vegan french onion chicken casserole - hot for food

Ingredients

• 8 oz / 227g vegan chicken pieces
• 1 to 2 tbsp avocado oil or vegetable oil
• 2 white or yellow onions, sliced (about 4 cups sliced)
• 3 tbsp vegan butter, divided
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• 1 ½ C elbow macaroni
• 1 ¼ C reserved pasta water
• 3 C mozzarella style shreds, divided
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp white wine vinegar
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp vegan beef flavored bouillon paste or vegan worcestershire
• 2 C finely chopped lacinato or leafy kale, stems removed
• 1 C garlic croutons (optional) * see note