Rich Onion Chicken Bowl

Featured in Chicken dishes that always work.

This hearty broth blends caramelized onions and tender chicken with bold flavors. Optional Gruyère toasts make it extra special and cozy.

Maria from tastyhush
Updated on Tue, 13 May 2025 12:13:36 GMT
A pot filled with chicken soup, showing slices of chicken, veggies like onions and carrots, in a hearty broth with herbs. Pin it
A pot filled with chicken soup, showing slices of chicken, veggies like onions and carrots, in a hearty broth with herbs. | tastyhush.com

I'm excited to tell you about my new favorite mashup of two comforting classics. With this French Onion Chicken Soup, you get all the cozy, deep flavor of slow-cooked onions plus the heartiness of chicken. The smell of those onions turning sweet and golden in your kitchen? It's unforgettable. Finish it off with gooey Gruyère toast—just wait until you dig in!

Why You'll Want This Soup

I’m crazy about this one because you get everything awesome in French onion soup, but there’s extra goodness with juicy chicken and veggies mixed in. It checks all my comfort food boxes and feels special enough for company. You can even stash away leftovers in the freezer, and that’s a huge win for any packed weeknight.

Main Things You'll Need

  • Wine and Sherry: Pour in just a bit for extra flavor magic.
  • Gruyère Cheese: The key for that unforgettable melty, bubbly top.
  • Vegetables: Toss in celery and carrots for color and a little sweet crunch.
  • Chicken: Thighs are my pick for deep taste, but chicken breasts also work great.
  • Onions: Give these time—they're the ones who really shape the flavor here.

Easy Steps for Awesome Soup

Final Touch
Shred up the chicken so every spoonful is just right.
Chicken In
Let everything bubble on the stove until your chicken is soft and ready.
Don’t Miss This
Remember to scrape up all those tasty browned bits at the bottom—they carry a ton of flavor.
Add Veggies
Drop your chopped veggies in and get some freshness in the mix.
Start with Onions
Hang in there—slow cooking turns your onions rich and sweet.

Top Pointers

Seriously, let the onions go for the full 35 to 45 minutes, it pays off big time. Keep an eye when you’re broiling the cheese bread—turn away for a second and it can go from perfect to burnt!

Switch It Up

Try making this totally meatless some nights, you still get all the flavor. Thighs add a hearty touch if you’re a dark meat fan. Extra soup reheats like a dream from the freezer, just warm it up nice and gentle so the flavors stay perfect.

Great with These Sides

I always team this up with a zingy green salad—it’s the best contrast! Get some more bread on the table, too, you’ll want it to soak up that tasty broth. If I’m feeling fancy, I toss some roasted veggies in for a solid feast.

What Makes This One Work

These flavors are next-level when they all come together. Step by step, you build a rich broth and sweet onions for maximum comfort. Everyone asks for this one all the time, and honestly? I get it.

Wrapping It Up

This bowl is the definition of comfort, whether you just want to treat yourself or wow your pals. Once you try a spoonful, you’ll probably put this in your regular lineup too.

Super close shot of hearty chicken soup with onions, carrots, butter, and fresh thyme, with bread slices next to it. Pin it
Super close shot of hearty chicken soup with onions, carrots, butter, and fresh thyme, with bread slices next to it. | tastyhush.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prepare this earlier?

Sure, it stays fresh in the fridge for 4 days or can be frozen for 3 months. Only make the bread topping fresh when serving.

→ Which wine works best here?

Pick a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. If it's good to drink, it'll add great flavor.

→ Can I change the cheese?

Absolutely! Swap Gruyère for Swiss or mix Swiss with Parmesan for a similar taste.

→ Is the cheesy topping necessary?

Not at all! You can skip it or instead serve with plain crusty bread for dipping.

→ Why cut thick chicken differently?

Splitting thicker breasts helps them cook faster and evenly with the other ingredients.

Conclusion

Warm up with a rich mix of tender chicken and caramelized onions. This combination of bold flavors comes together beautifully. Optional cheesy toasts complete the experience.

Onion Chicken Bowl

A flavorful mix of tender chicken and caramelized onions, layered with optional cheesy bread for a warm, soothing bowl.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
85 Minutes
Total Time
105 Minutes
By: Maria

Category: Poultry

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French

Yield: 8 Servings (11 cups)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, split into portions.
02 2 dried bay leaves.
03 3 medium celery stalks.
04 3 medium carrots.
05 3 cloves of garlic, peeled.
06 2 pounds of chicken breasts or thighs, without bones and skin.
07 1 teaspoon dried thyme.
08 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, split into portions.
09 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
10 3/4 cup of dry white wine.
11 1 tablespoon dry sherry.
12 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour.
13 6 cups of low-sodium chicken broth.
14 1/2 baguette, perfect for making toasts.
15 2 ounces of Gruyère cheese to go with the toasts.
16 3 pounds of yellow onions, equal to about 4 large or 6 medium ones.

Instructions

Step 01

Thinly slice the onions. Melt some butter in a pot and cook the onions with thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir often until they turn a rich brown color, which takes around 35-45 minutes.

Step 02

Chop the carrots and celery into small bits (about 1/4-inch size), and mince your garlic. Toss these into the onions, stirring with the rest of the butter.

Step 03

Sprinkle salt on the chicken and, if the breasts are thick, slice them horizontally so they’re thinner.

Step 04

Add the wine and sherry to the pot and simmer until they almost dry up. Mix in the flour and cook briefly, for about one minute.

Step 05

Pour in the chicken broth along with the chicken. Let it cook gently until the chicken’s internal temperature is 165°F. Take out the chicken, shred it into pieces, and put it back in the pot.

Step 06

Optional step: Cut up the baguette and lay slices on a baking sheet. Sprinkle on cheese and let it broil until gooey and golden.

Notes

  1. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  2. Freezes great and keeps fine for 3 months.
  3. You can skip the cheese topping if you want.

Tools You'll Need

  • A large pot or Dutch oven.
  • A grater.
  • Baking tray.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (butter, cheese).
  • Includes wheat (flour, baguette).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 410
  • Total Fat: 13.5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 34.8 g
  • Protein: 33.9 g