Description
A hearty and flavorful French Onion Chicken Casserole combining tender chicken, aromatic onions, and melted cheese baked with rice in a rich French onion soup and broth base, topped with crispy fried onions for the perfect texture contrast.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 10.5 ounces can Campbell’s French Onion Soup
- 14.5 ounces can chicken or beef broth, regular or low-sodium
- 1 1/2 cups long grain rice, rinsed and drained
- 1/4 cup butter, cut into slices
- 2 to 2 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 1/2-inch thick
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese, mozzarella or an Italian cheese blend
- 1 ounce packet Lipton Onion Soup mix
- 1 cup French’s Crispy Fried Onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the casserole evenly.
- Mix Ingredients: In a 13”x9” baking dish, whisk together the thinly sliced onion, French onion soup, chicken or beef broth, and rinsed rice ensuring they are well combined.
- Assemble Casserole: Evenly disperse butter slices on top of the mixture, then layer the chicken pieces over it. Sprinkle shredded cheese and the Lipton Onion Soup mix evenly on top.
- Bake Covered: Tightly cover the dish with aluminum foil to trap the steam, then bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes to cook rice and chicken through.
- Add Crispy Onions: Carefully remove the foil and evenly distribute the French’s Crispy Fried Onions on top to add texture and flavor.
- Finish Baking: Return the casserole uncovered to the oven and bake an additional 15 minutes to crisp the fried onions and melt the cheese fully. Confirm the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F using a meat thermometer for food safety.
Notes
- For a crockpot version, reduce rice to 1 to 1 1/4 cups rinsed long-grain white rice; cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours covered, then add crispy onions at the end.
- The baking dish must be securely covered with foil to trap steam for proper rice cooking.
- You may substitute homemade French onion soup for canned if preferred.
- Season chicken to your liking; the recipe’s flavors come mainly from cheese, onion soup mix, and French onion soup.
- Optionally, sear chicken in a skillet 1-2 minutes per side before baking to add flavor; baking time may reduce slightly.
- Chicken thighs or breasts can be used; ensure chicken thickness is about 1/2-inch and internal temp reaches 165°F.
- Homemade Lipton Onion Soup Mix can be made by combining 2 ½ tablespoons dried minced onion, 4 crumbled beef bouillon cubes, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ⅛ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper.
- Add crispy fried onions only at the end of baking to keep them crisp and flavorful.
