Description
Pioneer Woman French Onion Chicken Casserole brings comfort and elegance to dinner tables with layers of caramelized onions, tender chicken, and melted cheese. Hearty flavors blend perfectly, creating a satisfying meal that welcomes home cooks to enjoy a delightful culinary experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups chopped rotisserie chicken (skin removed)
- 1 (10 oz / 284 g) package cremini mushrooms, thickly sliced (about 3 cups)
- 5 medium onions, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
- 1 long baguette, sliced ½ inch thick
- 2 ½ cups (10 oz / 283 g) gruyère cheese, shredded
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 5 tbsps salted butter, plus extra for greasing baking dish
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 425°F and butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish thoroughly.
- Mushroom Sauté: In a large pot, caramelize mushrooms in butter until deep golden, then remove and reserve.
- Onion Transformation: Slowly cook onions in remaining butter over medium-low heat, stirring consistently until rich dark golden, approximately 20-25 minutes.
- Flavor Development: Reintroduce mushrooms, add thyme, salt, and pepper. Dust with flour, stirring to create an even coating and eliminate raw flour taste.
- Liquid Integration: Deglaze pot with white wine, add chicken broth and shredded chicken. Simmer until mixture thickens, creating a robust sauce.
- Layering Foundation: Spread initial onion-chicken mixture in prepared dish. Arrange baguette slices, creating a base layer. Cover with half the mixture, gently pressing bread to submerge.
- Cheese Infusion: Sprinkle first layer of gruyère and parmesan cheese. Repeat layering process with remaining baguette and onion-chicken mixture.
- Final Cheese Topping: Generously distribute remaining gruyère and parmesan, ensuring complete cheese coverage.
- Baking Process: Cover with foil, place on rimmed baking sheet, and bake 20 minutes until edges bubble. Remove foil and continue baking 15 minutes to achieve a golden, crispy crust.
- Resting Period: Allow casserole to rest 10 minutes before serving, enabling layers to set and flavors to harmonize.
Notes
- Caramelize Onions Slowly: Take your time when cooking onions, as rushing can lead to burning. Low and slow develops rich, sweet flavor without bitterness.
- Layer Strategically: Press bread slices gently into the mixture to help them absorb maximum flavor and create a cohesive texture throughout the casserole.
- Choose Quality Cheese: Use freshly grated gruyère and parmesan for superior melting and depth of flavor. Pre-shredded cheese won’t deliver the same creamy, complex taste.
- Rest Before Serving: Letting the casserole sit for 10 minutes allows layers to set and flavors to merge, creating a more cohesive and delicious final dish.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg