Description
Comfort meets sophistication in this French onion chicken soup, where caramelized onions and tender chicken mingle in a rich, savory broth. Melted gruyère cheese crowns this classic dish, inviting you to savor each spoonful of french countryside warmth.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (roasted or leftover works best)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 sprigs of thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 bay leaf
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 6 cups chicken broth (or beef broth for a richer flavor)
- ¼ cup dry white wine (optional)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons sugar (optional, for caramelizing the onions)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Topping:
- 4 slices of crusty bread or baguette
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese
Instructions
- Transform sliced onions into a rich, golden-brown delicacy by gently sautéing them in a harmonious blend of butter and olive oil. Maintain a patient, low-heat approach, allowing the onions to slowly caramelize and develop a deep, sweet flavor profile.
- Once the onions reach a luxurious amber hue, introduce minced garlic and let it bloom briefly. Splash white wine into the pot, using the liquid to lift and incorporate the concentrated flavor bits clinging to the bottom.
- Pour chicken broth into the aromatic base, then gently fold in cooked chicken pieces, fresh thyme sprigs, and a bay leaf. Allow the mixture to simmer, letting the ingredients meld and develop a complex, comforting essence.
- Season the soup with a judicious balance of salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting until the flavors sing harmoniously. Remove the herb stems to ensure a smooth dining experience.
- Prepare crusty bread slices by toasting them under the broiler until they achieve a golden, crisp exterior. These will serve as the perfect foundation for the cheese-crowned soup.
- Carefully ladle the steaming soup into oven-safe bowls, crowning each serving with a toasted bread slice and a generous blanket of shredded cheese.
- Position the bowls under the broiler, watching intently as the cheese transforms into a bubbling, molten masterpiece with a delicate golden crust. Remove promptly to prevent burning, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Transform ordinary chicken soup into a gourmet experience by slowly caramelizing onions, which develops deep, rich flavor without rushing the process.
- Use low and slow cooking technique when caramelizing onions to create a sweet, complex base that elevates the entire dish’s taste profile.
- Choose sweet onions like Vidalia for enhanced natural sweetness, ensuring more robust caramelization without adding excessive sugar.
- Select high-quality chicken broth or make homemade stock to guarantee a more authentic, depth-filled soup flavor that truly shines.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg