Description
Succulent chicken breasts embrace hearty French onion soup flavors in this irresistible French Onion Stuffed Chicken dish. Rich caramelized onions and melted gruyère cheese create a mouthwatering experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 large yellow onions (thinly sliced)
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Cooking Fats and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons (29 grams) butter
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) beef broth (optional, for extra flavor)
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Create a flavor foundation by gently melting butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, developing a smooth cooking base.
- Introduce sliced onions with a delicate salt sprinkle, allowing them to transform slowly for 25-30 minutes until achieving a rich, mahogany-like caramelization through patient, consistent stirring.
- During the final cooking moments, infuse thyme leaves and beef broth to elevate the onion’s depth and release any concentrated pan essence.
- Remove caramelized onions from heat, permitting a brief cooling period to stabilize their intense flavor profile.
- Combine the cooled onion mixture with Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses, creating a luxurious filling with complementary textures.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F, establishing an ideal roasting environment for the chicken.
- Utilizing a precise knife technique, delicately carve a discreet pocket within each chicken breast without compromising structural integrity.
- Generously season the chicken’s interior and exterior surfaces with salt and pepper, ensuring comprehensive flavor distribution.
- Carefully nestle the French onion cheese mixture into each chicken pocket, maintaining a balanced filling that prevents overflow.
- Strategically secure the pocket openings with toothpicks if necessary to preserve the filling’s placement.
- Heat additional oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high temperature, preparing for a golden sear.
- Sear the stuffed chicken breasts approximately 3-4 minutes per side, developing a rich, caramelized exterior.
- Transfer the skillet directly into the preheated oven, roasting for 15-20 minutes until chicken reaches a safe 165°F internal temperature.
Notes
- Patience is key when caramelizing onions, so maintain low heat and stir occasionally to prevent burning while developing deep, rich flavors.
- For a lighter version, substitute half the butter with chicken broth and use low-fat cheese to reduce overall calories without compromising taste.
- Ensure chicken is thoroughly butterfly-cut to create an even pocket, preventing filling from leaking during cooking and maintaining a beautiful presentation.
- Consider preparing caramelized onion filling ahead of time, as it can be refrigerated for 2-3 days, making meal prep more convenient and efficient.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg