Description
French Onion Chicken Orzo is a delicious, creamy casserole featuring tender cooked chicken, orzo pasta, and a savory blend of cream of chicken soup, French onion dip, and cheddar cheese. Topped with crispy fried onions, this comforting baked dish combines rich flavors and textures for an easy weeknight meal that serves 8.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 (10.5-oz) can Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 (16-oz) container sour cream French onion dip
- 2½ cups chicken stock
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 (16-oz) package orzo pasta (uncooked)
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 3 cups cooked chopped chicken
- 1 (6-oz) can French’s crispy fried onions, divided
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish generously with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside for assembling the casserole.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, French onion dip, chicken stock, half of the shredded cheddar cheese (about 1.5 cups), onion powder, garlic powder, and half of the crispy fried onions. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to your liking, then stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Pour the prepared chicken and orzo mixture into the sprayed 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Then sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top along with the remaining crispy fried onions. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to keep moisture in during baking.
- Bake the Casserole: Bake the covered casserole in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. After this initial baking, remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese melts fully and the casserole is bubbly and golden on top.
Notes
- Make sure to use uncooked orzo pasta as it cooks in the casserole during baking.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper after tasting the mixed ingredients before baking.
- Covering the dish during the initial part of baking helps cook the orzo evenly and keeps the casserole moist.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead and baked just before serving for convenience.
- For a lighter version, use reduced-fat sour cream dip and lower-fat cheese.
