French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole Creamy & Cozy
A warm, creamy casserole with caramelized onions, shredded chicken, tender orzo, and bubbling Gruyère cheese. Inspired by French onion soup and perfect for cozy dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
3 yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp dried thyme
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
1 cup uncooked orzo
2½ cups beef or chicken broth
½ cup cream or milk (optional)
1½ cups shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
-
Caramelize onions in butter and oil over medium heat for 25–30 minutes.
-
Add garlic and thyme. Cook for 1 minute.
-
Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
-
Combine onions, chicken, orzo, broth, cream (if using), salt, and pepper in dish.
-
Cover tightly with foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
-
Uncover, top with cheese, and bake another 10–15 minutes.
-
Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Add spinach or mushrooms for variety. Use rotisserie chicken for convenience. Gluten-free orzo can be substituted.