Succulent French Onion Chicken Thighs

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1. Prepare the Chicken Thighs

  1. Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
  2. Sear the Chicken: In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken thighs, skin-side down. Sear for 5-7 minutes, until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip the thighs and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the other side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

2. Caramelize the Onions

  1. Caramelize the Onions: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of butter. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 20-25 minutes, until the onions are deeply caramelized and golden brown. If the onions start to stick, you can add a splash of water to deglaze the pan.
  2. Add Garlic and Thyme: Once the onions are caramelized, add the minced garlic and fresh thyme. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Deglaze with Wine: If using, pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let the wine reduce by half, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Add Flour: Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.

3. Create the French Onion Sauce

  1. Add Beef Broth: Gradually pour in the beef broth, stirring constantly to create a smooth sauce. Add the balsamic vinegar and stir to combine.
  2. Simmer: Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.

4. Combine Chicken with Sauce

  1. Return Chicken to the Skillet: Nestle the seared chicken thighs into the onion sauce, skin-side up. Make sure the chicken is partially submerged in the sauce.
  2. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese over the chicken thighs.

5. Bake to Perfection

  1. Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  2. Broil (Optional): For an extra golden, bubbly cheese topping, you can broil the chicken for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, watching closely to prevent burning.

6. Serve

  1. Garnish: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the dish rest for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
  2. Serve: Serve the succulent French onion chicken thighs hot, spooning some of the onion sauce over each thigh. This dish pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad.

Tips for Perfect French Onion Chicken Thighs

  • Caramelizing Onions: Take your time with caramelizing the onions; they are the heart of the dish and add a rich depth of flavor.
  • Wine Substitute: If you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute with extra beef broth.
  • Cheese: Gruyère is traditional for French onion dishes, but Swiss or even mozzarella can work in a pinch.

Variations

  • Add Mushrooms: Sauté sliced mushrooms along with the onions for an earthy twist.
  • Boneless Chicken: If using boneless, skinless chicken thighs, reduce the oven time to 15-20 minutes to avoid overcooking.

This French onion chicken thighs recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures that will warm your heart and soul. Enjoy this comfort food classic with your loved ones!

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