up the sauce.
How to Make French Onion Chicken Breasts
Prep the Ingredients
Pat the chicken breasts dry and season the chicken with salt and pepper. Slice the onions thinly.
Caramelize the Onions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions, salt, pepper, and fresh thyme. Reduce heat to medium and cook the onions for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. They'll soften and caramelize, changing from sharp to sweet. Once done, set them aside.
Cook the Chicken
In the same skillet, add more oil if needed. Dredge the chicken in a mix of flour, oregano, salt, and pepper. Return the skillet to medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown.
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Make the French Onion Sauce
In the same skillet, add the beef broth and caramelized onions, scraping up any browned bits. Nestle the chicken it into the onion sauce. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened, about 10-12 minutes.
Prepare the Pasta
While the chicken cooks, prepare your pasta according to package directions.
Finish the Dish
Once the chicken is cooked, top with shredded Gruyère cheese. Cover the skillet and let the cheese melt, or broil until bubbly and browned.
Serve and Enjoy!
Plate the French onion skillet chicken over buttered noodles, garnishing with fresh parsley if desired.
This easy one-skillet dinner comes together in less than an hour, perfect for a delicious weeknight meal. The combination of tender chicken, caramelized onions, and melty cheese creates a comforting dish you'll want to make again and again!
Storage for this Chicken Recipe
This dish reheats well, making it good for leftovers. Keep the chicken and sauce separate from the pasta in containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the chicken and sauce in a skillet over medium heat, and make fresh pasta to serve it with.
Dishes that Pair Well with French Onion Chicken
For a complete and comforting dinner, consider offering this skillet dish alongside Easy Moussaka or buttermilk chicken and potatoes for a Mediterranean-inspired pairing.
A creamy option like Kabocha Squash Soup or an Easy Slow Cooker Butternut Squash dish is perfect for a cold evening. For those who love baked pasta, the Creamy Leek and Mushroom Pasta Bake or Creamy Vegan Pasta Bake are indulgent options.
Recipe
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French Onion Chicken Skillet
Equipment
- Cast iron skillet or frying pan
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large yellow onions
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup beef broth or beef bone broth
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- Freshly chopped parsley (optional garnish)
- 8 ounces pappardelle or wide egg noodles
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry and season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Halve the onions and slice into ¼-inch pieces. Mince the garlic.
- In a large pan or skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions, a pinch of salt, black pepper, and thyme leaves.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are caramelized but still intact, about 20 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic, then remove the pan from the heat. Transfer the cooked onions to a bowl and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix the flour, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces and toss in the flour mixture until evenly coated.
- In the same skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken to the skillet.
- Cook until chicken is browned on all sides and mostly cooked through, about 6 minutes. Make sure the chicken is fully cooked by measuring it with a thermometer (it should be 165F).
- Add the beef broth and caramelized onions to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer until chicken is cooked through and broth reduces and thickens, about 12 more minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and toss with 2 tablespoons of butter in a serving dish.
- Sprinkle Gruyère cheese over the chicken. Cover the skillet with a lid and remove from heat. Let stand until the cheese melts, about 2 minutes.
- Serve the French Onion Chicken over the pasta and garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.
