French Onion Chicken & Rice Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, combining savory chicken, caramelized onions, earthy mushrooms, and spinach with the richness of Gruyère cheese. All of this is baked together with tender, fluffy rice to create a cozy, one-pan meal that your whole family will love. This dish brings the comforting flavors of French onion soup into a hearty casserole form that’s perfect for any night of the week.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This casserole is a perfect blend of comforting ingredients that come together in a wonderfully savory dish. The sweetness of caramelized onions, combined with the richness of Gruyère cheese and tender chicken, creates a flavor-packed meal that will satisfy your cravings. Plus, it’s an easy, one-pan dish, which makes clean-up a breeze! Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or a family dinner, this recipe offers a great balance of flavor, nutrition, and convenience.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large sweet onions, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are deeply caramelized, about 25-30 minutes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Sprinkle the flour over the onions, stir to combine, and cook for another minute. Pour in the white wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let the wine reduce for 2-3 minutes.
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, combine uncooked rice, chicken stock, cooked chicken, spinach, mushrooms, thyme, garlic powder, and the remaining salt and pepper. Stir everything to ensure it’s well distributed.
- Spread the caramelized onions over the top of the rice mixture. Cover the dish tightly with foil.
- Bake for 35 minutes. After 35 minutes, remove the foil and sprinkle the Gruyère cheese over the top. Continue to bake, uncovered, for an additional 10-15 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is golden.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Servings: 6
Variations
- Vegetarian: Skip the chicken and add more mushrooms or your favorite vegetables, such as zucchini or bell peppers.
- Cheese Options: If you can’t find Gruyère, you can substitute it with Swiss, mozzarella, or cheddar for a slightly different flavor.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the onions or rice mixture for some heat.
- Rice Substitutes: Brown rice or wild rice can be used instead of white rice, though cooking times may vary, and additional liquid may be needed.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, simply microwave individual servings or cover and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes until hot throughout.
FAQs
1. Can I use leftover chicken for this recipe?
Yes! Shredded or diced leftover chicken works perfectly in this casserole.
2. Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the casserole up to the point of baking. Cover it tightly and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Bake as directed when you’re ready to cook.
3. Can I substitute the rice with quinoa or another grain?
Yes, quinoa or other grains like barley could work, though the cooking time and liquid amounts may vary. Be sure to adjust accordingly.
4. What can I use if I don’t have white wine?
You can substitute the white wine with chicken broth or even a splash of apple cider vinegar, which will add a bit of acidity similar to wine.
5. Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes, you can freeze the casserole before baking it. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. To bake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then bake as instructed.
6. Can I use pre-sliced mushrooms?
Yes, pre-sliced mushrooms will work just as well as whole mushrooms. Simply add them to the casserole when directed.
7. How do I prevent the onions from burning while caramelizing?
Be sure to cook the onions on medium heat, stirring occasionally. If they start to brown too quickly, lower the heat and continue cooking until they caramelize slowly.
8. Can I add more cheese?
Absolutely! Feel free to add extra Gruyère or mix in some parmesan for a more intense cheesy flavor.
9. How do I make this casserole spicier?
For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or diced jalapeños to the rice mixture.
10. Can I use a different type of cheese for topping?
Yes, cheeses like mozzarella, cheddar, or even provolone can be used in place of Gruyère.
Conclusion
This French Onion Chicken & Rice Casserole is a delightful comfort food that combines savory flavors with a cheesy, satisfying finish. It’s perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner, and the best part is that it’s easy to make with minimal cleanup. Whether you enjoy it fresh out of the oven or as leftovers, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy the rich, hearty flavors of this one-pan meal and the joy of a delicious, comforting dinner!
Print
French Onion Chicken & Rice Casserole
French Onion Chicken & Rice Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender chicken, caramelized onions, mushrooms, spinach, and Gruyère cheese baked with fluffy rice in a rich, savory sauce. This easy, one-pan meal combines the flavors of French onion soup with a hearty casserole perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners.
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 large sweet onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp salt, divided
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, divided
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Caramelize the onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter with olive oil. Add onions and cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Thicken the mixture: Sprinkle flour over the onions, stir, and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the white wine and scrape up any browned bits. Let it reduce for 2-3 minutes.
- Assemble the casserole: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, combine uncooked rice, chicken stock, cooked chicken, spinach, mushrooms, thyme, garlic powder, and remaining salt and pepper. Stir to distribute evenly.
- Layer the onions: Spread caramelized onions over the rice mixture. Cover tightly with foil.
- Bake: Cook for 35 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle Gruyère cheese over the top, and bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Rest & Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Substitutions: Use Swiss, mozzarella, or cheddar instead of Gruyère.
- Make it vegetarian: Omit chicken and add extra veggies like zucchini or bell peppers.
- Spicy variation: Add red pepper flakes for heat.
- Rice alternatives: Brown or wild rice can be used, but adjust cooking time and liquid as needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, French-inspired
