Meals With Maria

French Onion Chicken – Big Flavors, Low Cost!

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This French Onion Chicken recipe, was originally crafted for a $20 date night but it’s perfect for any special occasion, including your Christmas dinner.

How To Make French Onion Chicken

Begin by slicing and caramelizing two to three onions, infusing them with a rich depth of flavor. Caramelized onions require patience. They need to be cooked low and slow for up to 30 minutes to develop a melt in your mouth texture and deep flavor. If you try to cook them at a higher heat, faster, they are likely to burn and not provide the flavor they are destined for. Consider adding a touch of balsamic vinegar for an extra layer of sophistication, though it’s entirely optional.

Prepare your chicken by dredging it in a delightful flour mixture featuring paprika, pepper, and salt. Sear the chicken in oil or bacon fat until it boasts a golden-brown exterior, ensuring a burst of flavor in every bite.

As the final act approaches, mix chicken broth with a tablespoon of the flour mixture and introduce it to the pan. Once the chicken is cooked through, layer on those caramelized onions, and sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese. Cover the pan and let the cheese melt into a gooey, bubbly perfection.

Why I love French Onion Chicken

Caramelized Onion is such a budget friendly delight. Every time I make caramelized onions, I feel so gourmet! The truth is, onions are a great way to elevate any dish without spending a lot. Inexpensive chicken thighs paired with the onions and of course cheese create a dish that is just delightful for less than $10 for the whole thing.

What To Serve With French Onion Chicken

When I serve this I like to roast up some potatoes and serve it with a green vegetable like green beans or asparagus. Here are some simple recipes I recommend to go with this dish that are sure to please:

Make it Healthier:

I’m always looking for new ways to add veggies to my dishes. Here are some ideas to add more nutrients to this dish:

  • Serve this dish with cauliflower rice instead of a carbohydrate.
  • If you aren’t into cauliflower rice, ancient grains, such as quinoa, are a good idea too.
  • I highly recommend serving this with the Roasted Asparagus mentioned above but adding any veggie side will automatically make this meal healthier!

Make it Kid Friendly:

I always recommend you adjust recipes based on what your family likes. If your kids or even other family members are weary of this dish here are some swap recommendations to get them trying new things without serving a completely different dish:

  • Leave the onions off for the littles. I still recommend serving a few on the side and offering them what I call a “no thank you bite.” This encourages them to try the food without the need to finish a whole portion.
  • Offer a familiar dipping sauce such as ranch dressing or ketchup
  • Choose a vegetable side that your kids like. It’s great to try new things but if there is one or a few veggie sides you know they enjoy, rotate those best you can to ensure optimal nutrition. 
  • Don’t forget the Parmesan cheese! I feel like my kids will eat almost anything, if I put Parmesan cheese on it. 

Swap Ideas:

  • You can easily swap out chicken thighs for thin sliced chicken breasts or even steak!
  • You can also use bone in chicken thighs, I recommend roasting them at 400 degrees in the oven for 35 minutes until internal temp reaches 170 then add the caramelized onions and cheese and cook for 10 more minutes until the cheese is melted and the internal temp of the chicken reaches 180 degrees.
  • If you don’t have yellow onion, try it with red onion, that’s just as delicious!
  • You can always swap out butter for oil and vice versa.
  • Chicken broth can always be swapped for chicken bouillon and water. If you’re in a bind with neither, water and a pinch of salt will do.

Shopping Tips:

  • Stock up on your favorite meats when they go on sale and freeze them. In this case, boneless skinless chicken thighs are what you’re looking for.
  • If you don’t have anything in your freezer and boneless thighs are not on sale, opt for bone in or chicken breasts (per the swaps above), if they are less expensive.
  • I always aim to have onions on hand because they add so much flavor to a meal for very little cost. I try to find 3 pounds or more in sale for $1.99-$2.99.
  • Block and shredded cheese can be frozen so if you find a good deal on mozzarella, stocking up and freezing it might not be a bad idea.
  • Always look at unit price for cheese, the blocks are often less expensive per pound than shredded and shredding at home just makes better cheese anyway.

As always, please share your own recommendations on how to make this dish healthier, more kid friendly, swap ideas, and budget shopping tips in the comments!

FOR MORE INEXPENSIVE FAMILY RECIPES CHECK OUT THESE VIDEOS:

MORE WEEKNIGHT RECIPES TO TRY:

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french onion chicken in a pan

French Onion Chicken

  • Author: Maria Ronan
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x
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Description

ndulge in the exquisite flavors of French Onion Chicken—a culinary masterpiece featuring caramelized onions, bacon-infused green beans, and perfectly seared chicken thighs. This savory delight is a perfect addition to any dinner table, offering a taste of sophistication without breaking the budget

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2–3 large onions, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1–2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (optional)
  • 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons of bacon fat, butter, or oil
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

  1. Caramelize the Onions:

    • Heat a pan over low heat, add vegetable oil.
    • Add sliced onions and cook until soft and golden brown, approximately 20-30 minutes.
    • Optionally, add balsamic vinegar to the onions when you add them to the pan.

  2. Prepare the Chicken:

    • In a bowl, mix flour, paprika, salt, and pepper.
    • Dredge chicken thighs in the flour mixture, ensuring full coverage.

  3. Sear the Chicken:

    • In the bacon fat, butter, or oil, sear chicken thighs for 3-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.

  4. Create the Sauce:

    • Mix chicken broth with 1 tablespoon of the flour mixture.
    • Pour the mixture into the pan with seared chicken.

  5. Layer and Melt:

    • Top chicken with caramelized onions, then sprinkle mozzarella cheese.
    • Cover the pan and let it cook on low for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

  6. Serve with Style:

    • Plate the French Onion Chicken, ensuring each piece is topped with onions and melted cheese.
    • Optionally, garnish with fresh herbs like parsley.
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 30

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Maria Ronan is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Links on this site may include affiliate links to Amazon and its affiliate sites on which the owner of this website will make a referral commission. Thank you for supporting Meals With Maria! My videos and website are for entertainment purposes only. Any information related to food, food safety, cooking, recipes, etc. are my opinions only. Maria Ronan is not liable and/or responsible for any advice, services, or product you obtain through this video and website.