French Onion Chicken Rice Casserole with Caramelized Onions and Cheese (Print version)

Tender chicken, fluffy rice, slow-cooked onions, and melted Gruyere bake into a cozy French onion casserole.

# Ingredients:

For the onions

01 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
04 - 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

For the casserole

07 - 1 1/2 lb (680 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
08 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1 1/4 cups (250 g) long-grain white rice, rinsed and drained
11 - 2 3/4 cups (650 ml) hot low-sodium beef broth
12 - 1/2 cup (120 g) sour cream
13 - 1 1/2 cups (170 g) shredded Gruyere cheese
14 - 3/4 cup crispy fried onions
15 - Chopped parsley, for serving

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or a deep oven-safe skillet.
02 - Melt the butter with the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onions and 1/2 teaspoon salt, then cook for 30-35 minutes, stirring often, until soft and deep golden.
03 - Stir in the garlic and thyme and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat before the garlic browns.
04 - In the prepared dish, combine the chicken, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, black pepper, Worcestershire, rice, hot beef broth, sour cream, and caramelized onions. Stir until evenly mixed.
05 - Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes, until the rice has absorbed most of the liquid and the chicken is cooked through.
06 - Uncover and gently stir the casserole. Sprinkle with Gruyere and crispy fried onions, then bake uncovered for 8-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
07 - Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before scooping. Finish with chopped parsley and serve hot.

# Good to know:

01 - Caramelizing the onions can be done up to 3 days ahead.
02 - Use hot broth so the rice cooks evenly in the oven.
03 - Check that chicken reaches 165°F before serving.

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