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French Onion Chicken Rice Bake

French Onion Chicken Rice Bake

  • Author: Kevin
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

French Onion Chicken Rice Bake is a comforting and flavorful one-dish meal combining tender chicken thighs, sweet caramelized onions, smoky turkey bacon, and creamy plant-based cheese. This easy-to-make casserole delivers rich French onion soup-inspired flavors with the hearty texture of rice, making it a perfect family-friendly dinner with simple cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Main Ingredients

  • 4 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
  • 6 thick slices smoked turkey bacon
  • 1 1/2 cups long grain rice

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 3 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

Liquids and Seasonings

  • 4 cups vegetable broth (natural), gluten-free
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (natural)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (natural), plus extra for garnish
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Dairy and Texture

  • 1 cup plant-based cheese, shredded
  • 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent

Instructions

  1. Caramelize the Onions and Cook Bacon: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add thinly sliced onions with a pinch of salt and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and sweet, about 25-30 minutes. In a separate pan, cook smoked turkey bacon until crisp. Chop bacon into bite-sized pieces and set aside both onions and bacon.
  2. Prepare the Chicken: Pat chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme. In the same pan used for bacon, sear chicken over medium-high heat until browned on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side, ensuring juices are locked in. Remove from heat.
  3. Combine the Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently combine caramelized onions, cooked bacon pieces, long grain rice, minced garlic, thyme, vegetable broth, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil. Stir carefully to mix without crushing rice grains.
  4. Assemble the Bake: Lightly grease a casserole dish. Spread the rice mixture evenly in the dish. Nestle the browned chicken thighs into the rice, pressing them down gently. Sprinkle plant-based cheese evenly over the top, then scatter the natural gelling agent across the surface to improve texture.
  5. Bake and Serve: Cover casserole with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes. Remove foil during the last 10 minutes to allow cheese to brown lightly. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and texture to set.

Notes

  • Caramelize onions slowly to develop rich sweetness.
  • Use bone-in chicken thighs for extra flavor and moisture.
  • Do not skip apple cider vinegar; it balances the sweetness of onions.
  • If rice is not fully cooked after baking, add a splash of broth and bake a few more minutes.
  • Let the bake rest before serving to enhance flavor and texture.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French-inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 650mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: French onion chicken casserole, plant-based cheese, turkey bacon, one dish dinner, comfort food, gluten-free casserole

Find it online: https://yumwayrecipes.com/french-onion-chicken-rice-bake/