This French Onion Chicken Bake is an easy, flavor-packed dinner recipe you’ll want on repeat. It delivers rich, gourmet taste using simple, everyday ingredients. Juicy chicken breasts bathed in french onion soup and topped with creamy french onion dip, melty provolone and crushed buttery croutons. Only five minutes of prep time and your meal is on its way to impress!
This is the ultimate one dish recipe that is ridiculously easy and also incredibly satisfying and filling! I love serving this on busy weeknights when I just don’t have the time or energy to prep, stir, mix, scoop or measure a multitude of ingredients. Every ingredient is simply placed into the baking pan and tossed into the oven. Use the 25 minutes of bake time to make an easy side or two and you will be serving a phenomenal meal that will have everyone begging for seconds! Mom win!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- One pan – There is so little prep for this recipe! No stirring, mixing or blending. Everything goes directly into this baking dish for cooking. Which also means, only one dish to clean!
- High protein – Chicken breasts are the star of this dish. Serve with your favorite sides and you’ll have a lean protein featured balanced meal.
- Simple ingredients + big flavor – There is truly nothing complicated about this recipe! So easy and big, savory flavor!
- So fast! – Only 5 minutes of prep then toss it in the oven for 25 minutes.
Recipe Notes
This French Onion Chicken Bake recipe is as simple as promised! Just a a few simple ingredients and 5 minutes of prep for a family friendly meal.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make this easy french onion baked chicken to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Chicken breast – Cut and pound boneless skinless chicken breasts into cutlets. You could also use chicken tenders or thighs.
- Condensed french onion soup – Find the 10.5 oz can in the soup aisle. I use Campbell’s blend. The word condensed is printed very small. You won’t add water to this.
- French onion dip – I like Dean’s, but you can use any brand you prefer. Even a store brand works great! You’ll only need 3/4 cup, so you’ll get to keep the rest on hand for snacking!
- Provolone cheese – Other cheeses that are traditional to french onion soup and will work well are Gruyére, Swiss or even Mozzarella.
- Spices– salt, pepper, garlic powder
- Croutons– I use garlic flavor, but you can use any flavor you like!
- Butter
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this easy dinner recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Chicken and onion bake – Sauté a sliced yellow onion in butter until translucent and add to the bottom of the pan with the condensed french onion soup.
- Seasoned croutons – Not only do croutons add crunchy texture to this chicken bake, they also add quite a bit of flavor. Change it up a bit by trying a differently seasoned crouton. Some great options are Cheese & Garlic, Garlic & Butter, Garlic & Onion, or Parmesan & Herbs.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make French Onion Chicken Bake.
Place the croutons into a bag and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to crush. Add the melted butter and toss with the croutons.
Pour condensed soup into the bottom of a baking dish. (Do not add water.) Layer the chicken cutlets in a single layer on top of the soup.
Season chicken cutlets with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Spread a dollop of french onion dip onto each chicken breast and top with provolone cheese.
Sprinkle the crouton mixture over the top of the dish, then bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t add water – Although you traditionally add water to condensed soup, it’s not necessary for this recipe. Just add the soup to the bottom of the 9×13 baking dish and swirl to evenly coat the dish.
- Cook chicken through – Ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165° by using a meat thermometer.
- Let it rest – Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This will keep the creamy topping and melted cheese from sliding off the chicken when you serve it.
- Pound evenly – Pound the chicken to an even thickness. This will ensure it cooks evenly and doesn’t leave some pieces undercooked, while others might get overcooked.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Butcher’s help– Instead of cutting and pounding chicken breasts into cutlets, ask the butcher at your grocery store for cutlets.
- Prep chicken in advance– Cut and pound the chicken into cutlets up to 24 hours in advance. Placing all ingredients together into the baking pan before cooking should now only take you 2 or 3 minutes!
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this french baked chicken recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze before cooking
- Assemble the recipe fully in a freezer-safe dish (skip baking)
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil
- Label and freeze
- When ready to cook, allow to thaw in fridge for up to 24 hours, then following baking instructions. Check internal temperature to ensure it is cooked through.
How to Freeze French Onion Chicken Bake After Cooking
- Allow the chicken to cool completely.
- Place it in a freezer safe container. Save any extra french onion soup, too!
- Place in freezer for up to
What to Serve with French Onion Chicken Bake
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of savory onions, creamy cheese and tender chicken, it will pair well with many of your favorite traditional side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
- Mashed Potatoes– I love these slow cooker mashed potatoes! It’s an easy side idea that saves you so much time!
- Maple Glazed Carrots
- BEST Ever Garlic Bread
- Side salad with homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Roasted Vegetables
- Garlic Smashed Potatoes– My kids beg for these! They are so good!
French Onion Chicken Bake Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- French Onion Chicken and Rice– Chop leftover chicken and stir it around in the baking pan to coat with condensed soup. Add some buttery caramelized onions. Mix all together, serve over white rice and sprinkle on some light mozzarella.
- French Onion Chicken Sub– Cut a sub roll in half and spread with butter. Broil on low until butter is melted and the edges are golden. Remove from the oven and place leftover chicken on the roll, add sliced onions, top with additional provolone cheese, if desired. Place back in the oven for 10 minutes at 350° or until heated through.
- French Onion Chicken Pizza– On a prepared pizza crust, spread a thin layer of olive oil and garlic salt. Top with Italian blend cheese, leftover chopped chicken. Consider adding sliced mushrooms, diced red onions and parmesan cheese. Bake as directed.
Recipe FAQ’s
What does french onion soup taste like?
French onion soup is a savory, rich, comforting soup. It features slowly caramelized onions and beef broth. It is traditionally topped with a toasted bread that becomes soaked in broth and covered in melted, stretchy cheese.
What are common mistakes for baking chicken?
A few of the most common mistakes would be to overcook the chicken (use an internal thermometer to assist you in this), skipping the resting period (which causes juices to escape), and not pounding the breasts to an even thickness.
More EASY Chicken Bake Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy chicken bake recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan
- BBQ Chicken Bake
- Million Dollar Chicken Bake
- Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake
- Baked Feta Chicken
French Onion Chicken Bake
Ingredients
- 10.5 ounce can condensed french onion soup
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut or pounded into thin cutlets
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ cup French onion dip
- 4 ounces provolone cheese
- 1 cup croutons, I used garlic flavor
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375˚F.
- Pour the condensed french onion soup in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish and swirl to evenly coat the dish. Lay the chicken cutlets in a single layer on top of the soup and season with salt, pepper and garlic powder.(Do not add any liquid to the soup, just pour what is in the can into the bottom of the baking dish.)
- Spread a dollop of french onion dip over the top of each chicken breast. Top with provolone cheese.
- Place the croutons in a bag and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to crush the croutons. Add the melted butter and toss with the croutons until coated.
- Sprinkle the crouton mixture over the top of the dish, then bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through (165˚F internal temperature.)*The cooking time will vary based on how thick your chicken is. Thinner chicken will cook more quickly and thicker pieces may take longer.
Recipe Notes
- Shown here garnished with freshly chopped parsley.
- Find the condensed French Onion Soup on the soup aisle. I use Campbell’s brand soup. The word condensed is printed very small so look for the 10.5 ounce can that says French Onion soup prominently. Every store I have ever shopped at has carried this, so hopefully it is easy to find at your local store.
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