French Onion Hen – Sugar Spun Run

French onion rooster turns the traditional soup right into a protein-rich weeknight dinner! My recipe comes collectively quick and finishes within the oven with a gooey, tacky topping.

Weeknight French Onion Hen

French onion rooster not solely comprises all of the wealthy flavors of French onion soup, nevertheless it additionally finishes a lot sooner, making it an ideal anytime dinner. The wealthy, caramelized onion sauce is infused with white wine, thyme, and beef broth…there’s a lot taste occurring right here. And all of it comes collectively in a single pot with sufficient to feed the entire household!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Tastes similar to French onion soup, however with an additional punch of protein from the rooster. And it takes a fraction of the time to make!
• One pot dinner! A deep 12” skillet is greatest as a result of you may match every little thing properly. And for those who’re a fan of one-pan dinners, strive my Greek rooster orzo!
• The onions caramelize shortly as a result of we shut them in with a lid (for those who’re apprehensive about your onions burning, stir briefly midway by way of cooking). They’re not going to go to the identical degree of caramelization we do for the soup model, as a result of we don’t wish to wait 60 minutes for the onions to be totally able to get dinner on the desk. Taking them to this not fully caramelized however shut degree makes a satisfying, comparatively fast, and scrumptious weeknight dinner. 
• Will be loved by itself, however due to its wealthy sauce I wish to serve it over mashed potatoes. Add a facet of veggies or salad and a slice of sourdough, and you’ve got a satisfying meal.

What You Want

This flavorful dish makes use of simply 12 components. All of those will likely be acquainted for those who’ve made French onion soup!

• Hen breast. If yours are thick, reduce them in half in order that they prepare dinner a bit of sooner (and so that you get a superb quantity of taste per chunk).
• Onions. I choose candy Vidalia onions for this dish. Yellow onions may work, or a mix of the 2.
• White wine. Wine provides pretty depth of taste to French onion rooster (simply because it does with the soup). A dry white wine works greatest on this recipe; this might be pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, or another dry white wine you benefit from the style of. I’ve included notes within the recipe for those who decide to not use wine or simply end up with none readily available (you’ll want a splash of vinegar).
• Beef broth. We construct our French onion sauce/gravy on a beef broth base. You would substitute rooster inventory nevertheless it gained’t provide you with as wealthy or deep of a taste.
• Gruyere cheese. That is the traditional alternative, however you would as an alternative use mozzarella, provolone, and even Swiss cheese. No matter you employ, I like to recommend freshly grating it; the pre-shredded stuff gained’t soften as properly!

SAM’S TIP: Whereas we’re including dried thyme, some contemporary thyme makes a pleasant garnish too!

That is simply an summary of the components I used and why. For the total recipe please scroll all the way down to the underside of the submit!

How one can Make French Onion Hen

1. Minimize your onions into skinny slices, then set them apart. You do need them skinny, too! The thicker they’re, the longer it can take them to correctly caramelize.
2. Sear the rooster in avocado or olive oil over medium-high warmth, then take away to a plate.
3. Cook dinner the onions in melted butter for 10 minutes with the lid on, then take away the lid and maintain cooking till the onions are softened and caramelized. Stir within the garlic.
4. Add the wine and prepare dinner till diminished, then sprinkle within the flour and stir till absorbed. Toast the flour by letting it prepare dinner one other 30 seconds or so, then add the meat broth and seasonings.

SAM’S TIPS FOR SEARING: When searing your rooster, ensure your pan is scorching and, after inserting the rooster let sit undisturbed for a number of minutes earlier than flipping it. Give the rooster breasts area, as inserting them too shut collectively can sluggish the cooking and trigger the meat to steam relatively than sear, turning it grey relatively than brown (a missed alternative for taste!). In case your pan isn’t massive sufficient to sear all of the meat without delay, sear it in batches; you’ll seemingly want so as to add a bit extra oil between batches.

5. Add the rooster again to the pan and let it heat, then sprinkle the cheese on prime.
6. Broil till the cheese is bubbly and toasted. I decide to do that step (like when making French onion soup), however you may at all times add the cheese then simply cowl the pan with a lid for a minute or two till the cheese melts earlier than serving. It gained’t be crisped or golden, nevertheless it’ll nonetheless be melty and good.

SAM’S TIP: The recipe signifies salting (and pepper-ing) to style. It’s because how a lot salt you will want may range tremendously relying on how liberally you season your rooster earlier than cooking it and the way salted your broth is. I’ve made it beforehand and never wanted so as to add any extra salt in any respect. All the time taste-test. If the dish tastes bland at ALL, it means you want extra salt. 

Ceaselessly Requested Questions

Get pleasure from!

Let’s bake collectively! Subscribe to my e-newsletter to be notified of all the latest recipes, and discover my free recipe tutorials on YouTube 💜

Associated Recipes