Description
This Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken recipe combines tender butterflied chicken breasts stuffed with a savory blend of caramelized onions and melted cheeses, creating a flavorful and elegant meal. The dish is cooked in a single skillet, first caramelizing the onions, then browning the chicken before finishing in the oven for juicy and perfectly cooked chicken packed with rich, cheesy goodness accented by fresh thyme.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For Caramelized Onions:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 5-6 large onions, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
- a pinch each of salt and pepper
For Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butterflied
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or gruyere cheese
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup chicken or beef stock
- a few sprigs of fresh thyme
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt completely. Stir in the thinly sliced onions, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook the onions, stirring regularly, until they become soft, golden brown, and deeply caramelized, which enhances their natural sweetness and flavor.
- Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella (or gruyere) with the freshly grated parmesan cheese. Take each butterflied chicken breast and stuff it generously with the cheese mixture and a portion of the caramelized onions. Secure the chicken breasts with toothpicks to keep the filling intact during cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Add olive oil to the same skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Brown the stuffed chicken breasts on both sides until they develop a nice golden crust. Remove the chicken from the skillet temporarily. Add any remaining caramelized onions to the skillet along with the chicken or beef stock. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the onions and stock. Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and juicy.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes. Carefully remove the toothpicks from the stuffed breasts. Serve the chicken with the caramelized onions and pan juices spooned over the top for a delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- Make sure to properly secure the filled chicken breasts with toothpicks to prevent the filling from spilling out during cooking.
- You can customize the cheese blend to your preference, using mozzarella, gruyere, or parmesan to vary flavor and texture.
- Adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of the chicken breasts to ensure they are fully cooked and reach a safe internal temperature.
