Okay, so I’ve been really into experimenting with my slow cooker lately, and let me tell you, this French onion soup with chicken is a total game-changer. I mean, I’ve always loved the classic French onion soup, but adding chicken just takes it to a whole new level of hearty and satisfying.
I started this whole thing one lazy Sunday morning. First, I grabbed about two pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts – you could use thighs too, but I had breasts on hand. I sprinkled them with some salt, pepper, a bit of paprika, and garlic powder, and make sure to rub it all over to get that flavor into the chicken.
Then came the onions. Oh boy, the onions! I sliced up about three large yellow onions. It was a bit of a teary process, but totally worth it. I tossed them into the slow cooker, and then I laid the seasoned chicken right on top of those onions, creating a cozy little bed for the chicken.
Next up, I poured in four cups of beef broth – I used a low-sodium one to keep things a bit healthier. Then, I added a splash of Worcestershire sauce, maybe about a tablespoon, just to give it that extra depth of flavor. I also threw in a couple of bay leaves for that aromatic touch. Don’t forget to remove them later, though!
I covered the slow cooker, set it to low, and walked away. That’s the beauty of slow cookers, right? You just set it and forget it. I let it cook for about 6 to 8 hours – basically, I went about my day, did some chores, watched some TV, and just let the slow cooker do its magic.
Once the chicken was cooked through and super tender, I took it out of the slow cooker and shredded it with two forks. It was so juicy and falling apart – exactly what I wanted. Then, I put the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker with the onions and broth, gave it a good stir, and let it simmer for another 30 minutes or so, just to let all those flavors meld together.
Now, here’s where it gets really good. I ladled the soup into some oven-safe bowls, and I put thick slices of baguette on top of each bowl. Then, I topped it all off with a generous amount of shredded Gruyere cheese. I mean, you can’t have French onion soup without that melty, gooey cheese, right?
I popped those bowls under the broiler for a few minutes, just until the cheese was all melted and bubbly and golden brown. The smell was absolutely incredible.
- Seasoned the chicken and placed it over sliced onions in the slow cooker.
- Added beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaves.
- Cooked on low for 6-8 hours.
- Shredded the chicken, then returned it to the slow cooker for another 30 minutes.
- Topped with baguette and Gruyere cheese, then broiled until golden.
Here’s a quick recap of what I did:
I served it up, and wow, it was amazing. The chicken was so tender and flavorful, the onions were sweet and caramelized, and the cheese was just the perfect finishing touch. It’s such a simple meal, but it tastes like it took hours of work. It is also super easy to freeze this soup! I just packed up the rest into some airtight containers, making sure to leave the bread out, and popped them in the freezer. Now I’ve got some delicious homemade soup ready to go whenever I need a quick and comforting meal. Reheating is a breeze too, whether on the stove or in the microwave. If it’s from frozen, I just make sure to heat it gently.
Honestly, this chicken French onion soup is definitely going into my regular rotation. It’s easy, it’s delicious, and it’s perfect for a cozy night in. If you’ve got a slow cooker, you’ve gotta try this!
