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French Onion Chicken Casserole

A delightful and creamy chicken casserole topped with crispy fried onions and packed with comforting flavors.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the casserole
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter For a rich, buttery base.
  • 3 large sweet onions, thinly sliced Brings a sweet and aromatic flavor.
  • to taste salt and black pepper
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth Add while cooking onions for deglazing.
  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts Approximately 6 ounces each.
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano For seasoning.
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder For seasoning.
  • 1 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt For creaminess.
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese Adds depth of flavor.
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup For a creamy texture.
  • 1 cup shredded Swiss, Gruyere, or mozzarella cheese (optional) For an extra cheesy layer.
  • 1 (6 oz) container French fried onions To top off the casserole.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
  2. In a very large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions and cook for about 5-7 minutes until they soften. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until they are caramelized. If necessary, add in 1/4 cup of chicken broth to deglaze the pan.
  4. While the onions are cooking, season the chicken breasts with additional salt and pepper, oregano, and garlic powder. Arrange them in the prepared baking dish.
  5. Mix together the sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and cream of chicken soup in a bowl until creamy.
  6. Spread the caramelized onions evenly over the chicken in the baking dish. Dollop the creamy mixture over the onions and gently spread it into an even layer. If using Swiss, Gruyere, or mozzarella cheese, sprinkle generously on top.
Baking
  1. Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165 degrees F). Adjust cooking time for larger chicken breasts.
  2. Top the casserole with French fried onions and return to the oven for an additional 3-5 minutes to crisp the onions.
  3. Once done, take it out of the oven and serve hot.

Notes

Caramelizing onions longer enhances sweetness. Consider adding fresh herbs like thyme or parsley before serving for freshness. Experiment with different spices or cheeses for unique flavors. This dish can be made in a double batch for leftovers.