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Simple Recipes for Every Day

French Onion Chicken

French onion chicken in a braiser with gruyere cheese and caramelized onions
  • Serves:  6
  • Prep Time:  15 min
  • Cook Time:  1 hr 15 min

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, (about 6 thighs)
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
  • ¼ cup olive oil, divided
  • 3 medium onions, sliced into ¼ inch rings (about 4 cups)
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • ¾ cup dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc)
  • 2 cups beef stock
  • 8 ounces Gruyère or Comté cheese, grated

Method

  1. Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon of the salt and ½ teaspoon of the black pepper.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium, high heat. Add in chicken, skin side down, and cook, undisturbed until browned about 5-7 minutes. Turn chicken and repeat on other side for about 5 minutes. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
  3. In the same pan add in remaining olive oil and reduce heat to medium/low. Add onions and cover for 15 minutes. Remove the lid and continue to cook the onions, stirring often, until a nice golden brown color is achieved. The caramelization process should take about 25 minutes, don’t rush it.
  4. Once the onions are caramel in color add butter, nutmeg, thyme, bay leaf, garlic, and remaining salt and pepper. Stir and cook for 3 more minutes.
  5. Increase heat to high and add wine. Bring to a boil and cook until reduced by half, about 3-5 minutes.
  6. Preheat oven to 375.
  7. Add beef stock, bring to a simmer and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
  8. Remove thyme and bay leaf and add chicken back into the onions. Bake uncovered on center rack of preheated oven for 15 minutes.
  9. Sprinkle chicken with cheese and place back in the oven under the broiler. Watch carefully so your cheese doesn’t burn.

    **Serve immediately with crusty bread and maybe even mashed potatoes.
    Note: This recipe works just as well with boneless skinless thighs and breasts if that is your preference.