Rich French Onion Soup

Featured in Big pots of steaming, hearty soup.

This heartwarming soup combines the bold flavors of French onion with tender chicken. Gooey cheese-topped bread is the perfect optional finishing touch for cozy nights.

alicia in the kitchen
Updated on Tue, 13 May 2025 12:15:35 GMT
A pot filled with savory chicken soup, showing sliced chicken, caramelized onions, and fresh herbs in a delicious broth. Pin it
A pot filled with savory chicken soup, showing sliced chicken, caramelized onions, and fresh herbs in a delicious broth. | tasteofsavor.com

Here’s my all-time favorite mashup of two classic soups! You get that deep, sweet onion flavor mixed right in with cozy chicken soup. When you caramelize onions, your kitchen will smell absolutely amazing as they turn all golden and soft. Topping things off with those cheesy Gruyère toasts—wow, they're so gooey and perfect!

Why You’ll Crave This Soup

Honestly, what hooked me is that it takes everything people love about onion soup and makes it even cozier by adding juicy chicken and veggies. It’s my total comfort dish but feels fancy enough to serve to friends. Plus, I freeze leftovers so busy nights are a lot less stressful!

Main Ingredients

  • Chicken: Thighs bring major flavor, but breasts work if you like them.
  • Onions: They’re the real stars here—give ’em time to turn sweet and soft.
  • Wine & Sherry: A little pour of these really perks things up.
  • Gruyère Cheese: Makes those toasts extra special and melt-in-your-mouth.
  • Veggies: Chopped carrots and celery give a pop of color and freshness.

Let’s Get Cooking

Shred the Chicken
This way, you’ll get juicy bites every time you dip your spoon in.
Let It Simmer
Everything needs a bit to bubble so that chicken turns soft and tasty.
Don’t Forget Deglazing
Scrape up the browned bits at the bottom—they’re full of unbelievable flavor.
Add Those Veggies
Carrots and celery bring crunch and brightness to the mix.
Caramelized Onions
Take your time, let them cook down into sweet golden goodness.

Top Tips From Me

Seriously, don’t rush those onions—waiting the full 35 to 45 minutes makes all the difference! Stir now and then, and keep a close eye when you put cheese toasts under the broiler because they go from perfect to burnt super fast!

Switch Things Up

Sometimes, I skip the chicken and just do a veggie version that totally rocks. If you dig dark meat, stick with thighs for their deep flavor. And leftovers? They freeze so well—just reheat them slowly when you need a treat.

Awesome Combos

A fresh green salad pairs so well here—the zippy flavors really balance everything! I always grab extra bread, because you’ll want it to mop up the tasty broth. Roasted veggies on the side round out your meal, too.

Why This One’s a Winner

Each step packs in more yumminess, from the ultra-sweet onions to the deep, rich broth. It’s hands-down the most-requested thing I make and it totally deserves that honor!

Final Thoughts

This soup nails the best parts of classic onion and chicken creations! Whether you’re after a big bowl of coziness or want to wow your crew, this won’t let you down. Once you give it a go, I bet you’ll keep making it again and again!

Zoomed-in shot of chicken soup loaded with onions, carrots, and butter, sprinkled with thyme and served with bread slices. Pin it
Zoomed-in shot of chicken soup loaded with onions, carrots, and butter, sprinkled with thyme and served with bread slices. | tasteofsavor.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prep this soup early?

Absolutely! This soup keeps well in the fridge for 4 days or in the freezer for 3 months. Fresh cheesy bread is best made just before serving.

→ What's the best wine choice?

Pick a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. Always use one you'd enjoy drinking, as it'll affect the taste of the soup.

→ Can I swap out the cheese?

Of course! While Gruyère is ideal, you can use Swiss or a mix of Parmesan and Swiss for a similar cheesy touch.

→ Do I need to add cheese bread?

Nope! The cheesy bread is optional. The soup is still delicious on its own or with plain crusty bread on the side.

→ Why slice chicken breasts thinly?

Slicing thick chicken breasts thin helps them cook fast and evenly alongside the rest of the ingredients.

Conclusion

Rich caramelized onions and tender chicken come together in this satisfying and cozy soup. Top it with cheesy bread for extra indulgence, or enjoy it on its own!

Onion Chicken Soup

A warm mix of French onion and chicken soups, packed with caramelized onions, tender chicken, and optional cheese bread.

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

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French

Yield: 8 Servings (11 cups)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 Six medium or four large yellow onions (about 3 pounds total).
02 6 tablespoons butter, split into portions.
03 A teaspoon of dried thyme.
04 2 bay leaves, dried.
05 Kosher salt—2 1/2 teaspoons total, use in parts.
06 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
07 3 carrots, medium-sized.
08 Three celery stalks, medium size.
09 Garlic—3 cloves.
10 2 pounds of boneless chicken, either thighs or breasts.
11 Dry white wine, 3/4 of a cup.
12 A tablespoon of dry sherry.
13 1/4 cup plain flour.
14 6 cups broth (low-sodium chicken stock).
15 Half of a baguette for serving.
16 2 ounces Gruyère cheese, for making toasts.

Instructions

Step 01

Slice up the onions thinly. Cook them with butter, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper until very soft and golden—it'll take about 35-45 minutes.

Step 02

Mince the garlic and chop the celery and carrots into small 1/4-inch bits. Toss them into the pot with more butter.

Step 03

Sprinkle chicken with salt. If your breasts are extra thick, butterfly them to even out the thickness.

Step 04

Stir in the white wine and sherry. Let it cook until most of the liquid's gone. Mix in the flour and cook briefly, about a minute.

Step 05

Add chicken and broth to the pot, and let it simmer. Once the chicken's done (at 165°F), shred it and put it back in the soup.

Step 06

Slice the baguette and top with cheese. Broil just until the cheese melts and gets bubbly.

Notes

  1. Keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  2. Freeze for a maximum of 3 months.
  3. Cheesy baguette slices are optional.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large pot, like a Dutch oven.
  • A sheet pan for broiling.
  • Grater for cheese.

Allergy Information

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