Description
French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole is a cozy, cheesy, one-dish meal made with caramelized onions, tender chicken, creamy orzo, and a topping of Gruyère and Parmesan. It’s rich, comforting, and perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups cooked, shredded or diced chicken
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup milk or cream
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme (dried or fresh)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes until deeply caramelized. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add orzo and toast for 2 minutes. Stir in cooked chicken, broth, milk, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top evenly with Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
- Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Substitute orzo with rice or small pasta shapes if preferred.
- Add a little sour cream or cream cheese for extra creaminess before baking.
- Make vegetarian by omitting chicken and adding sautéed mushrooms.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 530mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
