Description
A comforting and flavor-packed casserole that combines caramelized onions, creamy sauce, orzo pasta, and tender shredded chicken for a delicious weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta, uncooked
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce or balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter with 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced onions, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir and cover, cooking on low heat for 15-20 minutes until soft.
- Uncover and continue cooking for 45-60 minutes on medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until deeply golden brown. Transfer to a bowl, reserving any browned bits.
- In the same pot, add minced garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds. Pour in 1/2 cup of chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to dissolve browned bits, and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Whisk in 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth, bringing to a gentle simmer. Add dried thyme and return the shredded chicken and two-thirds of caramelized onions. Stir and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the uncooked orzo and 1 cup of heavy cream. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until orzo is partially cooked.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour the chicken and orzo mixture into the dish, topping with the remaining onions, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and cheese is golden brown. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For meal prep, assemble the casserole a day in advance and bake just before serving. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: casserole, chicken, orzo, French onion, comfort food