With hunks of crusty sourdough bread, candy onions, and juicy hen baked to crispy, caramelized perfection, this straightforward French Onion Hen recipe transforms the flavors and elements of French onion soup into a simple 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 hen? Say no extra. Simply seize me a fork.
Complete roast hen isn’t one thing I make usually (I’m extra of a Baked Hen Thighs woman for ease), however once I noticed a recipe for a French-onion-inspired roast hen in Cooking Gentle, I couldn’t put it out of my head.
As tantalizing because the recipe sounded, I averted 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 hen—sorry, an excessive amount of work for my common Tuesday (this straightforward Italian Hen is extra my fashion).
Nevertheless, I used to be to not be dissuaded simply.
I used to be decided to make a simple French onion hen, and, mates, this recipe is it!
5 Star Evaluation
“Have made this recipe nearly 10 occasions now and it’s certainly one of our all-time faves. SO DELISH.”
— Anna —
I really like when large 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 hen 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 a wonderful caramelized sauce that’s preferrred for spooning proper over the hen and bread. (I guess it could be divine on Smothered Pork Chops too.)
- The roughly lower bread items rework into large, golden, evenly crispy “croutons” that soak up the hen’s juices for optimum taste.
- A contact of Dijon mustard (so French!), actual butter, entire cloves of roasted garlic, and a sprinkle of recent thyme take this dish to all new ranges of delish.
Spoiler Alert: When you love my Immediate Pot French Onion Soup, you’ll love this wholesome French onion hen thighs recipe much more.
How one can Make French Onion Hen
This straightforward and wholesome French onion hen oven recipe is made with easy, healthful elements and no soup combine.
Ready on a single sheet pan (like Maple Dijon Hen and Greens) for simple clean-up, it comes collectively in proper round an hour.
The Elements
- Hen. Tender and juicy bone-in and skin-on hen thighs have been my protein alternative for this recipe (and Rosemary Hen 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 hen breasts, which I really feel compliments the French onion-inspired flavors of this recipe.
- Onions. Seize the most important onion you could find and slice it skinny. Skinny slices caramelize greatest inside the recipe’s cook dinner time. I like to recommend yellow onion for this straightforward French onion hen recipe.
- Garlic. For slightly further zip and fragrant bliss.
- Sourdough Bread. For the BEST French onion hen croutons, splurge on a loaf of high-quality sourdough (entire grain, if doable) from an area bakery. It makes a world of distinction.
- Dijon Mustard. A bit French Dijon mustard enhances this dish’s herbs and onion flavors. (Dijon can be key on this Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin.)
- Thyme. A recent herb that accents the onions, hen, and garlic.
- Butter + Olive Oil. This mixture of fat provides richness and ensures most crispness of each the croutons and hen 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 hen bake, it really works in our favor by making certain the onions’ candy juices don’t escape.
- Bake French onion hen till the bread is toasted and the hen is absolutely cooked, tossing partway via.
TIP!
Hen thighs are absolutely cooked once 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 hen items cook dinner extra rapidly 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 all the hen is cooked via.
- Sprinkle all the pieces with recent thyme. Serve scorching 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 hen is heated via and the croutons have crisped. Leftover French onion hen may additionally be microwaved. Nevertheless, the hen 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
Facet Dishes
Oven Roasted Potatoes
Facet Dishes
Roasted Broccolini
Gradual Cooker
Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Advisable 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 ought to be with out.
- Chef’s Knife. Good for chopping, slicing, and dicing.
The Finest Sheet Pans
These sheet pans are constructed from pure aluminum, which received’t rust, will increase their sturdiness, and permits for even warmth distribution.
This straightforward sheet pan French Onion Hen can have everybody at your dinner desk saying, ooo la la!
Often Requested Questions
Positive! I omitted cheese from the recipe because it was supposed to be a wholesome French onion hen thigh recipe. Nevertheless, if you happen to want slightly cheese in your life, I assist you. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese over the hen and croutons through the ultimate 3-5 minutes of baking. Take away when melted and bubbly.
I might not suggest making this recipe in a gradual cooker. The sheet pan and excessive oven temps are crucial for caramelizing the onions and crisping the hen pores and skin and croutons. For a tasty gradual cooker hen recipe, do this Crockpot Italian Hen.
I’ve solely ever made this recipe with hen thighs, so utilizing legs can be an experiment. When 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 doable, lower 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 hen breasts lower in half crosswise via the bone (aspect to aspect, so you may have two extra “sq.” vs. lengthy items)—about 3 breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped recent 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 doable. Flip the combination out onto the ready baking sheet. Unfold into a fair layer.
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Nestle the hen items into the onion combination. It will possibly overlap the onions slightly, however make certain it doesn’t cowl the bread. Sprinkle the hen 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 hen 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 hen items cook dinner extra rapidly 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 all the hen is cooked via.)
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Sprinkle all the pieces with recent thyme. Switch the hen to plates. Serve scorching with the croutons and a spoonful of the roasted onions and garlic excessive.
- TIP: When you’d just like the bread to be further crispy, you may switch all of the hen items to a plate (cowl the plate with foil to maintain the hen 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 hen is heated via and the croutons have crisped. Leftover French onion hen may additionally be microwaved. Nevertheless, the hen 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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