Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken Recipe

If you’ve ever wished French onion soup could become a swoon-worthy dinner, this Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken is your perfect match! Juicy chicken breasts are overflowing with melt-in-your-mouth onions and bubbling cheese, all in a single pan—making gourmet comfort food wildly simple for any night of the week.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken is that you only need a supermarket handful of honest, classic ingredients—each one crucial for achieving that signature sweet-savory, melty magic. Don’t skip or skimp—these flavors love to shine together!

• Butter: This is the secret to luscious, golden, perfectly caramelized onions—don’t rush, and try to use real butter for maximum flavor.
• Large onions: Thin-sliced and slow-cooked, they create that deep, sweet onion backdrop you know and love from classic French onion soup.
• Fresh thyme: A peppery, herbal note that lifts the rich flavors—fresh is ideal, but dried will work in a pinch.
• Salt & pepper: A simple pinch of each unlocks all the savory, umami layers hiding in the pan.
• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Butterfly these to make room for all the caramelized goodness—look for breasts of even thickness so they cook evenly.
• Mozzarella or gruyere cheese: Choose your adventure—melty, mild mozzarella or nutty, classic gruyere (or, go wild and use both!), shredded for easy stuffing.
• Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated parmesan melts into the filling, giving you a deep, salty bite; it’s the best finishing touch.
• Olive oil: Use this for browning the chicken and carrying all the flavors through the pan.
• Chicken or beef stock: Either will work—beef for a richer, soup-like finish, or chicken for a lighter touch that lets the onions shine.
• Extra fresh thyme sprigs: A few fresh sprigs add color, aroma, and that final French onion flair.

Variations

The real secret to falling in love with Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken is making it your own. This recipe is a dream for swaps and creative spins—perfect for adapting with whatever is in your fridge, or for working around dietary needs and flavor cravings.

• Swap the cheese: Try smoked gouda, provolone, fontina, or a sharp white cheddar for a unique cheesy twist.
• Make it low-carb: Skip the stock and use a splash of white wine for fewer carbs and a slightly different flavor profile.
• Go gluten-free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free—just double-check your stock and cheeses to be certain.
• Add mushrooms: For even more depth, toss a handful of sliced mushrooms in with your onions as they caramelize.

How to Make Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken

Step 1: Caramelize the Onions

Start by melting your butter in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet (cast iron is perfect!) over medium heat. Toss in your thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring often, until they become deeply golden, soft, and almost jammy—this may take 15–20 minutes, but every minute brings more sweet, rich flavor. Stir in your thyme, salt, and pepper as they start to caramelize.

Step 2: Stuff the Chicken

Once your onions are gorgeously caramelized, scoop them into a bowl and set aside. Mix your shredded mozzarella, gruyere, and parmesan in another bowl. Butterfly each chicken breast (slice carefully almost all the way through) and pack them with generous handfuls of your cheese blend and a few heaping spoonfuls of onions. Secure with a few toothpicks to hold all that oozy filling inside.

Step 3: Brown the Chicken

Return your skillet to medium-high heat and swirl in the olive oil. Carefully nestle in your stuffed chicken and brown them for a few minutes per side—use tongs, and be gentle to keep all that luscious filling from escaping. Aim for a golden crust, but don’t worry about cooking the chicken through just yet.

Step 4: Simmer with Onions and Bake

Remove the browned chicken briefly to a plate, turn off the heat, and return your remaining caramelized onions to the skillet. Pour in the stock, let everything bubble up, then return the chicken breasts to the pan, nestling them down into that oniony broth. Add a few fresh thyme sprigs for even more aroma.

Step 5: Bake Until Juicy and Serve

Pop the entire skillet in a 350°F oven and bake for about 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (165°F inside, if you’re checking). Let the chicken rest for a few minutes out of the oven—then take out the toothpicks, plate them up, and don’t forget an extra spoonful of onions and that gorgeous pan sauce for serving.

How to Serve Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken

Garnishes

Top your Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken with an extra sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves and a dusting of parmesan right before serving. For extra flair, add a scatter of crispy fried onions or a drizzle of the pan juices—your plate will look as good as it tastes.

Side Dishes

This dish loves to be paired with creamy mashed potatoes, buttery noodles, or a crusty chunk of bread to mop up those magical pan juices. For something lighter, a simple green salad with vinaigrette or roasted green beans makes a perfect counterpoint to all the savory richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Plate each chicken breast on a shallow bed of onions and sauce, or slice on a diagonal for a gorgeous cross-section of melty cheese and golden onions. Serve individually in sizzle pans or ramekins for a restaurant-worthy look, or present the whole skillet family-style at the table—guaranteed to wow your crowd.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be sure to include a bit of the pan onions and juices to keep the chicken moist and flavorful when you reheat.

Freezing

You can freeze the cooked stuffed chicken—just let it cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and reheat gently for best texture; the cheese may not be quite as gooey, but the flavors will still be delicious.

Reheating

To reheat, place chicken and a spoonful of the sauce/onions in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake at 325°F until warmed through—about 15–20 minutes. Or, warm individual portions in the microwave, covered, on low power. Add a fresh sprinkle of cheese if you like that extra melty finish!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a cozy, showstopping dinner, Easy One Pan French Onion Stuffed Chicken delivers every time—comforting, melty, and so easy with just one pan. Give it a try and treat yourself (and your loved ones!) to something truly special. Enjoy every bite!

Print