French Onion Chicken Thighs
A cozy, savory chicken dinner with tender chicken thighs, sweet caramelized onions, and plenty of melted cheese. It’s simple enough for a weeknight but tastes like it took much longer to make.
Ingredients
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and thyme.
- Brown the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken skin-side down and cook for about 5–7 minutes, until nicely browned. Flip and cook another 3–4 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Caramelize the onions: Lower the heat to medium and add the butter. Add the sliced onions and cook for about 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft, golden, and caramelized. Add the garlic during the last minute.
- Make the onion sauce: Pour in the broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let the mixture simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Return the chicken: Nestle the browned chicken thighs into the onions and sauce, keeping the skin above the liquid.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet to a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven. Bake for about 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part.
- Add the cheese: Remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle the Gruyère and mozzarella over the chicken and onions. Return to the oven for 3–5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
- Serve: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then spoon plenty of the caramelized onions and sauce over each thigh. Sprinkle with parsley if desired.
Serving Ideas
Serve these French onion chicken thighs with mashed potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables, green beans, or crusty bread to soak up the savory onion sauce.
