Why This French Onion Hen Is a Household Favourite

The whole lot about this recipe is a win! Right here’s why my household loves it—and why you’ll too!

• Simple to make. This can be a one-skillet recipe with minimal prep work. More often than not is hands-off when you anticipate the onions to get jammy and caramelized. (And belief me, it’s definitely worth the wait!)
• Candy, savory taste. The factor that makes French onion something so irresistible is the flavour, which is good from the onions, umami from the meat broth, and extremely tacky. I add garlic and thyme too, together with some Dijon mustard and balsamic vinegar for a pop of brightness, so it is a dish with layers of taste.
• Tender, juicy hen. Boneless, skinless hen breasts are sliced into cutlets, pan-fried in butter (YUM!), then nestled into the caramelized onions and smothered in cheese to lock in all of the juiciness and taste. 

What You’ll Want

Plenty of the components you’ll want are pantry staples! Scroll right down to the recipe card to search out the ingredient portions and recipe directions.

• Hen – Purchase boneless skinless hen breasts after which slice them into cutlets.
• Seasonings – Salt and black pepper, together with garlic powder and dried thyme.
• Unsalted butter – Pan-frying the hen in butter makes it further scrumptious!
• Candy onions – Like Vidalia, Maui, or Walla Walla.
• Olive oil – For cooking the onions.
• Garlic – I like layering garlic powder and contemporary garlic on this French onion hen.
• Flour – This helps thicken the onion combination.
• Worcestershire sauce – A taste bomb that provides umami and depth to the dish.
• Balsamic vinegar – Balsamic vinegar is acidic, but in addition candy; you would swap in sherry vinegar or pink wine vinegar, however they lean extra tart.
• Dijon mustard – Dijon has a pointy taste that provides complexity.
• Beef bone broth – You should use common beef broth, however I like bone broth for the richness and vitamins.
• Gruyere cheese – I wish to shred it myself for one of the best soften, however Dealer Joe’s does promote shredded gruyere in luggage if you wish to minimize down your prep time!

The way to Make French Onion Hen

Prepared for one of the best hen dinner you’ve had in a LONG time? Let’s get began!

• Put together. Season the hen with salt and pepper and heat a skillet over medium-high warmth.
• Brown the hen. Soften the butter within the pan and add the hen. Prepare dinner each side till browned, about 3 to 4 minutes per facet. Switch the hen to a plate.

• Caramelize the onions. Add the olive oil to the pan, adopted by the onion. Cut back the warmth to medium and cook dinner for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring often, till the onions are browned and meltingly tender.
• Add the following few components. Stir within the garlic, flour, garlic powder, and thyme. Prepare dinner for a minute, stirring continually, to cook dinner out the uncooked taste of the flour.
• Make it saucy. Stir within the Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, mustard, and broth. Simmer for two to three minutes; the liquid ought to be absorbed, however what’s left within the pan ought to be saucy and jammy, like French onion soup with out the broth.

• End. Add the hen to the pan and sprinkle the cheese excessive. Place the quilt on the pan till the cheese melts, then serve.

Recipe Suggestions and Variations

Listed below are a couple of extra notes on this French onion hen recipe, together with some concepts for switching issues up.

• Swap in contemporary thyme. When you’ve got contemporary thyme available, you may add a couple of sprigs to the onions as they caramelize as an alternative of utilizing dried, then take away them simply earlier than serving.
• Strive a distinct cheese. Whereas gruyere is the normal cheese for French onion soup, you may as well use Swiss, fontina, or provolone, or layer in a couple of totally different cheeses, like Parmesan for taste and mozzarella for meltiness.
• Deglaze the pan if that you must. If there are some browned-on bits on the backside of the pan, you may scrape it up with a wood spoon to include it again into the onion combination after you add the broth.
• Strive it with pork chops. French onion pork chops can be superior too! Simply swap the hen breasts for pork chops; observe the identical methodology of pan-frying them, eradicating them, then including them again on the finish of the recipe.

The way to Retailer and Reheat Leftovers

• Fridge: Switch leftover French onion hen to an hermetic container and refrigerate for as much as 4 days.
• Freezer: You’ll be able to freeze leftovers in an hermetic container or freezer bag for as much as 3 months. Thaw within the fridge earlier than reheating.
• To reheat: Heat leftovers within the microwave or in a skillet set over medium warmth.

Extra Hen Dinner Recipes