Tasty French Onion Chicken Soup

Section: Comforting Soups & Stews: Warm Bowls of Flavor and Goodness

This inventive dish merges the sweet flavor of caramelized onions with chunks of tender chicken and veggies, crowned with optional Gruyère melted toast. Great for chilly evenings.

iamcooker.com
Sofia Pitt sofia
Most recent update: Fri, 25 Apr 2025 19:01:06 GMT
A close-up view of a pot filled with chicken stew, featuring sliced chicken, carrots, onions, and herbs in a thick, savory broth. Save
A close-up view of a pot filled with chicken stew, featuring sliced chicken, carrots, onions, and herbs in a thick, savory broth. | iamcooker.com

I gotta tell you about my ultimate soup mashup! This combo of French Onion and Chicken Soup brings together the sweet caramelized onions we all crave with a hearty chicken broth that'll warm you to your toes. Your house will smell amazing while those onions slowly turn golden and sweet. And when you add those bubbly, cheesy bread toppers? Trust me, it's something special!

What Makes This Soup Irresistible

I can't get enough of this dish because it takes the cozy goodness of French onion soup and bulks it up with juicy chicken and veggies. It's now my number one comfort food that still looks fancy when friends come over. I also love that I can stash extra portions in the freezer for those nights when cooking feels impossible!

Must-Have Components

  • Onions: They're the backbone here and need plenty of time to get all caramelized and delicious.
  • Chicken: Thighs pack more flavor but you can't go wrong with breast meat either.
  • Vegetables: The carrots and celery bring brightness and texture to every spoonful.
  • Wine and Sherry: Even a little bit transforms the whole pot.
  • Gruyère Cheese: That melted topping is what dreams are made of!

Creating Something Special

Caramelization Wonder
Take your time here the transformation from sharp to sweet is worth watching.
Veggie Foundation
Those crunchy vegetables add such wonderful dimension to the soup.
Don't Miss This
The deglazing step captures all that stuck-on goodness from the pot bottom.
Slow Cooking Magic
Let everything bubble away until your chicken turns perfectly tender.
Putting It Together
Pulling apart the chicken means you'll get a bit in every delicious spoonful.

Insider Advice

Don't rush those onions the 35 45 minutes they need makes all the difference! And keep your eyes on those cheese toasts under the broiler they'll go from golden to charcoal in the blink of an eye!

Personalize Your Bowl

I've made a meatless version that works surprisingly well. If you're a fan of richer flavors go for those chicken thighs. This soup tastes even better the next day and freezes like a dream just heat it up slowly when you want it.

Great Side Matches

Nothing beats this soup with a crisp green salad on the side! Grab some crusty bread for sopping up that flavorful broth. When I'm really hungry I'll throw in some oven-roasted veggies too.

The Science Behind The Deliciousness

It's amazing how these simple ingredients transform when combined. Every phase adds another flavor dimension from the sweet onions to the savory broth. No wonder everyone always asks me for the recipe!

Closing Thoughts

This soup really gives you two classics in one incredible bowl! It's perfect whether you need something cozy or want to wow dinner guests. After your first spoonful you'll see exactly why it's become a permanent fixture in my cooking rotation!

A close-up view of a bowl of chicken soup with carrots, onions, and butter, garnished with thyme, alongside slices of bread.
A close-up view of a bowl of chicken soup with carrots, onions, and butter, garnished with thyme, alongside slices of bread. | iamcooker.com

Overview

This onion chicken soup combines two beloved comfort meals into a single satisfying bowl. Slowly browned onions and juicy chicken pieces create amazing depth, while the optional cheese-covered bread adds a touch of luxury.

Recipe Q&A

→ Can I prep this beforehand?

Absolutely, you can keep this soup in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze it for 3 months. Just make your cheese toasts fresh right before eating.

→ What wine works best?

Go for a dry white like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. Pick something you'd enjoy drinking since it'll really affect the taste.

→ Can I swap out the cheese?

Though Gruyère is the classic choice, you can try Swiss cheese or mix Swiss with Parmesan for a similar taste experience.

→ Are the cheese toasts necessary?

Not at all. The soup tastes great by itself or you can pair it with regular crusty bread instead.

→ Why should I butterfly chicken breasts?

Cutting thick chicken breasts this way helps them cook through at the same rate as everything else in the pot.

Onion Chicken Broth Delight

A filling blend that brings together sweet caramelized onions and juicy chicken chunks, with a crusty cheese-covered bread option on top.

Prep Duration
20 min
Cooking Period
85 min
Entire Time Required
105 min
Sofia Pitt: sofia


Difficulty: Moderate

Regional Style: French

Output: 8 Portions (11 cups)

Dietary Attributes: ~

Needed Ingredients

01 3 pounds yellow onions (roughly 4 big or 6 smaller ones).
02 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, split up.
03 1 teaspoon dried thyme.
04 2 dried bay leaves.
05 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, split up.
06 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
07 3 medium carrots.
08 3 medium stalks celery.
09 3 cloves garlic.
10 2 pounds chicken without skin or bones, breasts or thighs.
11 3/4 cup dry white wine.
12 1 tablespoon dry sherry.
13 1/4 cup all-purpose flour.
14 6 cups chicken broth, low-sodium type.
15 1/2 baguette (for the toasty tops).
16 2 ounces Gruyère cheese (for the toasty tops).

Preparation Steps

Step 01

Cut onions into thin slices. Mix with butter, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper, then cook until they turn soft and golden brown, about 35-45 minutes.

Step 02

Chop up carrots and celery into small 1/4-inch bits, crush garlic. Toss them in with the onions along with the rest of your butter.

Step 03

Sprinkle chicken with salt. If you're using thick breast pieces, cut them open like a book.

Step 04

Dump in wine and sherry, let it bubble away until nearly gone. Stir in flour and cook for just a minute.

Step 05

Pour in broth and drop in chicken. Let it all simmer until chicken hits 165°F. Pull chicken out, shred it up, then toss it back in.

Step 06

If you want: Cut baguette into slices, sprinkle cheese on top, and broil till it gets all melty.

Supplementary Details

  1. You can keep this in your fridge for up to 4 days.
  2. Chuck it in the freezer and it'll stay good for 3 months.
  3. Don't worry, you can skip the cheesy toasts if you want.

Necessary Tools

  • Big pot or Dutch oven.
  • Cookie sheet.
  • Cheese grater.

Allergen Advisory

Review each item for allergens. Consult a medical expert if unsure.
  • Dairy stuff (butter and cheese).
  • Wheat stuff (flour and baguette).

Nutrient Breakdown (per serving)

This information is provided for reference and should not replace consultation with a health professional.
  • Caloric Value: 410
  • Total Fat: 13.5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 34.8 g
  • Proteins: 33.9 g