Delicious French Onion Chicken and Rice: Your New Weeknight Favorite!

This French Onion chicken and rice recipe is the perfect weeknight chicken dinner. A one-pot dinner, French onion chicken and rice is full of savory flavor and sure to be a family favorite recipe!

Why we love French onion chicken and rice 

There are many great chicken dinner dishes out there, but this one-pot French onion and rice sticks out for its amazing flavor at very little effort. Everything cooks in just one skillet so not only is it an easy dinner recipe, it also has minimal cleanup. 

The ingredients in French onion chicken and rice are simple; there’s no need to run to the specialty grocery store for this dinner. All ingredients are easy to find at any grocery store, and the total dish costs around $3-$4 per serving. 

The healthy one pan chicken and rice recipe is also perfect for those who like to meal plan and prep. Since all the ingredients are simple and easy to find, this meal can be whipped together and makes a great weeknight dinner recipe.

If you’re looking for a high-protein dinner recipe, this chicken has you covered. We’ve used cottage cheese as opposed to sour cream or heavy whipping cream as a thickening agent. A half cup of cottage cheese has about 13 grams of protein, so it adds creaminess and nutritional value. 

Ingredients in French Onion Chicken and Rice

This dish only has seven ingredients which helps it all come together very quickly. 

Chicken Thighs

For ease, cook time, and overall personal preference, I use boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. Chicken thigh meat is so juicy whereas chicken breast can easily dry out when over cooked. Chicken thighs are also a smaller cut of meat than chicken breast so they cook quicker when you’re in a hurry to get dinner on the table.

French Onion Soup Packet

Just one dry seasoning packet provides a multitude of flavor for this entire dish. Using the contents of a French onion soup seasoning packet, completely coat your chicken thighs before adding to your skillet. 

Yellow Onion

To intensify the savoriness and onion flavor, a diced yellow onion is the perfect addition to this dish. Keep your dice even and small–about a half inch per piece. 

Rice

Any type of rice will work for French onion chicken and rice. I’ve used both brown rice and jasmine rice in this easy one skillet dinner, and both tasted really good! 

Chicken Stock

Instead of boiling the rice in water, up the flavor ante by using chicken stock or chicken broth. I make my own chicken stock so I always have some on hand. You can also buy it at the store, or you can add bouillon cubes to water to make a broth. Cooking rice in stock deepens the flavor and adds so much to this easy weeknight dinner. 

Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is a great addition to this weeknight chicken recipe for a couple of reasons. First, cottage cheese adds protein to the recipe which increases the nutritional value of the dish, and second, cottage cheese helps add a creaminess and cheesiness that balances out the savory flavor of onion.

If you don't have cottage cheese, or don't want to use it in this dish, you can also use heavy whipping cream, or sour cream to add creaminess.

Spinach

Cooked spinach is another ingredient that helps balance out the savory flavor of the french onion soup packet. Even though spinach wilts and cooks down, it tends to clump together. My recommendation is to cut or tear your spinach leaves so it is easier for them to disperse through the dish.

What do I need to cook French Onion Chicken and Rice?

You do not need many supplies to make this easy one pot dinner. You really only need one skillet with a lid. It doesn’t matter what type of skillet you use, but I recommend making sure it’s at least 12 inches. I have made this dish in my cast iron skillet, as well as my non-stick skillet. The flavor does not change in either skillet. 

The most important thing is to make sure you have a lid for your skillet so you can cover your meal and let everything simmer. 

How to Make this One Skillet Chicken Recipe

Making this healthy one-pan chicken and rice dinner is easy, but has amazing results! Your family will love this savory chicken recipe.

• In a large frying pan, sauté onions with some butter/oil and some salt. Once cooked through (about 4 minutes), remove from pan and set aside.
• Coat your chicken with French onion soup mix. Heat 3 tablespoon of oil in the same large frying pan and sear chicken on both sides (about 4 minutes each side) until nice and golden. Remove from pan.
• In the same pan, add the rice and cook for 1 minute, stirring. Then add the stock, sour cream and salt some and bring to a simmer (3-4 minutes).
• Add the onions, some spinach leaves and chicken back into the pan and then cover and continue to simmer for 20-25 minutes.

Note: All of these cook times are variable depending on your cooktop's heat conductibility, and I recommend using the times listed as a guide and not the standard.

Can I add other veggies to French onion chicken?

Absolutely! We like to add frozen peas and carrots to our French onion, chicken and rice. When I add frozen veggies to this recipe, I allow everything to simmer longer to cook out the extra moisture. 

How long can I store French Onion Chicken and Rice?

Once cooked, leftover French Onion Chicken and Rice (if there are leftovers!) can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. 

📖 Recipe