Food of the month

French Onion Baked Chicken

Craving comfort food? Try this French Onion Baked Chicken for the ultimate cheesy, satisfying meal.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tablespoons butter • 2 teaspoons olive oil • 4-5 large yellow or white onions, peeled and sliced in half 1/4 teaspoon black pepper • 2 sprigs of fresh thyme • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar • 2/3 cup reduced-sodium beef broth • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme • 1 teaspoon garlic powder • 1 cup shredded Mozzarella or Gruyere • 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan

DIRECTIONS

Step 1

Heat a large skillet over medium/medium-high heat. Add the butter, olive oil, and sliced onions. Season with 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add the thyme sprigs and cook for 8 minutes, stirring very occasionally.

Step 2

While the onions are cooking, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and butter a 9”x13” baking dish. Set it aside.

Step 3

After 8 minutes, reduce the heat on the pan of onions down to medium/medium-low, and cook them for another 15 minutes or so, stirring occasionally.

Step 4

Stir in the garlic, cook for 1 minute. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and 1/3 cup of the beef broth. Stir and cook for another minute or so, until the onion mixture is thick with a jam-like consistency.

Step 5

Add about a 1/2 cup of the caramelized onions to the prepared baking dish and add the remaining 1/3 cup beef broth to the dish. Stir.

Step 6

Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and garlic powder. Arrange chicken in a prepared baking dish and top each breast with a generous spoonful of caramelized onions.

Step 7

Top the chicken and onions with Mozzarella and Parmesan.

Step 8

Bake for 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Brother Derrick Butts