Pic Credit: nourishplate.com
Crockpot French Onion Chicken is a delightful dish that combines the rich flavors of French onion soup with tender chicken, all cooked slowly in a crockpot. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends, allowing you to enjoy a hearty meal with minimal effort. The slow cooking process melds the flavors beautifully, resulting in a savory dish that will please the whole family.
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
- 2 large onions (sliced thinly)
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 cups Swiss cheese (shredded)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
MEASURES & PRECAUTIONS
- Use Fresh Ingredients: A key to making juicy and tasty meals is to use fresh chicken and fresh vegetables and fruits all times.
- Slice Onions Thinly: Scooping will also make the onion thinner to increase its chance of caramelization which will make the onions sweeter.
- Monitor Cooking Time: Their excess cooking can lead to the chicken drying up and therefore one should keenly watch the time depending with the settings of the crockpot.
- Check for Doneness: There is no specific requirement for the temperature in chicken but try to get the internal temperature to be at least 75°C (165°F) for food safety.
- Adjust Seasoning: Mix as required before serving each one because people are different and their taste buds are definitely unique.
Crockpot French Onion Chicken Recipe
INGREDIENTS NOTES
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Chicken: Chicken tenderloins should be used because the chicken will be shredded after grilling.
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Onions: However, use yellow onions because they are sweet and excellent when caramelized; do not use red onions because they may change the taste.
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Broth: Use beef broth with reduced sodium content to manage for high salt content; making your broth from scratch can enhance the flavor.
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Cheese: Swiss cheese is great for melting but if unavailable Gruyère can always be used instead.
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Worcestershire Sauce: This adds umami flavour: you can add more/less depending on your palate.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
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Prepare the Ingredients: First prepare with thinly slicing the onions and shredding the Swiss cheese. Set aside.
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Sauté Onions (Optional): In a skillet heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in medium heat and fry the sliced onions until soft and slightly browned (about 10 minutes). This step intensifies the taste of the sauce though it can be done away with if desire is to prepare a less complex meal.
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Layer Ingredients in Crockpot: Lay your chicken breasts on the bottom part of your crockpot. And now pour in the sauted onions if you prepared it earlier; otherwise, add raw noodles too; garlic powder, thyme, salt, black pepper, Worcester sauce and beef broth.
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Cook: Place the lid over the crockpot and turn the heat on low setting, allowing the stew to cook for 6-8 hours on low heat or on high heat setting, 3-4 hours. Make sure that the chicken is immersed in the broth to ensure that it cooks well from all sides.
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Add Cheese: About 30 minutes before serving, cover the chicken with shredded Swiss cheese. Pull the foil back over again and allow the cheese to melt.
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Shred Chicken: After it is well cooked, take out chicken breasts from the crockpot then use the two forks to shred them. Put the shredded chicken back into the pot, mix it with the broth and melted cheese.
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Rest Before Serving: This is very important to allow the dish to relax for sometime, about 10 minutes before serving it. It aids in allowing tastes to blend in with each other.
RECIPE TIPS & VARIATIONS
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Add Vegetables: You may include carrots or celery for enhancement of nutrition or other flavors of your preference.
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Make it Creamy: In the last few minutes add a portion of cream or cream cheese to make the vegetables creamier.
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Use Different Cheeses: Cook with different cheese such as mozzarella or cheddar if you want different flavors.
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Serve Over Different Bases: This dish can be well accompanied with rice, mashed potatoes or even pasta could be used instead for a change.
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Freeze Leftovers: This dish is also best when prepared ahead and frozen, just be sure to put it in an airtight container and it should keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
EQUIPMENT
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Crockpot/Slow Cooker
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Skillet (if sautéing onions)
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Measuring cups and spoons
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Cutting board
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Knife
Note
SERVING TIPS 💡
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Garnish with Fresh Herbs: One can pour a little seasoning of parsley or thyme over the dish to garnish and add to the presentation.
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Serve with Bread: For the purpose of drinking the broth, a crusty baguette or garlic bread is perfect.
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Plate Creatively: It should proudly be served in bowls covered with a nice melted cheese layer on top.
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Accompany with Salad: In turn, professed adaption to farmers and low-income earners can be offset by this high calorie, high protein meal with a simple spinach.
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Offer Additional Toppings: Next time think about having toppings like crispy fried onions or extra cheese brought to the table.
If you're looking for another flavorful meal, check out this easy How to Make Frozen Chicken Wings in Oven.
