French Onion Chicken Skillet Recipe

For an easy weeknight meal that will wow your taste buds, look no further than this delicious French Onion Chicken Recipe! This skillet chicken recipe features a mouth-watering combination of flavors. The sautéed yellow onions add great flavor to the chicken, while the cheese provides a nice creamy texture and nutty flavor.

For more simple 30 minute recipes, check out my tasty Cheesesteak Sandwich, our popular Beef or Chicken Shish Kababs, or these Cheesy Cheese Enchiladas.

Easy chicken dinners are the best and these tender chicken breasts, in a savory and flavorful French onion sauce with shredded gruyere cheese all made in one skillet!

Key Ingredients for French Onion Chicken Casserole

• Butter | Butter adds a creamy flavor. But, more importantly, it aids in browning the chicken and sautéing the onions for this recipe, you may also use olive oil. 
• Tender chicken breasts | Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are meaty, making for a perfect base to boost the flavor with this French onion recipe.
• Yellow onion | Sweet yellow sliced onions give the chicken great flavor and that classic French onion taste.
• Salt and pepper | A little kosher salt and some freshly ground black pepper subtly enhance the other flavors in this French onion chicken recipe.
• Seasonings | The onion soup mix will act as the main seasoning for the chicken breasts. However, I also like to add some garlic powder and dried thyme for a little something extra.
• Onion soup mix | Onion soup mix is a pre-packaged blend of dried onions and other seasonings. It’s a convenient way to add flavor to your dishes. I used an all-natural onion dip mix, which doesn’t have beef bouillon as Knorr does (but doesn’t have MSG). So, I added the onion dip mix with two teaspoons of butter, then bouillon (use chicken or beef). See the instructions below to make your own onion soup mix.
• Beef broth | Beef broth is a flavor-packed liquid that enriches this dish. You can find it in the soup section of your grocery store. Or try making your own beef bone broth — so good!
• Gruyere | Rich, creamy, and nutty gruyere cheese compliments this recipe’s garlic and onion notes so well. It’s the traditional cheese used on French Onion soup, but is on the pricier side.
• Fresh thyme | Fresh thyme leaves are an optional garnish for this delectable dish.

How to make your own onion soup mix:

• ¼ cup dried onion flakes
• 2 tablespoons of beef bouillon granules (Most I found have poor ingredients. So when making your dish, add 2 teaspoons of butter, then Bouillon beef.)
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon parsley flakes
• ⅛ teaspoon celery seed
• ⅛ teaspoon paprika
• ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

Combine above ingredients and store in air tight container in a cool pantry. Use your expiry date as the earliest date on your products.

Gluten-Free French Onion Chicken

This French Onion chicken skillet recipe is naturally gluten free! Ensure the seasonings you choose say GF on the bottles, as well as the onion soup mix. Then check the beef broth label and see if you can find a gluten-free bouillon. From there, the rest of the ingredients should be naturally GF.

Instructions for French Onion Chicken Breast

This entire chicken dinner recipe is prepared in a single large skillet over medium heat, one pan meal, no oven involved!

If you don’t have a large skillet, you can use a medium skillet. Just make sure that the chicken breasts fit comfortably in the pan.

Step 1 | Sear the Chicken

Begin with two tablespoons of butter dropped into a hot skillet. Melt the butter, then add the chicken breasts and sear each chicken breast for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Your goal is to brown each side of the chicken breasts– the trick is to not turn the piece until it easily releases from the pan.

Step 2 | Cook the Onions

When the chicken breasts are finished browning, remove them from the skillet to make room for the next step! Add the rest of the butter to the same skillet with all those golden bits from cooking the chicken pieces. Sprinkle in the chopped onion and continue cooking until the onion has softened and looks translucent and is browning, caramelizing.

Step 3 | Add Onion Soup Mix

Next, add the spices, dry onion soup mix, and cup beef broth. Combine all the ingredients by stirring with a whisk or a wooden spoon.

Now, add the chicken to the sauce and bring the ingredients to a boil. Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the chicken to cook in the broth for about 12 minutes.

Step 4 | Top with Cheese

Time to uncover the skillet and top the chicken breasts with the tasty gruyere cheese. Re-cover the chicken skillet once more and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes. When the cheese has melted, your French Onion Chicken Skillet is complete!

Or if preferred, place oven safe skillet without lid, under the broiler, for 1-2 minutes until melted and lightly browned. 

Now, if desired, all that’s left to do is garnish the chicken breasts with fresh thyme. Then, serve this delicious dish hot with a side salad, veggies, or mashed potatoes—YUM!

Toppings

Garnish the onion soup chicken with fresh thyme leaves. You can sprinkle on some freshly grated parmesan cheese if you’d like.

Variations & Substitutions

One of the best parts of cooking at home is making any recipe your own. Here are a few variations on this dish that you might want to try:

• Substitute juicy chicken thighs for the chicken breasts, you might need to cook a bit longer.
• Use white wine or red wine instead or in addition to beef broth for a deeper and richer flavor.
• Add some chopped mushrooms to the dish when sautéing the onions
• Top with crispy fried onions, like on this Chicken and Wild Rice casserole.
• After you turn the chicken the first time, add a few handfuls of croutons for a fun variation.

Storage Tips

Leftovers | Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days! This easy French onion chicken skillet makes for a quick and tasty lunch another day.

Freeze | You can absolutely store this recipe in the freezer. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container. It will keep in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat it on the stove—EASY.

Instant Pot Instant Pot French Onion Chicken

Start by browning both sides of the chicken breasts. To do this, turn your instant pot onto the sauté mode, add some oil, and brown the chicken breasts for a minute or two on each side.

Then, remove the chicken and add the butter and chopped onions. Saute for about 10 minutes. Next, add the beef broth and seasonings, mix, then add the chicken breasts back to the pot. Submerge the chicken in the broth and pressure cook on high for about 10 minutes.

Perform a quick pressure release. Finally, add the cheese to the tops of the chicken and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, or transfer to oven proof dish and melt cheese in 350-400 degree oven. 

Crockpot French Onion Chicken

Begin the French onion chicken in the crockpot by spraying a large crockpot with cooking spray. Next, place the chicken breasts* in an even layer at the bottom of the pot. Drop in the diced onions. In a small bowl mix onion soup mix and beef broth pouring over chicken and onions.

Cover and cook on high for 4 hours, low for 8 hours. When finished, remove chicken to an oven safe casserole dish, then spoon the onions over the top and finally add a little bit (not all) of the liquid to the casserole, about ⅓-½ a cup. Top with grated gruyere or sliced gruyere cheese and broil about 2 minutes until golden and bubbly.

*For better flavor, do a quick saute of the chicken breasts and onions if desired, then place everything in a crock pot.

More Creative Ways to Cook Chicken Breasts

If you serve chicken regularly, you likely need more ideas on how to switch things up. I like making unique and flavorful recipes to turn ordinary chicken breasts into something new! These are our favorites!

1. Maple Balsamic Chicken Breasts and Veggies
2. If you like this recipe, you’ll love this French Onion Chicken Casserole
3. Coconut Lime Chicken
4. This healthy mediterranean Shawarma Chicken bowls are amazing!
5. Copycat Chipotle Chicken is always a winner in our family!

I hope you loved this French Onion Chicken Skillet — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!