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 breast recipe with you today. It's become a family favorite in our home, combining the rich flavors of French onion soup with tender, skinless chicken breasts. The best part? It's a one-skillet wonder that's ready in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
This recipe starts by caramelizing yellow onions in a large skillet over medium heat with a touch of thyme, creating that classic French onion flavor. While the onions soften and caramelize, your house house becomes filled with the most delicious French onion soup smell. Then, we add the chicken breasts, cooking them until golden brown on each side.
The magic happens when we bring it all together with a savory mixture of beef broth and those delicious caramelized onions, creating an irresistible onion sauce that coats the chicken perfectly. It's like enjoying French onion soup and a hearty chicken dish all in one easy skillet dinner! Plus, with just 2 tablespoons of oil and some simple stirring, this skillet chicken recipe is both easy and flavorful.
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 Skillet French Onion Chicken Recipe
- Olive oil is used to cook onions and brown chicken.
- Yellow onions - Become sweet and tender when cooked slowly.
- Fresh thyme leaves - Adds a nice herbal note.
- Garlic - Brings extra flavor to the dish.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts - The main protein, stays juicy. 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.
- Dried Mexican oregano - Brings an earthy flavor to the chicken.
- All-purpose flour - Helps thicken the sauce and coats the chicken.
- Beef broth - Creates a rich base for the sauce. You can use chicken broth as well.
- Gruyère cheese - Melts well and has a nutty, complex flavor.
- Parsley - Optional, adds color and fresh taste.
- Pappardelle or wide egg noodles - Great for soaking up the sauce.
- Butter - Adds richness to the noodles and rounds out the flavors.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
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.
Want to save this?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you'll get new recipes from us every week.
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.
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
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.
Accompanying Dishes for French Onion Chicken Breasts Skillet
This french onion chicken breasts skillet is rich and hearty, making it a fantastic centerpiece for a cozy meal. Pair it with the Green Cauliflower Bake or a simple Carrot Casserole for a side dish that complements the depth of the caramelized onions. For a lighter option, serve alongside Roast Air Fryer Asparagus or the crisp textures of Air Fryer Tofu.
For a complete and comforting dinner, consider offering this skillet dish alongside Easy Moussaka or buttermilk chicken and potatoes for a Mediterranean-inspired pairing. Whether you’re planning an intimate family dinner or a more formal gathering, these sides provide balance, adding variety and freshness to your meal while letting the skillet's flavors shine.
More Winter Comfort Dishes
Winter calls for hearty and warming meals, and there’s no shortage of ideas to inspire your next menu. 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.
For one-pot wonders, try the Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara or the Instant Pot Fish Soup for a flavorful, hassle-free meal. And if casseroles are your go-to comfort food, you’ll love the Cheesy Easy Cauliflower Casserole. These dishes offer plenty of variety for keeping warm and well-fed through the season.
Recipe
Tried and loved this recipe? Please leave a 5-star review below! Your reviews mean a lot to me, so if you've got any questions, please let me know in a comment.
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.
