Name: French Onion Chicken with Melted Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Cuisine: French-American
Ingredients: 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts; Salt & pepper, to taste; 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning; ½ tablespoon garlic powder; ½ cup flour; ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon butter (salted or unsalted); 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 3 yellow onions (about 1.5 lbs), sliced; 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce; 1 teaspoon dried rosemary; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; ¼ teaspoon ground sage; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons flour; 1 cup beef broth; 1 cup chicken broth; 1 beef bouillon cube; 2 cups mozzarella cheese (or provolone/gruyere)

Jump to Recipe·4 from 14 reviews

If you adore the rich, comforting flavors of French onion soup but want to enjoy them in a hearty, satisfying dinner, then this French Onion Chicken with Melted Cheese Recipe is absolutely for you. Imagine tender, juicy chicken breasts enveloped in a deeply savory, caramelized onion sauce, all crowned with a golden layer of bubbling melted cheese. It’s the perfect marriage of classic French flavors and comforting home-style cooking that will have your kitchen smelling irresistible and your taste buds singing for more.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a white plate with five flattened raw chicken pieces spread out to cover most of the plate. Each piece has a pale pink color with some visible texture from the meat’s grain. All pieces are sprinkled evenly with a mixture of black pepper and dried herbs, giving a speckled look of dark green and black over the light pink chicken. The white plate sits on a white marbled surface, creating a clean and simple background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Every ingredient in this French Onion Chicken with Melted Cheese Recipe plays a crucial role. From the tender chicken breasts forming the foundation, to the sweet, slow-cooked onions creating depth, and finishing with ooey-gooey melted cheese for that luscious finale. Let’s dive into the essentials that ensure each bite is packed with flavor and texture.

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Easy to find and perfect for even cooking.
Salt & pepper: The basics that elevate every dish with balanced seasoning.
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning: Adds a fragrant herbal note that pairs beautifully with onion and cheese.
½ tablespoon garlic powder: Brings subtle warmth and depth without overpowering.
½ cup flour: For dredging the chicken to get a golden, crispy crust.
¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese: Infuses nutty richness right in the coating.
3 tablespoons olive oil: Provides a fruity, smooth base for searing and caramelizing.
1 tablespoon butter: Adds luscious creaminess and helps develop caramelized layers.
2 tablespoons unsalted butter: For slow-cooking the onions to perfect softness.
3 yellow onions (about 1.5 lbs), sliced: The heart of the dish, bringing natural sweetness and depth.
1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce: Adds umami and balances sweet onions with savory undertones.
1 teaspoon dried rosemary: A fragrant, piney herb that pairs well with poultry.
1 teaspoon dried thyme: Earthy and subtle, enhancing the overall flavor harmony.
¼ teaspoon ground sage: Adds warm, slightly peppery tones.
3 cloves garlic, minced: Gives the sauce a fresh garlic punch.
2 tablespoons flour: Helps thicken the rich French onion-style sauce.
1 cup beef broth: Brings complexity and a slight beefy depth to the sauce.
1 cup chicken broth: Lightens and balances the sauce’s savory profile.
1 beef bouillon cube: Concentrates flavor and complements the stock bases.
2 cups mozzarella cheese (or provolone/gruyere): Melts beautifully for that irresistible gooey topping.

How to Make French Onion Chicken with Melted Cheese Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by slicing your chicken breasts into thinner pieces to ensure they cook evenly and remain tender. Pounding them to about ¼ inch thick makes for quick, uniform cooking. Once pounded, season generously with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder to build a flavor-packed base. Then, dredge the chicken in a mix of flour and Parmesan cheese — this will give you that crisp yet cheesy crust when seared. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet, then sear chicken about 3 minutes on each side until beautifully golden. Don’t rush — that golden crust locks in the juicy goodness. Once done, set the chicken aside and loosely tent with foil because it will finish cooking in the oven later.

Step 2: Caramelize the Onions

The secret to this French Onion Chicken with Melted Cheese Recipe is in the deeply caramelized onions. Slice onions into even ¼-inch thick pieces for consistent cooking. Melt butter and olive oil in the same skillet you used for the chicken; scrape up those irresistible browned bits as they pack serious flavor. Add your onions and toss to coat in the flavorful fat. Let them soften for about 5 minutes before adding soy sauce and herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage. Cover and reduce the heat to low to cook the onions gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally so none stick or burn. Then uncover and crank the heat back up to medium for another 10 minutes of caramelizing—this step introduces that signature sweet, jammy richness.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

Preheat your oven to a roaring 475°F to prepare for the final bake. To your caramelized onions, stir in minced garlic and cook just a minute to awaken its aroma. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and toss well, cooking for 1–2 minutes to eliminate that raw flour taste. Now pour in your chicken and beef broths, crumble in the bouillon cube, and bring everything to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. The sauce will thicken and intensify in flavor over 3–5 minutes, transforming into a luscious French onion-style sauce that’s rich, savory, and utterly comforting.

Step 4: Bake

If your skillet isn’t oven-safe, no worries — transfer the sauce and onions into a baking dish. Gently nestle the seared chicken back into the sauce and generously layer the mozzarella or your cheese of choice on top. Pop it into the hot oven for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese on top is melted, bubbling, and golden brown. The cheese melts into the sauce, creating an irresistible, creamy blanket over the succulent chicken. Once baked, garnish with fresh thyme for a fresh herbal contrast before serving.

How to Serve French Onion Chicken with Melted Cheese Recipe

The dish shows a white plate filled with three main parts. On the left, three browned cooked pieces covered in thick brown gravy with visible bits of cooked onion and sprinkled with small green parsley leaves. On the right side, there is a creamy white mashed layer with smooth texture topped with more brown onion gravy. At the top, bright green cooked green beans are arranged in a neat row. A spoon with a black and silver handle is placed resting on the plate’s edge, touching the mashed layer. The plate is on a round wooden board with a white marbled surface underneath. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh herbs elevate the dish beautifully — a sprinkle of fresh thyme or parsley adds a pop of green and a touch of brightness against the rich, cheesy sauce. A light drizzle of good-quality olive oil just before serving can lend a subtle fruity finish, tying all the flavors together beautifully.

Side Dishes

This dish calls for simple, hearty sides that soak up that glorious sauce. Creamy mashed potatoes, garlic roasted veggies, or even a crusty baguette make perfect companions. A crisp green salad dressed with a tangy vinaigrette will balance the richness and add refreshing contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, serve individual portions in mini cast iron skillets or oven-safe ramekins topped with melted cheese and an herb garnish. You could also slice the chicken and arrange it over polenta or buttery egg noodles, spooning that incredible sauce over top for a rustic yet elegant presentation that will wow guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover French Onion Chicken with Melted Cheese Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The chicken continues to absorb the sauce flavors, making each bite even more flavorful when reheated.

Freezing

This dish freezes well if you want to save leftovers for later. Freeze in a freezer-safe, airtight container for up to 2 months. To prevent sogginess, consider freezing the chicken and sauce separately from the cheese topping and add fresh cheese when reheating.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently in an oven preheated to 350°F until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. Add a little broth if the sauce has thickened too much. You can use a microwave in a pinch, but the oven will better preserve the texture and flavor balance.

FAQs

Can I use different cheeses for the melted topping?

Absolutely! While mozzarella offers that classic stretch and mild flavor, provolone or Gruyere both provide wonderful meltability and add distinct, sophisticated flavors that complement the French onion sauce beautifully.

Is it necessary to use both beef and chicken broth?

Using both broths builds layers of flavor – beef broth gives a richer, deeper umami punch while chicken broth keeps the sauce light and balanced. You can substitute with all chicken broth, but the depth may be slightly less pronounced.

Can this recipe be made gluten-free?

Yes! Simply swap regular flour for a gluten-free all-purpose blend both for dredging the chicken and thickening the sauce. Ensure your broth and bouillon are gluten-free as well to keep the dish safe.

How do I know when the onions are perfectly caramelized?

The onions should be golden brown, very soft, slightly jammy, and smell sweet and rich without burning. They’ll have reduced significantly in volume and develop a silky texture that’s key for the sauce.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

You can omit the cheese or use a dairy-free cheese alternative. For butter and Parmesan, substitute with plant-based spreads and nutritional yeast to maintain some richness and umami without dairy.

Final Thoughts

There is something truly magical about this French Onion Chicken with Melted Cheese Recipe. It takes humble ingredients like onions and chicken and transforms them into an elegant, comforting meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just treating yourself, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that brings a little French flair to your everyday cooking. Don’t be surprised if it soon becomes one of your absolute favorites to make again and again!

French Onion Chicken with Melted Cheese Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need