Description
Succulent baked French onion meatballs combine classic comfort with French bistro flair. Melted gruyère cheese and caramelized onion sauce elevate these hearty protein-packed bites for home cooks seeking restaurant-quality flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1.25 pounds ground chicken
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 slice whole grain bread
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 3–4 medium yellow onions, sliced
- 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoons fresh sage
Liquids, Dairy, and Bread:
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 3/4 cup dry white wine
- 2.5 cups chicken broth
- 0.25 cup whole milk or cream
- 6 slices French bread
- 1 cup gruyere cheese
Instructions
- Heat oven to 450F and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish to prepare for cooking.
- Combine ground chicken with softened bread crumbs, beaten egg, and selected herbs, gently mixing until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Shape mixture into uniform meatballs, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
- Arrange meatballs in prepared baking dish and roast for 15 minutes until exterior develops a crisp golden crust while remaining slightly undercooked internally.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a skillet and slowly caramelize onions over medium-low heat, gradually introducing wine to enhance depth of flavor during 25-30 minute cooking process.
- Add sliced mushrooms and fresh herbs to onion mixture, then pour in rich broth and allow ingredients to simmer together.
- Transfer partially cooked meatballs into sauce, letting them continue cooking and absorbing surrounding flavors for approximately 10 minutes.
- Gently stir heavy cream into sauce, creating a luxurious and velvety texture.
- Top meatballs with toasted bread slices and sprinkle generously with cheese.
- Broil for 3-5 minutes until cheese melts and develops a golden, bubbly surface.
Notes
- Enhance texture by using day-old bread for more substantial breadcrumbs, ensuring a perfect moisture balance in meatballs.
- Select lean ground chicken for a lighter version, or swap with ground turkey or beef to match personal protein preferences.
- Control sodium by using low-sodium broth and monitoring added salt, making the dish more heart-friendly and adaptable.
- Elevate flavor complexity by experimenting with different cheese blends like Gruyère and aged Parmesan for deeper, more nuanced taste profiles.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 110mg