With hunks of crusty sourdough bread, candy onions, and juicy rooster baked to crispy, caramelized perfection, this straightforward French Onion Hen recipe transforms the flavors and elements of French onion soup into a straightforward weeknight one-pan dinner.
Put the phrases “French Onion” in entrance of nearly any recipe, and I’m just about assured to love it.
French onion rooster? Say no extra. Simply seize me a fork.
Complete roast rooster isn’t one thing I make typically (I’m extra of a Baked Chicken Thighs woman for ease), however once I noticed a recipe for a French-onion-inspired roast rooster in Cooking Mild, I couldn’t put it out of my head.
As tantalizing because the recipe sounded, I prevented the recipe as a result of it was simply too fussy.
It known as for caramelizing the onions and fixing a sauce in a single pan, scraping all of it onto a second pan to bake, and butterflying a rooster—sorry, an excessive amount of work for my common Tuesday (this straightforward Italian Chicken is extra my type).
Nonetheless, I used to be to not be dissuaded simply.
I used to be decided to make a straightforward French onion rooster, and, pals, this recipe is it!
5 Star Evaluation
“Have made this recipe virtually 10 occasions now and it’s one among our all-time faves. SO DELISH.”
— Anna —
I really like when massive concepts flip into one thing really magical.
Caramelizing onions on a sheet pan within the oven and utilizing that very same pan to bake the rooster and toast the bread was a complete experiment.
It labored even higher than I imagined!
- The onions break down within the oven, sweeten, and switch into an excellent caramelized sauce that’s superb for spooning proper over the rooster and bread. (I wager it will be divine on Smothered Pork Chops too.)
- The roughly minimize bread items remodel into massive, golden, frivolously crispy “croutons” that take up the rooster’s juices for optimum taste.
- A contact of Dijon mustard (so French!), actual butter, entire cloves of roasted garlic, and a sprinkle of contemporary thyme take this dish to all new ranges of delish.
Spoiler Alert: Should you love my Instant Pot French Onion Soup, you’ll love this wholesome French onion rooster thighs recipe much more.
Make French Onion Hen
This straightforward and wholesome French onion rooster oven recipe is made with easy, healthful elements and no soup combine.
Ready on a single sheet pan (like Maple Dijon Chicken and Vegetables) for simple clean-up, it comes collectively in proper round an hour.
The Elements
- Hen. Tender and juicy bone-in and skin-on rooster thighs had been my protein alternative for this recipe (and Rosemary Chicken Thighs) as a result of they keep moist within the oven when uncovered to excessive oven temperatures. Plus, they’ve a bit extra richness than rooster breasts, which I really feel compliments the French onion-inspired flavors of this recipe.
- Onions. Seize the biggest onion you’ll find and slice it skinny. Skinny slices caramelize greatest throughout the recipe’s cook dinner time. I like to recommend yellow onion for this straightforward French onion rooster recipe.
- Garlic. For a bit additional zip and fragrant bliss.
- Sourdough Bread. For the BEST French onion rooster croutons, splurge on a loaf of high-quality sourdough (entire grain, if attainable) from an area bakery. It makes a world of distinction.
- Dijon Mustard. Somewhat French Dijon mustard enhances this dish’s herbs and onion flavors. (Dijon can be key on this Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin.)
- Thyme. A contemporary herb that accents the onions, rooster, and garlic.
- Butter + Olive Oil. This mix of fat provides richness and ensures most crispness of each the croutons and rooster pores and skin.
The Instructions
- Mix the onions, bread cubes, and garlic cloves in a big bowl.
- Whisk the butter, oil, and mustard.
- Pour the combination over the onions and bread and toss to coat.
- Put all the pieces on a pan.
TIP!
Crowding the pan is your secret to success! Usually, crowding a pan of roasted veggies is their demise, however within the case of this French onion rooster bake, it really works in our favor by making certain the onions’ candy juices don’t escape.
- Bake French onion rooster till the bread is toasted and the rooster is absolutely cooked, tossing partway by.
TIP!
Hen thighs are absolutely cooked after they register 160 levels F on an instant-read thermometer inserted on the thickest half.
- Plan on 30 extra minutes for smaller thighs and 35 to 40 minutes for bigger thighs.
- If some rooster items cook dinner extra shortly than others, take away the cooked items to a plate and canopy to maintain them heat, then return the pan to the oven and proceed baking till the entire rooster is cooked by.
- Sprinkle all the pieces with contemporary thyme. Serve sizzling with the croutons and a spoonful of the roasted onions and garlic excessive. ENJOY!
Storage Ideas
- To Retailer. Leftovers could also be saved within the fridge for as much as 3 days in an hermetic container.
- To Reheat. For greatest outcomes, heat leftovers on a sheet pan in a 350-degree F oven till the rooster is heated by and the croutons have crisped. Leftover French onion rooster can also be microwaved. Nonetheless, the rooster pores and skin and croutons won’t be as crisp.
- To Freeze. Leftovers could also be frozen for as much as 3 months. Let defrost in a single day within the fridge, then reheat as directed above.
What to Serve with French Onion Hen
Aspect Dishes
Oven Roasted Potatoes
Aspect Dishes
Roasted Broccolini
Sluggish Cooker
Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Beneficial Instruments to Make this Recipe
- Sheet Pan. These have been a staple in my kitchen for a few years.
- Measuring Cup. A necessary measuring software no kitchen must be with out.
- Chef’s Knife. Excellent for chopping, slicing, and dicing.
The Greatest Sheet Pans
These sheet pans are made out of pure aluminum, which gained’t rust, will increase their sturdiness, and permits for even warmth distribution.
This straightforward sheet pan French Onion Hen may have everybody at your dinner desk saying, ooo la la!
Incessantly Requested Questions
Certain! I omitted cheese from the recipe because it was meant to be a wholesome French onion rooster thigh recipe. Nonetheless, when you want a bit cheese in your life, I assist you. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese over the rooster and croutons throughout the remaining 3-5 minutes of baking. Take away when melted and bubbly.
I’d not suggest making this recipe in a sluggish cooker. The sheet pan and excessive oven temps are essential for caramelizing the onions and crisping the rooster pores and skin and croutons. For a tasty sluggish cooker rooster recipe, do that Crockpot Italian Chicken.
I’ve solely ever made this recipe with rooster thighs, so utilizing legs could be an experiment. Should you resolve to attempt it, I’d love to listen to the way it goes.
- 1 jumbo yellow onion thinly sliced (about 12 ounces or 3 1/2 cups)
- 8 ounces good-quality sourdough bread entire grain if attainable, minimize into 1 1/2-inch cubes (about 3 1/2 heaped cups)
- 8 cloves garlic peeled and left entire
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt divided
- 2 1/4 kilos bone-in, skin-on rooster breasts minimize in half crosswise by the bone (facet to facet, so you’ve two extra “sq.” vs. lengthy items)—about 3 breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped contemporary thyme
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Place a rack within the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 levels F. For simple cleanup, line a big, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil, parchment paper, or a silicone baking mat.
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Place the onions, bread cubes, and garlic cloves in a big bowl.
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In a small heatproof bowl or liquid measuring cup, soften the butter. Whisk the olive oil, mustard, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt with the butter.
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Pour the combination over the onions and bread. Toss to coat as evenly as attainable. Flip the combination out onto the ready baking sheet. Unfold into a good layer.
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Nestle the rooster items into the onion combination. It could actually overlap the onions a bit, however be sure that it doesn’t cowl the bread. Sprinkle the rooster with the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper.
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Bake for quarter-hour, then take away the pan from the oven and thoroughly flip the bread cubes. Return to the oven and bake till the bread is deeply golden and the rooster registers 160 levels F on an instant-read thermometer inserted on the thickest half, about 15 extra minutes for smaller items and 20 to 25 minutes for bigger items. (If some rooster items cook dinner extra shortly than others, take away the cooked items to a plate and canopy to maintain them heat, then return the pan to the oven and proceed baking till the entire rooster is cooked by.)
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Sprinkle all the pieces with contemporary thyme. Switch the rooster to plates. Serve sizzling with the croutons and a spoonful of the roasted onions and garlic excessive.
- TIP: Should you’d just like the bread to be additional crispy, you’ll be able to switch all of the rooster items to a plate (cowl the plate with foil to maintain the rooster heat), then flip the bread as soon as extra and return the pan to the oven for five to 7 extra minutes, or till the bread reaches your required crispness. Take away from oven, then function directed with a sprinkle of thyme.
- TO STORE: Leftovers could also be saved within the fridge for as much as 3 days in an hermetic container.
- TO REHEAT: For greatest outcomes, heat leftovers on a sheet pan in a 350-degree F oven till the rooster is heated by and the croutons have crisped. Leftover French onion rooster can also be microwaved. Nonetheless, the rooster pores and skin and croutons won’t be as crisp.
- TO FREEZE: Leftovers could also be frozen for as much as 3 months. Let defrost in a single day within the fridge, then reheat as directed above.
Serving: 1servingEnergy: 583kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 61gFats: 21gSaturated Fats: 6gPolyunsaturated Fats: 3gMonounsaturated Fats: 9gTrans Fats: 0.3gLdl cholesterol: 178mgPotassium: 1102mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 381IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 76mgIron: 4mg
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