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French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole

This French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole is a cozy, flavor-packed dinner combining tender chicken, caramelized onions, creamy orzo pasta, and melty cheese. Inspired by the classic flavors of French onion soup, this comforting one-pan meal is perfect for weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Casserole, Dinner
Cuisine: American, French-inspired
Calories: 420
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken & Onion Base
  • 2 cups cooked chicken shredded or diced
  • 2 large onions thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
Casserole
  • 1 cup orzo pasta uncooked
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup Gruyère cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1 tsp thyme dried
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • 9x13 Baking Dish
  • Mixing spoon

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook slowly for 12–15 minutes until caramelized.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the cooked chicken, orzo pasta, chicken broth, heavy cream, thyme, salt, and pepper.
  5. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle Gruyère and mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
  6. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  7. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.
  8. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, sprinkle crispy fried onions or toasted breadcrumbs on top before the final bake. Rotisserie chicken works great for this recipe.