French Onion Chicken Casserole
French Onion Chicken Casserole is the ultimate hearty dinner to please your entire family! The cheesy sauce & onions give all the soup vibes!
This is the best French Onion Chicken Casserole – it is SO scrumptious! Chicken, egg noodles, and onions combined with creamy ingredients in an uncomplicated recipe that makes enough for two full meals. You AND the kids will cheer when you reheat the leftovers for dinner again the same week!
Everyone Loves this French Onion Chicken Noodle Dinner
What I love most about this casserole are the double onion ingredients – caramelized onions inside and crispy French fried onions outside. They are a game changer for this chicken noodle casserole. The caramelized onions and Swiss cheese give you the flavor of a gourmet French Onion soup. The fried onion ring topping adds a nearly impossible crunch to resist!
Plus, the homemade sauce (no canned cream-of-whatever soup here!) is a snap. It elevates this meal into one you’ll be proud to serve, even your in-laws. Seriously. I love everything about this dish.
Side Dishes to Complement Your Chicken Casserole
This French Onion Chicken can stand alone. It can be a great “bowl meal” for a movie night on the couch or a big family dinner with many sides.
- This Easy Wedge Salad brings a crisp, fresh side accompaniment to your dinner.
- The simplicity of Roasted Asparagus complements this casserole perfectly.
- Balsamic Glazed Carrots are always a crowd-pleaser and so good for you.
Ingredients
Chicken: You’ll need two boneless skinless chicken breasts. They’ll end up cut into bite-sized pieces, so if you can find them pre-cut, go for it.
Produce: Grab two large white or yellow onions, three cloves of garlic, fresh thyme, and fresh parsley.
Pantry: For this casserole, you’ll need one bag of egg noodles, some Panko bread crumbs, all-purpose flour, and French crispy fried onions.
Refrigerated: Butter, milk, heavy cream, and Swiss cheese.
How to Make French Onion Chicken Casserole
STEP ONE: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Cook the egg noodles according to their package’s instructions in a large pot of boiling water.
STEP TWO: Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat while all that gets going. Cook chicken pieces in the skillet for about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken to a bowl once cooked through.
STEP THREE: Add butter and onions to the skillet and cook for 10-15 minutes until they caramelize. Add the garlic and cook it for 30 seconds. Sprinkle flour over the onions and garlic. Cook for 1 minute while stirring.
STEP FOUR: Whisk in the milk and cream, letting them simmer until thick. Add the chopped thyme, stir it into the sauce, and then remove it from the heat.
STEP FIVE: Mix the cooked noodles, chicken, and sauce in a 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle the Swiss cheese all over the casserole. Combine the melted butter and bread crumbs in a small bowl, and then sprinkle that over the cheese.
STEP SIX: Bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Carefully add the French-fried onions over the top of the casserole, and then let that cook for another 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and garnish with a sprinkle of fresh thyme and/or parsley.
Tips for Success
- Any onions will work, but white or yellow onions will give you the most authentic French Onion flavor. Vidalia and red onions are a bit sweet for this recipe.
- Fresh thyme adds a subtle flavor that gives this dish something extra.
- I highly recommend buying a block of Swiss cheese and grating it yourself. The pre-shredded bagged cheese doesn’t give the same ooey gooey cheese you want for this dish.
Can You Freeze French Onion Chicken Casserole?
Yes! Ensure it is well-sealed, and don’t add the crispy fried onions until time to bake. This will keep in the freezer for up to three months and still be delicious!
What Does it Mean to Caramelize Onions?
Caramelizing onions means cooking them slowly in butter or oil until the sugar in the onions reacts to the heat, and they turn a beautiful, dark golden color. Caramelized onions have a richer, sweeter taste than grilled or sauteed onions.
Other Enjoyable Onion Recipes:
- Caramelized Onion Dip
- Caramelized Onion and Bacon Skillet Dip
- French Onion Scalloped Potatoes
- French Onion Chicken Thighs
- Skillet French Onion Chicken
- Pear Caramelized Onion and Brie Bites
- Caramelized Onion and BBQ Pork Flatbread
French Onion Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 12 ounces egg noodles
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 large yellow onion or white onions
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 ½ cups milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme minced
- 1 cup Swiss cheese shredded
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 cup French's fried onions
- Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
- Cook the egg noodles in a large pot of boiling water according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Once hot add the chicken and cook for about 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside
- In the same skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Then add the onions and allow to cook for 10-15 minutes, or until starting to carmelize, stirring often. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Sprinkle the flour over the onions and the garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring to coat. Slowly whisk in the milk and cream, then allow the sauce to simmer until thickened. Stir in the thyme, and remove from heat.
- Add the cooked noodles, cooked chicken, and sauce to the bottom of a 9-inch x 13-inch baking dish and stir to combine. Sprinkle the Swiss cheese all over the top of the casserole.
- In a small bowl, stir together the panko and melted butter, then sprinkle the bread crumb over the cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Then carefully sprinkle the fried onions over the casserole and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the top is golden.
- Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped parsley and thyme before serving warm.
