French Onion Chicken Bake Recipe
A comforting and flavorful French Onion Chicken Bake featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in rich French onion soup, topped with melted mozzarella cheese, and baked to perfection. This one-pan dish combines classic French onion flavors with juicy chicken for an easy and delicious meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 6 (4 oz) chicken breasts, raw
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Sauté and Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Land o’ Lakes light butter made with canola oil
- 1 small yellow onion, peeled and sliced
- 1 (10 oz) can French onion soup (e.g., Campbell’s)
Topping
- ½ cup fat-free or light mozzarella cheese (e.g., Market Pantry reduced-fat mozzarella)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking the chicken dish.
- Sauté Onions: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté them until they become translucent, which brings out their sweetness and enhances the flavor. Once done, remove the onions from the pan and set them aside.
- Season and Brown Chicken: Season the raw chicken breasts evenly with paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Increase the skillet heat to medium-high, spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking, and brown the chicken on both sides for about 5 minutes each. This step locks in flavor and creates a nice crust on the chicken.
- Add Onions and Soup: Return the sautéed onions to the skillet with the chicken. Open the can of French onion soup and pour it over the chicken and onions. Let it cook together for about 5 minutes until the soup thickens slightly and coats the chicken well.
- Prepare for Baking: If using a cast-iron skillet, evenly sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over each piece of chicken directly in the skillet. If not using cast iron, transfer the chicken, onions, and sauce into a baking dish before adding the cheese.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the skillet or baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the mozzarella cheese is melted and bubbly and the sauce is boiling around the chicken. This ensures the chicken is fully cooked and the flavors meld perfectly.
Notes
- You can use a cast-iron skillet for direct oven use, or transfer to a baking dish if your skillet is not oven-safe.
- Use fat-free or light mozzarella to keep the dish lighter but still flavorful.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on chicken breast size; ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- For extra flavor, consider adding fresh thyme or a splash of white wine to the sauce before baking.
Keywords: French onion chicken, baked chicken, easy chicken dinner, French onion soup recipe, mozzarella chicken bake
Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/french-onion-chicken-bake-recipe/
