This easy recipe for Crock Pot French Onion Chicken is so simple to make and features tender chicken cooked in a savory onion-flavored beef broth. Topped with cheese, it's a unique twist on classic French onion soup that's sure to be a hit at your next meal!
While there are so many ways you can prepare chicken, we're confident this is one of the best crock pot chicken recipes because it's easy and packed with classic French onion soup flavor!
French onion soup is a classic French dish that consists of caramelized onions in a hearty beef broth. It's usually topped with croutons and melted cheese, giving it a savory flavor that's both comforting and delicious. For this recipe, you'll cook our chicken in the same savory broth to add a hint of French onion flavor, then top it with cheese for an extra layer of deliciousness.
The crock pot is the best way to make this chicken because it allows it to cook slowly in the flavorful onion-flavored broth, making it tender and juicy. As an added bonus, you don't have to worry about babysitting your meal either - just set it and forget it!
You can serve French onion chicken in a variety of different ways. Use it in a sandwich, add it to a salad, or enjoy it with your favorite side dish like savory mashed potatoes. No matter what you choose, we guarantee you'll love this delicious way to make chicken!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make - it takes just minutes to prepare, and the crock pot does the rest of the work for you!
- Packed with flavor - savory French onion soup broth and melted cheese give this dish a unique, delicious flavor.
- Versatile - enjoy your French onion chicken in so many different ways – in a sandwich, over a salad, or just on its own.
- No babysitting - prepare it the night before and slow cook while you're at work or running errands.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken Breast - This high-protein cut of chicken becomes tender and juicy when slow-cooked in the crock pot.
- Yellow Onion - Gives the dish garden fresh flavor of natural onion.
- Onion Soup Mix - Enhances the onion flavor with a deep savory flavor.
- Beef Broth - This makes up the cooking liquid adding a beefy flavor and classic French onion taste.
- Seasonings - A mix of dried thyme and black pepper work together to season the chicken breast properly.
- Balsamic Vinegar - Adds a tangy twist of flavor to the broth.
- Sliced Swiss Cheese - This melty cheese adds a delicious finish to the dish.
How To Make French Onion Soup In The Crock Pot
Prepare the ingredients: Slice the onion into medium-sized slices. Remove any excess fat on the chicken breast and pat dry with a paper towel.
Layer into the slow cooker: Layer half of the sliced onions on the bottom of the slow cooker. Then, place the chicken breasts on top, followed by the rest of the onions.
Season the chicken: Pour in the onion soup mix, beef broth, black pepper, thyme, and balsamic vinegar into a medium bowl. Mix until well combined and pour over chicken and onions.
Cover and cook: Add the lid to the top and slow cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 5-6 hours. Top the chicken with Swiss cheese for fifteen minutes before cook time is done.
Garnish and serve: Serve with mashed potatoes, and top each chicken breast with onions from the bottom of the crock pot before serving. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Use fresh thyme if possible, or any combination of garden herbs you enjoy, such as rosemary, sage, or oregano.
- The chicken can be served in whole pieces or shredded, depending on what you're using it for.
- If you don't have balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce works as a great substitute in this recipe!
- Try using different types of cheese for a unique twist – mozzarella, cheddar, and pepper jack are great options.
- To keep your chicken juicy and tender, use a meat thermometer to make sure it is cooked through before serving (internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit).
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Leftover French onion chicken can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Freezing: The best way to freeze leftover chicken is first to shred it and then transfer it into a freezer bag. It will stay fresh when frozen for up to 3 months!
Reheating: The best way to reheat French onion chicken is in the oven – simply place it in a baking dish and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.
FAQ
You can, but it will not create that same classic French onion flavor.
Yes, you can! It will take a bit longer to cook (about 3-4 hours on HIGH or 6-7 hours on LOW). Be sure the chicken is fully cooked through to an internal temperature of 165F.
Try topping the cooked chicken with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley, crumbled bacon, or sliced jalapeños for a kick of heat. You can also top it with caramelized onions or roasted mushrooms if desired.
More Crock Pot Chicken Recipes
- Crock Pot Chicken, Potatoes, and Green Beans
- Crock Pot White Chicken Lasagna
- Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan
- Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken
- Crock Pot Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits
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Crock Pot French Onion Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 yellow onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 (1 oz) onion soup mix
- 1½ cups beef broth
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp thyme
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 8 slice Swiss cheese
Instructions
- Layer half the onion on the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Then place chicken breasts on top of the chicken. Add the remaining onion on top of the chicken.
- Add onion soup mix, beef broth, black pepper, thyme, and balsamic vinegar to a medium bowl. Mix until well combined and pour over chicken and onions.
- Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 5-6 hours. Top the chicken with Swiss cheese for fifteen minutes before cook time is done.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, and top each chicken breast with onions from the bottom of the crock pot before serving.
Notes
- To avoid oversalting, it is recommended to keep the chicken breasts whole instead of shredding them. When cooked in the sauce, the chicken will have a rich seasoning and flavor. However, if you shred the meat, it will absorb too much sauce and become salty quickly.
- Consider using boneless chicken thighs instead of white meat chicken breasts as they provide additional moisture due to their higher fat content.
- Certainly! You can use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe. However, keep in mind that it will take longer to cook, approximately 3-4 hours on HIGH or 6-7 hours on LOW. To ensure the chicken is fully cooked, make sure it reaches an internal temperature of 165F.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
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