Description
French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole: Cozy, rich, and packed with comforting French onion flavor—a one-pan casserole with tender halal chicken, caramelized onions, creamy orzo, and melted cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 lb halal chicken breast or thighs, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2½ cups chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella or Gruyère (halal-certified)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan (halal-certified)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized.
- Add chicken and garlic to the skillet. Cook 3–4 minutes until chicken is lightly browned. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme.
- Stir in orzo, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 15–18 minutes until orzo is tender and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
- Caramelize onions slowly for deeper flavor; this can be done up to a day ahead and refrigerated.
- For strictly halal meals, ensure all cheeses are halal-certified and choose halal chicken.
- Leftovers reheat well; store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
- Want a lighter version? Substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream or use lower-fat cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Oven-baked
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: French Onion Chicken Orzo Casserole, French onion chicken casserole, orzo casserole, halal chicken, creamy casserole, one-pan dinner, caramelized onions, cheesy casserole