Succulent pan-seared chicken thighs smothered in caramelized onions and Gruyere cheese. This French Onion Chicken recipe take the classic soup and turns it into a satisfying keto meal!.
I have a lot of wonderful keto chicken recipes, but I am always on the hunt for more tasty ideas. What could be tastier than French Onion Chicken? This dish takes the flavors of your favorite soup and makes it into a full dinner. Everything about it is delicious. The sauce is great on the chicken and also great on top of mashed cauliflower. It really is the perfect comfort food, with juicy chicken smothered in caramelized onions and melty cheese. My whole family devoured it!.
French onion chicken is a delicious, flavorful dish that is simple to make at home. It features chicken breasts smothered in a rich French onion soup mix gravy. With tender, juicy chicken and savory onions, this meal makes for a cozy dinner any night of the week. While the chicken is undeniably the star, pairing it with the right side dishes can take your meal to the next level. The possibilities are endless, but these sides are sure to be crowd-pleasers.
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a classic accompaniment for chicken dishes They pair perfectly with the rich, oniony gravy from the French onion chicken. For creamiest results, use a combination of Yukon gold and russet potatoes. Boil the potatoes until fork tender, then drain and mash them with butter, warm milk, and salt and pepper to taste. For extra richness, stir in a bit of sour cream or cream cheese. The potatoes help soak up the delicious gravy and offer the ultimate comfort food experience
Roasted Potatoes
Crispy roasted potatoes are another excellent starch to serve alongside French onion chicken. Small red or yellow potatoes are ideal candidates. Toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and fresh rosemary. Roast them in the oven at 400°F until browned and fork tender, about 30 minutes The herbs and spices add lots of flavor that complements the chicken Roasted potatoes add more texture versus mashed.
Green Beans
Fresh green beans are a great vegetable side dish. You can roast, sauté, or steam the green beans however you like. Roasting or sautéing helps add flavor. Green beans should be trimmed and mixed with olive oil, salt, pepper, and minced garlic before roasting. Place on a baking sheet and roast at 425°F for 15 to 20 minutes, tossing every now and then, until soft. For sautéed beans, cook the beans in olive oil over medium-high heat until they are just barely crisp. Season with salt, pepper, lemon juice and parsley. Either way, this warm, hearty meal is healthy and has color on the plate to make it look better.
Glazed Carrots
In the mood for more veggies? Glazed carrots are another excellent choice. Peel and slice 1 lb carrots on the bias into coins. Boil for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened but still crunchy. Drain and set aside. In a skillet, heat 3 Tbsp butter, 2 Tbsp honey, 1 Tbsp lemon juice and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the carrots and toss to coat for 2-3 minutes until glazed and tender. The natural sweetness of the carrots pairs nicely with the savory chicken and onions. It adds more nutrition as well.
Egg Noodles
If you want to soak up every last bit of that delicious French onion gravy, egg noodles are the way to go. Boil the egg noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and toss with a bit of butter or olive oil to prevent sticking. The wide, flat noodles catch all the richness from the gravy. It’s a heartier take than potatoes or rice. Plus, who doesn’t love carbs with their chicken?
Rice Pilaf
For a simple rice side, whip up a batch of rice pilaf. Cook rice like white or brown rice, quinoa or farro according to package instructions. When the grains are finished cooking, stir in some sautéed onions, vegetable broth and seasonings of your choice. Top with parsley or green onions for extra flavor. The rice soaks up the gravy nicely while adding interesting texture and flavor.
Salad with Vinaigrette
A green salad is a lighter option if you want to balance out this cozy, hearty meal. Make a simple salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, shredded carrots and red onion. Drizzle with a basic vinaigrette of 3 parts oil and 1 part vinegar, plus salt, pepper and herbs like thyme or oregano. The brightness of the salad helps cut through the rich chicken and gravy.
Focaccia Bread
Warm focaccia bread that has just been baked goes perfectly with this dish. You can use the crusty Italian bread to soak up any gravy that’s still on your plate. You can make focaccia at home with a simple recipe that calls for all-purpose flour, olive oil, yeast, and spices. Before baking, brush the top with more oil and sprinkle herbs on top. Serve warm wedges alongside the meal. So satisfying!.
Cheesy Biscuits
Buttery, fluffy biscuits are always a hit. Shred some cheddar cheese into the dough to take them to the next level. The inside of these cheesy biscuits is soft and flaky, and the outside is crispy. They pair wonderfully with the chicken gravy for dipping. The savory onion flavor goes well with the richness of the cheese and biscuit. Cookie dough is quick and easy to make, and it rounds out the meal.
Garlic Bread
For an easy baked carb, whip up a loaf of garlic bread to go with your French onion chicken. Start with a loaf of crusty bread like ciabatta or French bread. Cut the loaf horizontally and spread the insides with butter or olive oil. Season with minced garlic, salt, Italian seasoning and parsley. Put the loaf back together and wrap in foil. Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes until warmed through and the garlic is fragrant. The garlic bread can help sop up any extra gravy.
Creamed Spinach
Creamed spinach makes for an elegant, restaurant-worthy side to serve with French onion chicken. Sauté chopped onions and garlic briefly until softened. Add boxed chopped spinach and sauté until wilted. Stir in heavy cream and season with nutmeg, salt and pepper. Simmer until thickened. The richness of the creamed spinach pairs nicely with the chicken. It makes you feel like you’re dining at a fancy steakhouse!
Twice Baked Potatoes
As a side dish, twice baked potatoes are the best way to feel good. Bake large russet potatoes until tender all the way through. Once it’s a little cooler, cut it open and scoop out the meat into a bowl. Add butter, cream cheese, milk, cheddar cheese, bacon, salt, pepper, and green onions to the potato flesh and mash it up. Spoon the cheesy potato mixture back into the potato skins. Bake again until heated through and the tops are crispy. It’s very unhealthy to eat twice-baked potatoes, but they go so well with chicken.
The possibilities really are endless when it comes to finding the perfect sides for French onion chicken. Any of these delicious options, from mashed potatoes to cheesy biscuits to roasted vegetables, are sure to please. Just focus on what sounds good to you and will best soak up that scrumptious gravy. With tender chicken smothered in onions and the right combo of sides, you’ll have a hearty, satisfying meal the whole family will love.
Why you will love this recipe
Caramelized onions always bring something special to a meal. There is really nothing quite like them. I love them in recipes like smothered pork chops and keto quiche. I’ve even stuffed them inside burgers. But they go particularly well with chicken. You can’t rush the caramelization process, so this French Onion Chicken isn’t necessarily a quick recipe. But it is easy to put together, and the results are absolutely worth it. And even with a full onion in the mix, it clocks in at only 3g of carbs per serving. Have I mentioned that it reheats well too? I managed to squirrel one serving away from my hungry family and had it for lunch the next day. I simply warmed it up in the microwave and it was as delicious as ever.
- Chicken thighs: For this recipe, I like to use whole thighs with the bone still in and the skin still on. But you could also do boneless, skinless thighs. Pan-sear them for only about 3 minutes per side, and then bake them for about 15 minutes. They will cook through faster.
- French Onion soup is known for its caramelized onions, which are also used in this chicken skillet. Onions have more carbs than many other vegetables, but one onion in six servings doesn’t add that many. And still gives you all the flavor you crave!.
- Olive oil or avocado oil could also be used to sear the chicken. Butter: I used butter because it helps brown and crisp the skin.
- Spices: To make this French Onion Chicken taste even better, add a little onion powder.
- This makes a delicious sauce for the chicken and helps clear out the pan. You can also use chicken broth.
- Thyme: Some fresh thyme tastes great with the caramelized onions. You can use dried if that’s all you have. Try half a teaspoon.
- When you serve French onion soup, Gruyere cheese is often added on top. I used it on top of this keto chicken dish too. But sharp cheddar, gouda, or Swiss cheeses will also work.
- Salt and pepper
Step by step directions
1. Pan-sear the chicken: Pat the chicken very dry and sprinkle both sides with salt, pepper, and onion powder. Add the butter to a medium skillet over medium heat and let melt. Cook the chicken on both sides until golden. Flip over and cook another 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
2. Caramelize the onions: Add the onions to the pan, and sprinkle with a little more salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium low and caramelize the onions slowly until golden, stirring frequently.
3. Make the sauce: Add the thyme to the pan and cook 1 minute more, until fragrant. Add the wine and bring to simmer. Cook until reduced by half, about 2 more minutes.
4. Bake the chicken: Nestle the chicken back into the pan and sprinkle the tops with the grated cheese. Bake 20 minutes until melted and bubbly.
Take the time to brown the chicken properly on both sides, even if you’re using boneless, skinless chicken. It makes a difference to the overall flavor of the dish. Caramelizing onions takes time and patience. Don’t be tempted to turn up the heat as this will make the onions become brown and bitter. Stay nearby and stir them frequently to distribute the onions evenly over the bottom of the pan. Chicken should always be cooked through to 165ºF. When you take the French Onion Chicken out of the oven, use an instant read thermometer to see if it’s done. Because of the sauce and cheese, you can take it up to 175ºF and it will still be moist and delicious.
It’s surprising how many carbs onions have, but they also make savory foods taste better and make you feel fuller. Caramelizing onions brings out their natural sweetness and adds even more flavor. You can certainly work onions into your keto recipes but just be mindful of not going overboard. One medium large onion for a recipe that serves 6 adds only 3g of carbs per serving.
This French Onion Chicken recipe has 3. 4g of carbs and 0. 6g of fiber. That amounts to a net carb count of 2. 8g per serving.
Some caramelized onion recipes call for added sugar but there really is no need for it. Onions contain enough natural sugars to caramelize on their own. The key is to cook them very slowly in butter or oil until they become a deep amber.
French Onion Chicken – Creamy & Delicious! | Supergolden Bakes
FAQ
What sides go well with French onion chicken?
The chicken is smothered in a rich French Onion sauce and topped with hot, melted cheese. Serve this with mashed potatoes or buttered noodles and green beans for a complete meal that your family will love!.
What does French onion pair well with?
To go with the French onion soup, a small piece of beef braised in red wine with root vegetables like potatoes, turnips, or carrots would be a filling main course. A pork chop or a simple roasted tenderloin dish would also work well. Nov 11, 2024.
What sides go well with chicken?
The best sides for chicken may depend on the way you’re cooking the bird—a burnished roast chicken in the fall or winter goes wonderfully with butternut squash or cauliflower, while grilled chicken in the summer makes more sense with high-season salads and veggies charred over the coals.
What kind of bowls do you use for French onion soup?
French onion soup is traditionally served in lionhead bowls, which are deep but not very wide porcelain bowls.