French Onion Chicken

Delicious French onion chicken makes a tasty dinner paired with your preferred side dishes. You can make this recipe in just half an hour.

Also consider apricot chicken, chicken fricassee, French onion gnocchi, onion soup with Italian cheese, or steak picado with pickled onions.

Why You’ll Love It

A speedy recipe: You can make this delicious chicken dish in just half an hour, making it ideal for one of those busy weeknights.
Tastes so good: The flavors in this easy chicken breast recipe are rich, bold and robust.
Easy to make: After browning the chicken in a skillet, you slow cook the onions and then add the sauce ingredients and then cook the whole thing in the oven until done.

French Onion Chicken Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Chicken breasts: I like to use boneless skinless chicken. You could use chicken thighs or tenderloin if you prefer. Just adjust the cooking time.
Italian seasoning: So good with chicken.
Dried onion soup mix: A versatile ingredient that can be used to make soup or other onion soup based dishes.
Ground paprika: Use sweet or smoked, as you prefer.
White onion: Use yellow onions instead if you want.
Chicken broth: For the sauce and to add moisture to the dish.
Cheese: Either gruyere cheese or parmesan cheese would work well in this recipe.

How to Make a French Onion Chicken Bake

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Brown the chicken breasts: Season the chicken breasts and then brown in butter in a skillet. Remove to a plate.
Caramelize the onions: Cook the onions in butter until soft and caramelized.
Add more ingredients: Add balsamic vinegar and minced garlic. Add chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the chicken back into the pan.
Bake in the oven: Sprinkle the cheese over the chicken and bake until the chicken is cooked through.

Substitutions and Variations

Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, use gluten-free onion soup mix (I like this one!)
Spice it up: Add chili powder, red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper before serving.
Make it deluxe: Add mushrooms or roasted tomatoes to the broth.
Make it kid-friendly: Chop the onions into smaller pieces and add some bacon bits when you’re slow cooking the onions.
Minced garlic: Use garlic powder instead.
Chicken broth: Swap for white wine (always good in French onion recipes). You could even use beef broth in your French onion sauce.
A tangy flavor: Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce.
Garnish: Add a sprig of fresh thyme if liked, or some fresh thyme leaves. A sprinkle of crispy fried onions would be good too, adding some crunch.

Serving Suggestions

Appetizers: Begin your meal with dirty martini shrimp or mac and cheese balls.
Side dishes: Good sides for French onion chicken include mashed red skin potatoes, rice or garlic bread, along with some vegetables such as garlic green beans or roasted acorn squash.
Desserts: Finish up with gingerbread cheesecake or homemade divinity candy.

How to Store French Onion Chicken Breasts

Store: Let any leftovers cool completely and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: Put your portion of the chicken breast in an air fryer-safe pan and air fry at 300°F for 5 minutes or until warmed up. You can also use the oven or microwave to reheat French onion chicken.