Crispy Chicken with Caramelized Onions (Printable)
Golden breaded chicken topped with caramelized onions and gooey cheese - a hearty family main.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1½ cups panko breadcrumbs
05 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1 teaspoon paprika
08 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Caramelized Onions
10 - 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
13 - 1 teaspoon sugar
14 - ¼ teaspoon salt
15 - 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
→ Cheese and Assembly
16 - 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
17 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
18 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions, sugar, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions turn deep golden and become soft, about 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in balsamic vinegar during the last few minutes if using. Set aside.
03 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Set up a breading station: dredge each breast in flour, dip in beaten eggs, then press into a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan until evenly coated.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear breaded chicken for 2 to 3 minutes per side until a golden crust forms. Do not cook through. Transfer seared chicken to the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Spoon a generous layer of caramelized onions over each chicken breast. Scatter shredded mozzarella and cheddar evenly on top of the onions.
06 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
07 - Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the chicken before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The contrast of shatteringly crispy chicken against silky caramelized onions is the kind of texture pairing that makes you close your eyes on the first bite.
- Everything bakes on one sheet, so cleanup is almost too easy for something this impressive.
02 -
- The chicken will not cook through during the pan searing step, and that is intentional, because the oven finishes the job while melting the cheese.
- Resist the urge to rush the onions on high heat, because true caramelization needs low steady heat to develop that deep sweet flavor without scorching.
03 -
- Use one hand for the egg and the other for the dry coatings to avoid breading your own fingers into a sticky mess.
- Let the caramelized onions cool slightly before piling them on the chicken so they do not slide right off during baking.