French Onion Chicken Bake Recipe
This French Onion Chicken Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts smothered in a rich French onion soup sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this recipe combines simple seasoning, sautéed onions, and a creamy soup base for an easy yet impressive meal.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop and Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Chicken and Seasoning
- 6 (4oz) chicken breasts, raw
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Other Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Land o’ Lakes light butter made with canola oil
- 1 small yellow onion, peeled and sliced
- 1 (10oz) can French onion soup (Campbell’s suggested)
- ½ cup fat-free or light mozzarella cheese (Market Pantry reduced-fat mozzarella recommended)
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the chicken dish.
- Sauté Onions: Melt the butter in a skillet and add the sliced onions. Sauté them until they become translucent, which will take several minutes. Remove the onions from the skillet and set them aside.
- Season Chicken: Season each chicken breast evenly with paprika, garlic powder, and salt to build flavor.
- Brown Chicken: Turn the skillet heat to medium-high and spray the pan with cooking spray. Add the chicken breasts and brown them on both sides, about 5 minutes per side, to develop a golden crust.
- Add Onions and Soup: Return the sautéed onions to the skillet with the browned chicken. Open the can of French onion soup and pour it over the chicken and onions. Cook on the stovetop for about 5 minutes until the soup thickens slightly and the chicken is well coated with the sauce.
- Prepare for Baking: If using a cast-iron skillet, evenly spread the mozzarella cheese over each chicken breast and place the skillet directly in the preheated oven. If you do not have a cast-iron skillet, transfer the chicken, onions, and sauce into a baking dish and then distribute the cheese evenly on top.
- Bake: Bake the dish for 15 to 20 minutes in the oven, or until the mozzarella cheese melts completely and the sauce is bubbly and boiling.
Notes
- Use a cast-iron skillet if available for even heat distribution and fewer dishes to clean.
- Choosing fat-free or light mozzarella helps reduce the fat content without compromising melting quality.
- To add more depth of flavor, consider adding freshly cracked black pepper or fresh thyme with the onions.
- Ensure chicken breasts are about 4 ounces each for consistent cooking times.
- For a lower sodium option, use a reduced-sodium French onion soup or make your own.
Keywords: French onion chicken bake, chicken breast recipe, comfort food, easy dinner, baked chicken with cheese, French onion soup