This French Onion Chicken Pasta is a creamy, cheesy dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes. Tender chicken, savory onions, and a rich Gruyere sauce make it a weeknight winner you'll want on repeat.
Some nights you just want dinner to feel fancy without all the fuss, and that's exactly why I love this creamy French onion pasta. Sweet onions, tender chicken, and gooey Gruyère come together in one skillet for a comforting, cheesy meal that's ready in just 30 minutes. It works well for a quick weeknight dinner but is delicious enough for entertaining guests.
Looking for even more weeknight chicken pasta inspiration? Don't miss our marry me chicken pasta and creamy chicken fajita pasta recipes.
Summarize and Save This Content On
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Fast Weeknight Dinner: This easy French onion pasta comes together in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy nights. Try our fettuccine alfredo for another easy 30 minute meal.
- Rich & Flavorful: Sweet caramelized onions and Gruyere create a delicious, savory sauce with minimal effort.
- Family Friendly: Tender chicken and pasta make it a crowd-pleaser for everyone at the table.
- One-Pot Convenience: Everything comes together in a single skillet, creating a creamy French onion chicken dinner with minimal cleanup. Try our beef and broccoli recipe for another one-pot favorite.
Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken works best for quick cooking. Cut into bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
- Pasta: Penne is ideal because its shape holds the creamy sauce well. Cook to al dente so it maintains texture when mixed with the sauce. For more cheesy, flavorful pasta recipes, check out our creamy Tuscan sausage pasta.
- Gruyere Cheese: Melts smoothly into the sauce, giving a rich, nutty flavor.
- Chicken Broth: Forms the base of the sauce, adding savory depth. Use low-sodium to control seasoning.
- Sour Cream: Makes the sauce creamy and tangy. Bring to room temperature before adding to avoid curdling.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Creamy Mushroom Addition: Add sliced mushrooms along with the onions for a more earthy flavor. The combination creates a rich, satisfying sauce, much like our creamy chicken and mushroom pasta.
- Spicy Kick: Add a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño while cooking the onions for a subtle, flavorful heat.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free penne pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Extra Cheesy: Stir in a handful of Parmesan or Fontina cheese along with the Gruyère for an extra creamy, rich, and indulgent sauce.
How to Make French Onion Chicken Pasta
Making this French onion pasta with chicken is so simple, and it comes together in about 30 minutes. Before you start, gather your ingredients and get a large skillet ready for cooking both the chicken and the sauce.
- Step 1: Cook the Pasta. Boil a pot of salted water and cook the penne until al dente. Drain and set aside while you prepare the chicken.
- Step 2: Season and Cook the Chicken. Toss the chicken pieces with black pepper, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and thyme. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove it from the skillet.
- Step 3: Mix the Sauce. Whisk together the chicken broth, cornstarch, black pepper, rosemary, garlic, and rice vinegar in a bowl.
- Step 4: Cook the Onions. Add the butter and sliced onions to the same skillet, cooking until the onions are soft and translucent. Lower the heat and pour in the broth mixture, stirring until it thickens, then mix in the sour cream until smooth.
- Step 5: Combine Everything. Return the chicken to the skillet and add the cooked pasta. Toss everything together and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes so the flavors meld. Serve hot with some fresh Dutch oven bread.
Expert Tips
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Slightly undercooking the penne ensures it won't get mushy when tossed with the creamy sauce.
- Caramelize the Onions Slowly: Cook the onions over medium heat until soft and translucent for maximum sweetness and flavor in the sauce.
- Make-Ahead: Prepare the chicken and sauce a day ahead and refrigerate separately. When ready to serve, reheat gently on the stove and toss with freshly cooked pasta.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on low heat with a splash of chicken broth to restore creaminess.
Serving Suggestions
- This French onion chicken works great for a busy weeknight meal, pair it with a tasty cucumber and tomato salad or brown sugar honey glazed carrots for a complete meal.
- Serve at your next dinner party or potluck, everyone will love this creamy pasta. Add a side of cheesy breadsticks to make it extra satisfying.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Short pasta shapes, such as rigatoni, fusilli, or farfalle, work well to hold the creamy sauce, although cooking times may vary slightly.
The easiest way is to taste it! Most short pastas, such as penne, shells, or orecchiette, take approximately 10 minutes to reach al dente. At that point, bite into a piece; it should be firm with a slight chew, and the center should no longer look raw or white.
For best results, freeze the chicken and sauce separately from the pasta in airtight containers. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and gently reheat on the stovetop. Then, toss with freshly cooked pasta to keep it creamy and prevent mushiness.
More Delicious Pasta Recipes
French Onion Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta uncooked
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup Gruyere cheese shredded
For The Sauce
- 1 medium yellow onion sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon rosemary
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 cup sour cream
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season the chicken with black pepper, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and thyme.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken into the skillet and cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and place it on a plate
- In a bowl, add chicken broth, cornstarch, black pepper, rosemary, garlic, and rice vinegar. Whisk until well combined and set aside.
- Add butter and onions to the skillet. Cook until translucent and soft.
- Lower the heat to medium and pour the sauce into the skillet, occasionally stirring until the sauce thickens. Then, stir in the sour cream until well combined.
- Add chicken and pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Let everything simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Serve while hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Cook the pasta just until al dente so it holds up when tossed with the creamy sauce.
Cook the onions slowly until soft and translucent to bring out their natural sweetness. - Stir the sauce gently and combine with the chicken and pasta carefully to keep the pasta intact and coated evenly.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
Ryan Allen
All that yummy french onion soup flavor in a comforting pasta recipe.