Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Bone-in, skin-on thighs are fantastic—they add extra flavor and stay super juicy. Just increase the cooking time by about 5 minutes to ensure they’re fully cooked.

How do I prevent the cheese from burning under the broiler?

Stay close and watch it like a hawk! I set a timer for 1 minute and check it every 30 seconds after that. Pull it out as soon as the cheese is bubbly with just a few golden spots—it’ll continue to cook a bit even after you remove it.

Can I make this French onion chicken ahead of time?

You can caramelize the onions and season the chicken ahead, but I recommend assembling and broiling it just before serving. The cheese tastes best fresh and melty!

What if I don’t have a cast-iron skillet?

No worries! Any oven-safe skillet will work. If your pan isn’t broiler-safe, transfer everything to a baking dish before adding the cheese and broiling.

Can I use pre-shredded cheese?

You can, but freshly grated cheese melts smoother and tastes better. Pre-shredded cheese often has anti-caking agents that can make it grainy when melted.

French Onion Chicken Recipe in Just 40 Minutes

Name: French Onion Chicken Recipe in Just 40 Minutes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 2 large onions, thinly sliced; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp thyme; 1 cup beef broth; 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Description

A savory dish combining tender chicken with caramelized onions and melted cheese.

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 large onions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp thyme
1 cup beef broth
1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Add onions and cook until caramelized, about 15 minutes.
Season chicken with salt, pepper, and thyme.
Push onions to the side and add chicken to the skillet.
Cook chicken for 5 minutes per side.
Pour beef broth into the skillet.
Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Sprinkle Gruyère and Parmesan cheese on top.
Broil for 2 minutes until cheese melts.
Serve hot.

Notes

Use a cast-iron skillet for best results.
Caramelize onions slowly for deeper flavor.
Substitute Swiss cheese if Gruyère is unavailable.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: French