Description
This Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken recipe combines tender, butterflied chicken breasts stuffed with a savory mix of caramelized onions and melted cheeses. Cooked in a single skillet with rich pan juices, this dish offers a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For Caramelized Onions:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 5-6 large onions, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
- a pinch each of salt and pepper
For Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butterflied
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or gruyere cheese
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup chicken or beef stock
- a few sprigs of fresh thyme
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the thinly sliced onions, fresh thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir regularly and cook slowly until the onions turn a deep golden brown and develop a rich, sweet flavor, about 25 minutes.
- Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella or gruyere cheese with the grated parmesan. Carefully butterfly each chicken breast and stuff them evenly with the cheese mixture and a generous amount of the caramelized onions. Secure each stuffed chicken breast with toothpicks to keep the filling inside during cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In the same skillet used for the onions, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and brown the stuffed chicken breasts on both sides until golden, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet temporarily, add any remaining caramelized onions and the chicken or beef stock to the pan, stirring to combine and deglaze the skillet. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, placing them on top of the onions and stock, and place the pan in the oven to bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Carefully remove the toothpicks, plate the stuffed chicken breasts, and spoon the onions and pan juices over the top. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Make sure to properly secure the filled chicken breasts with toothpicks to prevent the filling from spilling out during cooking.
- You can customize the cheese blend to your preference, using mozzarella, gruyere, or parmesan individually or combined.
- Adjust the baking time based on the thickness of the chicken breasts to ensure they are fully cooked and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
