Crunchy French Onion Chicken Recipe

Chicken breasts: The main protein for the dish, providing a tender and juicy base.

French fried onions: Adds a crunchy texture and rich onion flavor to the topping.

Cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully over the chicken, adding a creamy and savory layer.

French onion soup mix: Infuses the chicken with a deep, savory onion flavor.

Mayonnaise: Helps the topping adhere to the chicken and keeps it moist during baking.

When spreading the mayonnaise and french onion soup mix over the chicken breasts, make sure to coat them evenly and thoroughly. This ensures that the flavors penetrate the meat and keep it moist during baking. For an extra layer of crunch, you can add a second layer of crushed french fried onions halfway through the baking process.

• chicken breasts - Substitute with turkey breasts: Turkey breasts have a similar texture and flavor profile, making them a suitable alternative.

• crushed french fried onions - Substitute with panko breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs provide a similar crunch and can be seasoned to mimic the flavor of french fried onions.

• cheddar or mozzarella shredded cheese - Substitute with parmesan cheese: Parmesan cheese offers a different but complementary flavor and melts well, adding a nice crust.

• french onion soup mix - Substitute with onion powder and beef bouillon: A mix of onion powder and beef bouillon can replicate the savory and oniony flavor of the soup mix.

• mayonnaise - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt provides a creamy texture and tangy flavor, making it a healthier alternative to mayonnaise.

• Allow the chicken breasts to cool completely after baking. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the crushed french fried onions soggy.

• Transfer the cooled chicken to an airtight container. If you have multiple pieces, place a sheet of parchment paper between each layer to keep them from sticking together.

• Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the Crunchy French Onion Chicken within 3-4 days. This ensures the chicken remains fresh and flavorful.

• For longer storage, wrap each chicken breast individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This extra layer of protection helps maintain the chicken's moisture and prevents freezer burn.

• Place the wrapped chicken breasts in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label it with the date to keep track of how long it has been stored.

• Freeze the chicken for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight.

• Reheat the chicken in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until it’s heated through. This helps maintain the crunchy topping and ensures the chicken is warmed evenly.

• Alternatively, you can reheat the chicken in the microwave, but be aware that the crushed french fried onions may lose some of their crunchiness. To mitigate this, use a microwave-safe dish and cover it loosely with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals until warmed through.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover chicken breasts in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the chicken from drying out.
  4. Heat for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is warmed through.
  5. For the last 5 minutes, remove the foil to re-crisp the french fried onions topping.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the chicken breasts on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to retain moisture.
  3. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Check the chicken and stir the topping slightly to ensure even heating.
  5. Continue heating in 1-minute intervals until the chicken is thoroughly warmed.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the skillet.
  3. Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cover with a lid.
  4. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is warmed through.
  5. To re-crisp the french fried onions, remove the lid for the last 2 minutes of heating.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket.
  3. Heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. This method will help maintain the crunchiness of the french fried onions topping.

• Oven: Used to bake the chicken breasts at the specified temperature of 375°F (190°C).

• Mixing bowl: Utilized to combine the mayonnaise and french onion soup mix.

• Spatula: Handy for spreading the mayonnaise mixture evenly over the chicken breasts.

• Cheese grater: Necessary if you need to shred the cheddar or mozzarella cheese.

• Baking dish: The container where the chicken breasts will be placed for baking.

• Measuring cup: Used to measure out the crushed french fried onions, shredded cheese, and mayonnaise.

• Knife: Useful for trimming any excess fat or unwanted parts from the chicken breasts.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface to prepare the chicken breasts.

• Oven mitts: Essential for safely handling the hot baking dish when removing it from the oven.

• Timer: Helps keep track of the 30-minute baking time to ensure the chicken is cooked through.

• Cooling rack: Optional, but useful for letting the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

Pre-mix the topping: Combine the mayonnaise and french onion soup mix ahead of time and store it in the fridge.

Use pre-shredded cheese: Save time by using pre-shredded cheddar or mozzarella instead of shredding it yourself.

Crush onions in bulk: Crush a large batch of french fried onions and store them in an airtight container for future use.

Line the baking dish: Use parchment paper or foil to line your baking dish for easy cleanup.

Preheat the oven early: Start preheating your oven while you prepare the ingredients to save time.