If you’re searching for a dinner that tastes like a cozy, elegant restaurant meal but requires minimal effort and cleanup, look no further. This Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken Recipe delivers everything you love about classic French onion soup nestled inside juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken breasts—all baked together for maximum flavor. It’s a hearty, melt-in-your-mouth dish with caramelized onions, bubbling cheese, and savory pan juices, but it’s simple enough for even a busy weeknight. Let’s turn your kitchen into a bistro tonight!
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes this Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken Recipe shine is how each simple ingredient is thoughtfully chosen—there’s nothing fussy here, just a handful of pantry staples working together to create magic. Here’s why each component matters:
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: These act as the perfect vessel for all that gooey cheese and luscious onion filling.
- Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of both the chicken and the caramelized onions.
- Black pepper: Adds just the right amount of gentle heat and balance.
- Garlic powder: Infuses the chicken with warmth and depth without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Olive oil: Ensures a golden sear on the chicken while helping the onions turn perfectly soft and sweet.
- Yellow onions (thinly sliced): The star of the show—when caramelized, they provide that signature rich and savory sweetness.
- Balsamic vinegar: Lifts the flavor of the onions, giving them beautiful depth and tanginess.
- Fresh thyme (or dried thyme): Adds savory, earthy notes that make the dish taste fresh and aromatic.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully and brings all the ingredients together inside the chicken pocket.
- Shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese: A classic pairing with caramelized onions, giving that nutty, sophisticated finish.
- Low-sodium beef broth: Creates a luscious pan sauce that keeps the chicken moist and flavorful.
- Fresh parsley (optional): A pop of color and freshness to finish the dish with style.
How to Make Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Season the Chicken
Start by using a sharp knife to carefully slice a pocket into the side of each chicken breast. Try not to cut all the way through—you want to create a sturdy space for all that savory goodness. Once your pockets are ready, season both sides of the chicken generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. This quick seasoning ensures every bite will be packed with flavor, even before they hit the pan.
Step 2: Caramelize the Onions
Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add your thinly sliced yellow onions and let them cook, stirring often, for about 10–15 minutes. You’re looking for deep golden, soft, and sweet onions (trust the process—it’s worth the wait!). Once your onions are gloriously caramelized, stir in the balsamic vinegar and thyme. This simple addition wakes up the onions, making them totally irresistible. Scoot about half the onions into a bowl—these will be going right into your chicken pockets.
Step 3: Stuff the Chicken
Now for the fun part! Gently stuff each chicken breast pocket with a generous scoop of those fragrant caramelized onions and a hearty handful of both mozzarella and Gruyère cheese. If the filling tries to sneak out, secure each stuffed chicken breast with toothpicks. This step is where the Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken Recipe becomes pure comfort food magic.
Step 4: Sear for Flavor
In the same skillet (no need to wipe it out—the onion fond is flavor gold!), carefully nestle in your stuffed chicken breasts. Sear them for 2–3 minutes per side over medium heat until they’re a gorgeous golden brown. This not only locks in the juices but also adds beautiful color and texture to the outside.
Step 5: Add Onions and Broth, Then Bake
Add the rest of your caramelized onions around the chicken in the skillet, then pour in the beef broth. The broth will create a steam bath in the oven, keeping everything ultra juicy and ensuring your pan sauce is ready to spoon over at the end. Pop the skillet into your preheated oven and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is temptingly melty.
Step 6: Finish and Serve
Once out of the oven, you can scatter a bit more cheese over the top and let it melt (because, why not?). Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving. Sprinkle over that fresh parsley if you like a touch of green. Revel in the aroma—it’s dinner time!
How to Serve Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
A generous sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley is my go-to for finishing this dish. It adds a pop of color and a burst of fresh flavor that beautifully balances the richness of the cheesy, oniony filling. For a little extra flair, a few thyme sprigs or even a drizzle of aged balsamic can make the Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken Recipe look and taste restaurant-worthy.
Side Dishes
Pair this gorgeous main with a simple side salad or steamed green beans to keep things fresh and light. If you’re in the mood for something a bit heartier, roasted potatoes or buttery mashed cauliflower will happily soak up all those savory pan juices. Crusty bread is always a winner if you want to mop up every drop of that oniony, cheesy sauce!
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try slicing each stuffed chicken breast on a diagonal and fanning out the pieces atop a bed of fluffy rice or creamy polenta. Serve it family-style in the skillet, or plate individually with an extra spoonful of pan sauce over the top. However you present it, the Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken Recipe will absolutely steal the show.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have some) can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making reheated portions just as delicious!
Freezing
You can freeze leftover stuffed chicken breasts for up to 2 months. Let them cool completely, then wrap each breast tightly in plastic wrap and foil before popping them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best texture.
Reheating
To reheat, place the stuffed chicken (and any sauce) in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake at 325°F (160°C) until warmed through, around 20 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions, but covering with a damp paper towel helps prevent the meat from drying out.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well with this Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken Recipe. Just adjust stuffing amounts and cooking times as needed, as thighs may cook faster.
What cheese substitutions work best?
Provolone and fontina are fantastic melty options if you don’t have Gruyère or Swiss on hand. Even sharp white cheddar can make the filling extra flavorful, so don’t be afraid to get creative with your cheese drawer!
How do I know when the chicken is cooked through?
Use a meat thermometer—your chicken is perfect at 165°F (74°C) at the center. The juices should run clear, and the cheese inside will be deliciously melted.
Can this be made dairy-free?
Yes! There are several plant-based mozzarella and Swiss-style cheese alternatives available. Make sure to choose a dairy-free cheese that melts well, and the rest of the recipe remains unchanged.
What’s the best skillet to use for this recipe?
A large oven-safe skillet—like cast iron or heavy stainless steel—is ideal for browning and then transitioning directly to the oven. If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer everything to a baking dish after searing.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just craving a cozy meal for yourself, the Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken Recipe is guaranteed to satisfy. Give it a try, share it with friends, and watch it become a new favorite at your table!
Print
Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One Pan, Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken Recipe is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for a cozy dinner at home. Juicy chicken breasts are stuffed with caramelized onions and two types of cheese, then baked to perfection in a flavorful broth. The result is a savory and cheesy chicken dish that is sure to impress!
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Onion Filling:
- 2 large yellow onions (thinly sliced)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
Cheese:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
Other:
- 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
- Fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare Chicken: Slice a pocket into each chicken breast. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Caramelize Onions: In a skillet, cook onions until caramelized. Reserve half for stuffing.
- Stuff Chicken: Fill each chicken breast with onions and cheese. Secure with toothpicks if needed.
- Sear Chicken: Sear stuffed chicken in the skillet.
- Add Broth: Add remaining onions and broth to the skillet.
- Bake: Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 20–25 minutes.
- Rest and Serve: Let chicken rest, garnish with parsley, and serve.
Notes
- Marinate chicken for extra flavor before cooking.
- Provolone or fontina cheese can be used as alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 48g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
