Description
This French Onion Chicken and Rice Bake is a comforting, flavorful one-dish meal combining tender chicken thighs, savory French onion soup, and perfectly cooked rice. Topped with melted Gruyere cheese and crispy onion topping, it’s an easy casserole that brings the rich taste of French onion soup in a family-friendly baked dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 cups White rice
- 1 cup Beef broth
- 2 cups Chicken broth
- 1 Onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 packet French Onion soup mix
- 6 Chicken Thighs
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- 4 tablespoons Butter
- 4 ounces Shredded Gruyere cheese or Swiss cheese
- 1 cup Crispy onion topping
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Add base ingredients: Place the thinly sliced onions, white rice, beef broth, chicken broth, and the packet of French onion soup mix into the baking dish and stir slightly to combine.
- Arrange chicken thighs: Nestle the chicken thighs on top of the rice and broth mixture, ensuring each piece is partially submerged.
- Season the chicken: In a small bowl, whisk together garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly over the chicken thighs for ample flavor.
- Add butter slices: Cut the butter into 8 equal slices and distribute them evenly over the chicken and rice mixture for added richness.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, allowing the rice to cook and the chicken to become tender.
- Add cheese and crispy onion topping: After baking, carefully remove the foil, sprinkle shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese on top, then add the crispy onion topping evenly over the cheese layer.
- Final bake: Return the dish to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve hot for a delicious, hearty meal.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken thighs are skin-on for best flavor and juiciness.
- You can substitute beef broth with additional chicken broth if preferred.
- Use Swiss cheese as an alternative to Gruyere for a slightly milder taste.
- To make it gluten-free, verify that the French onion soup mix and crispy onion topping are gluten-free or substitute with gluten-free alternatives.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated well covered.
- For extra crispiness, broil the dish for 1-2 minutes after adding the crispy onion topping instead of baking, but watch carefully to avoid burning.
