Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken
Enjoy a delicious and easy slow cooker French onion chicken meal, where tender chicken meets melty cheese and sweet onions for a yummy dinner. Just mix, slow cook, and serve!
Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken
If you're looking for a tasty meal that's easy to make and sure to please the whole family, this slow cooker French onion chicken is perfect.
It's a no-fuss recipe that combines tender chicken with the rich, sweet flavor of caramelized onions, all topped off with melty cheese.
This dish is great for busy weekdays, lazy weekends, or even when you have guests over.
Whether you're in the mood for something comforting and flavorful or you need a reliable recipe for dinner, this French onion chicken will hit the spot.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Choose chicken breasts that are roughly the same size for even cooking. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer darker meat.
Chicken broth: You can use homemade or store-bought broth.
Worcestershire sauce: A little goes a long way, so it's added in moderation. If you’re looking for a gluten-free alternative, make sure to check the label as not all Worcestershire sauces are gluten-free.
Large onions: Yellow onions are ideal for their balance of sweet and savory flavors, but white onions can also be used for a sharper taste.
Onion soup mix: This adds a rich, savory flavor with minimal effort.
Salt and Pepper: Season to taste, but keep in mind the sodium content in both the chicken broth and onion soup mix.
Shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese: Gruyere adds a nutty, creamy touch, while Swiss cheese is slightly milder but still delicious.
Fresh parsley: Used for garnish, adding a burst of color and freshness to the dish.
How to Make slow cooker french onion chicken
Start by spraying the inside of your slow cooker with some nonstick spray. Then, put half of the chopped onions at the bottom.
Next, place your chicken breasts on top of these onions.
Now, grab a mixing bowl and mix together your broth and Worcestershire sauce. Pour this mix over your chicken.
Then, add your remaining onions and the onion soup mix on top of the chicken.
Place the lid back on the slow cooker.
Cook on low heat for about 5-6 hours.
You'll know it's ready when the chicken is soft and fully cooked.
Right before you're ready to eat, put a big handful of shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese on each chicken breast.
Put the lid back on just for a bit until the cheese melts and gets gooey. Serve your French onion chicken warm. If you like, you can make it look pretty with some fresh parsley on top.
Tips & Tricks to Make the Best Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken
Here are 10 tips and tricks to make your Crock Pot French onion chicken even better:
- Freeze Onions for No Tears: Pop the onions in the freezer for about 15 minutes before you cut them. This makes them easier to chop and reduces tears!
- Thicken the Sauce: If you like a thicker sauce, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with water and stir it into the sauce about 30 minutes before the cooking time is up.
- Use Chicken Thighs: If you prefer, you can use chicken thighs instead of breasts. They are juicier and more forgiving in the slow cooker.
- Prepped Onions: To save time, you can use frozen chopped onions instead of fresh. No need to thaw them first!
- Serve Over Something Hearty: Instead of just eating the chicken by itself, serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, noodles or even a slice of toasted sourdough bread to soak up all the delicious sauce.
- Use a Mandoline: Cut the onions with a mandoline slicer to get them all uniform and thinly sliced. This not only saves time but also ensures the onions cook evenly, enhancing the overall texture and flavor of the dish. Just make sure to use cutting gloves while using it.
Remember, cooking should be fun, so feel free to play around with the recipe and make it your own!
How to Store Leftovers
Storing leftover slow cooker French onion chicken is easy!
After you finish your meal, let the chicken cool down. You don't want it to be super hot when you put it away.
Next, find a clean container with a lid to put the chicken in. Pour any sauce from the chicken into the container too.
Put the lid on tight and put the container in the fridge.
You should eat the leftover chicken within three to four days.
If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it. To freeze, put the cool chicken in a freezer bag or a container that's safe for the freezer. Label it with the date, so you remember when you put it in there. Frozen chicken should be eaten within four months.
When you're ready to eat it again, make sure to heat it up until it's really hot all the way through, and enjoy!
What to Serve with slow cooker french onion chicken
Green Bean Almondine: A classic side of green beans tossed with butter and slivered almonds complement the chicken dish well.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes flavored with roasted garlic make a comforting side dish.
Crusty French Bread: Serve alongside to sop up all the rich, oniony sauce.
Garden Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette: A light and fresh salad dressed with a tangy Dijon mustard vinaigrette hits just the spot.
Caramelized Carrot Coins: Slowly caramelized carrots add a hint of sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the deep flavors of the French onion sauce.
Roasted Asparagus: Tender asparagus spears roasted with a bit of olive oil and sea salt offer a bright and slightly crisp contrast.
Buttered Egg Noodles: Egg noodles tossed in butter provide a base for the French onion chicken.
Wild Rice Pilaf: A wild rice pilaf with mushrooms and herbs can add an elegant touch.
Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Brussels sprouts roasted with balsamic vinegar until crispy are a great healthy side.
Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 large onions thinly sliced
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place half of the onions into the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with the chicken breasts.
- In a mixing bowl, combine broth and Worcestershire sauce.
- Over the chicken breasts, add the remaining onion, onion soup mix, and sauce mixture.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for about 5-6 hours or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- When the chicken is cooked through, top each chicken breast with a generous amount of shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese. Replace the lid until the cheese melts.
- Serve the French onion chicken hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Please note that the nutritional content of this recipe will vary based on the specific ingredients used. For a detailed breakdown of the nutritional values, consider using a recipe nutrition calculator with the exact brands and measurements you've used.