Creamy French Onion Chicken Pasta Bake

A cozy baked pasta dish featuring caramelized onions, tender chicken, and pasta tossed in a rich, creamy sauce, topped with melted cheese and baked until golden.

Ingredients

Preparation

1. 1.Slice the 300g chicken breast into thin, even pieces
2. 2.Peel and slice the 400g onions into thin rings
3. 3.Mince the 2 garlic cloves finely
4. 4.Strip the leaves from the 2 sprigs of thyme
5. 5.Grate the 100g Gruyère cheese and 50g Parmesan cheese separately
6. 6.Measure out 250ml penne pasta, 200ml double cream, 250ml chicken stock, 15ml Dijon mustard, 50g butter, and 30ml olive oil

Instructions

1. 1.Heat 15ml olive oil and 25g butter in a large frying pan over medium heat, then add the sliced onions and cook gently for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelised and golden brown
2. 2.Season the caramelised onions with salt and black pepper to taste, then transfer to a bowl and set aside
3. 3.In the same pan, heat the remaining 15ml olive oil and 25g butter over medium-high heat, add the chicken pieces and cook for 6-8 minutes until golden and cooked through, stirring occasionally
4. 4.Add the minced garlic and thyme leaves to the chicken, cook for 1 minute until fragrant
5. 5.Pour in the 250ml chicken stock and bring to a simmer, then add the 15ml Dijon mustard and stir well to combine
6. 6.Return the caramelised onions to the pan with the chicken and stock, add the bay leaf, and simmer for 3-4 minutes
7. 7.Remove the pan from heat and stir in the 200ml double cream until fully incorporated, then season with salt and black pepper to taste
8. 8.Meanwhile, cook the 250ml penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to packet instructions until al dente, then drain well
9. 9.Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan)
10. 10.Transfer the cooked pasta to a baking dish, pour the creamy chicken and onion sauce over the pasta and fold together gently until well combined
11. 11.Sprinkle the grated Gruyère cheese and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture
12. 12.Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until the cheese topping is melted, golden and bubbling at the edges
13. 13.Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 2 minutes before serving