Description
Hearty French onion chicken brings classic French bistro comfort straight to dinner tables with caramelized onions and melted gruyère draped over tender chicken breasts. Rich flavors and simple ingredients create a soulful meal you’ll want to savor slowly and share with loved ones.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) chicken breasts, sliced into 6 thinner pieces
Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken broth, divided
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sherry cooking wine
- Olive oil spray
Vegetable, Seasoning, and Topping:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) onions, thinly sliced
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 6 slices ultra-thin or reduced-fat Swiss cheese
- Fresh thyme, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare chicken by slicing into six delicate portions, then generously season both surfaces with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor profile.
- Position a skillet over medium-high thermal intensity and lightly coat with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
- Carefully position chicken pieces into the heated vessel, allowing each side to transform into a golden-brown landscape, approximately 2-3 minutes per surface. Transfer cooked chicken to a temporary holding plate.
- Within the same culinary vessel, reintroduce olive oil spray and deposit thinly sliced onions, covering with a tight-fitting lid to initiate steaming process.
- After 5 minutes, unveil the lid and gently manipulate onions, introducing chicken broth to deglaze the pan’s intricate surfaces.
- Continue the caramelization ritual by alternating between broth absorption and lid coverage, patiently transforming onions into a rich, mahogany-hued delicacy over 30-40 minutes.
- Introduce sherry wine, stirring to integrate flavors and allowing liquid to simmer and concentrate its essence.
- Reunite chicken with the luxurious onion landscape, meticulously coating each piece with the caramelized mixture.
- Crown each chicken portion with Swiss cheese, creating a melting canvas of potential deliciousness.
- Transfer the skillet beneath broiler flames, monitoring closely as cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden masterpiece within 2-3 minutes.
- Optional: Scatter fresh thyme across the surface for an aromatic flourish before presenting this culinary creation.
Notes
- Slice chicken evenly to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help achieve a better golden-brown sear and crispy exterior.
- Use a heavy-bottomed skillet for even heat distribution and perfect caramelization of onions.
- Low and slow caramelization develops deep, rich flavor without burning the onions.
- Allow sufficient time for onions to break down and release natural sugars during cooking process.
- Choose a dry sherry wine for authentic French flavor profile and balanced sweetness.
- Swiss cheese can be substituted with Gruyère for more traditional French onion taste.
- Gluten-free option: Confirm all broth and wine are certified gluten-free before preparing.
- Reduce cooking time for lighter meal by using thin-sliced chicken breasts.
- Fresh thyme adds aromatic herbal notes but can be replaced with dried thyme if needed.
- For lower-fat version, use skinless chicken breast and minimal olive oil spray.
- Vegetarian adaptation possible by replacing chicken with portobello mushroom steaks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg