A comforting casserole that combines caramelized onions, tender chicken, and orzo in a creamy sauce, topped with gooey cheese.
Author:topchoicerecipesgmail-com
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:45 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Baking
Cuisine:French
Diet:Non-Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 large yellow onions (thinly sliced)
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 garlic cloves (minced)
1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
2 cups cooked shredded chicken
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional: 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce or balsamic glaze
Instructions
Caramelize the Onions: Melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat, add onions, sugar, and salt. Cook for 20-25 minutes until golden.
Toast the Orzo: Add orzo pasta to the skillet and toast for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
Combine Ingredients: Mix in the shredded chicken, thyme, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce, if using.
Add Broth and Cream: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, simmer on low for about 8-10 minutes until orzo is tender.
Add Cheese: Stir in 1 cup of mozzarella and Parmesan until melted and creamy.
Bake the Casserole: Preheat oven to 375ยฐF (190ยฐC), top with remaining mozzarella and bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes until bubbling and golden brown.
Rest and Serve: Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, replace chicken with additional vegetables. Adjust cooking times as needed.