French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole
A comforting casserole combining French onion soup flavors with tender orzo pasta and shredded chicken, topped with melty cheese and aromatic herbs.
Ingredients
For the Casserole
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 large yellow onions (thinly sliced)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works well)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half and half for lighter option)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce or balsamic glaze (optional for added depth)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the sliced onions, sugar, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are caramelized and golden brown (about 20-25 minutes).
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
Mixing
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked onions, orzo pasta, shredded chicken, dried thyme, black pepper, chicken broth, and heavy cream.
- Fold in 1 cup of mozzarella and all of the Parmesan cheese.
Baking
- Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Add a splash of white wine to the onions for extra flavor. Customize with different proteins, like turkey or tofu for a vegetarian option. Serve with fresh herbs, like parsley or thyme, for fresh flavor and color.