French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole – A Rich, Cheesy, One-Pot Comfort Classic
A rich, creamy French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole made with caramelized onions, tender chicken, orzo pasta, and melted cheese for the ultimate comforting one-pan dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Casserole / Baked
- Cuisine: American-French Fusion
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1½ cups orzo pasta
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Melt butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Cook onions with sugar and salt for 20–25 minutes until caramelized.
- Add garlic and sauté 1–2 minutes.
- Stir in orzo and toast for 2 minutes.
- Add chicken, thyme, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Pour in broth and cream; bring to a simmer.
- Cover and cook 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender.
- Stir in 1 cup mozzarella and Parmesan until creamy.
- Top with remaining mozzarella and bake at 375°F for 10–15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Notes
- Caramelizing onions slowly builds deep flavor.
- Stir often to prevent orzo from sticking.