Description
A quick and easy weeknight dinner featuring caramelized onions, tender chicken thighs, and melted Swiss cheese cooked in a single skillet for minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 large yellow onions, sliced into half-moons
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese (or Gruyère)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Slice onions into ¼-inch thick half-moons.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add onions and cook slowly for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized and golden brown.
- Add minced garlic and dried thyme to the onions; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Return chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the onions. Spoon sauce over the chicken. Cover and simmer on medium-low for 10-12 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove lid and sprinkle shredded cheese over the chicken and onions. Cover for 1 minute or broil for 1-2 minutes until cheese is bubbly and browned.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or chives and serve immediately.
Notes
Patting the chicken dry is crucial for a good sear. Cook onions low and slow to caramelize them without burning. Use fresh shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded to avoid anti-caking agents that make the sauce grainy. This recipe is naturally gluten-free if using certified gluten-free broth and Worcestershire sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: one-skillet dinner, french onion chicken, weeknight dinner, easy chicken recipe, gluten-free dinner, one pan meal, caramelized onions, chicken thighs