Description
French Onion Chicken Mac and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy comfort dish featuring tender chicken, slowly caramelized onions, and a rich blend of Gruyère and sharp cheddar cheeses. This hearty recipe upgrades traditional mac and cheese with gourmet flavors and textures, making it perfect for cozy family dinners or special weekend meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 boneless chicken breasts
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy and Sauces
- 4 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Herbs and Seasonings
- 1 tsp fresh or dried thyme
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Topping
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (if using breadcrumbs)
- Fresh herbs for breadcrumb topping (optional)
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Thinly slice the yellow onions and cook them slowly in butter over medium-low heat for 20-30 minutes until they become golden brown and sweetly aromatic. Stir occasionally to prevent burning and encourage even caramelization.
- Cook the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook them in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown on the outside and fully cooked through. Remove, let rest, then slice into bite-sized pieces.
- Prepare the Pasta: Boil the elbow macaroni in salted water until just al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour to form a roux. Slowly add milk and heavy cream while whisking constantly until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in shredded Gruyère and sharp cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Add minced garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Combine Everything: Add the caramelized onions, cooked chicken pieces, and drained pasta into the cheese sauce. Stir gently until everything is well combined and heated through over low heat for a few minutes.
- Optional Bake: For a crispy topping, transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish. Mix breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired, then sprinkle evenly on top. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
Notes
- Take your time caramelizing onions for maximum flavor, cooking 20-30 minutes on medium-low heat.
- Use a blend of Gruyère and sharp cheddar for the best balance of nuttiness and classic mac and cheese creaminess.
- Drain pasta slightly undercooked as it will continue cooking in the sauce and oven if baking.
- Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary brighten the rich flavors.
- Let the dish rest for a few minutes after cooking to thicken and meld flavors.
- Leftover cooked chicken (rotisserie or grilled) works great to save prep time.
- For gluten-free options, use gluten-free pasta and substitute flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free blend.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop and Baking
- Cuisine: American, French-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: mac and cheese, french onion, chicken, comfort food, caramelized onions, creamy cheese sauce, hearty meal
