Everyone loves a classic French Onion Soup. This French Chicken Onion Soup is a variation of the classic packed with chicken, lots of cheese and homemade croutons!
Course Main Course, Soup
Cuisine American
Keyword French Chicken Onion Soup, soups, french onion
Servings 4people
Author Heather Blake
Ingredients
2tablespoonsbutter
2tablespoonsolive oil
2 1/2poundssweet yellow onion, cut in half and sliced thin
1tablespoonminced garlic
1tablespoonminced fresh rosemary
1tablespoonfresh thyme leaves
2bay leaves
1/2teaspoonsalt
1/2teaspoonpepper
2tablespoonsbalsamic vinegar
1tablespoonWorcestershire sauce
8cupschicken stock (preferably homemade)
2cupschopped rotisserie chicken
1/4cupbrandy or cream sherry
homemade croutons
2-3cupsshredded Gruyere cheese
1/2cupgrated Parmesan cheese
To Make Homemade Croutons
1baguette, sliced to 2 inch slicesadjust to how thick you like it
olive oil
1tablespoonsalt
1tablespoongranulated garlic
Instructions
To Make the Croutons
Slice a baguette into 1-2 inch slices and place on a cookie sheet. Liberally drizzle olive oil over each slice. In a small bowl combine the salt and the granulated garlic. Sprinkle the salt mixture evenly over bread slices. (You will have extra).
Bake the croutons in a 400-degree oven for 10-13 minutes or until the bottom of each piece becomes a golden brown. Remove from oven and set aside. This can be made in advance and stored in a zip tight bag.
To Make the Caramelized Onions
In a large saute pan on medium-low heat, melt the butter with the olive oil. Add the onions, garlic, rosemary, thyme and bay leaves and mix together until incorporated. Lower the temperature to low and let the onion mixture cook for about 30 minutes stirring occasionally. Stir in the balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire, salt and pepper. Continue to cook the onions until they become a deep golden brown, again stirring occasionally. This will take 45-60 minutes altogether. Stir in the sherry or brandy and cook until it evaporates. Remove from heat and set aside.
To Make the Soup
When ready to assemble the soup. Transfer the onion mixture to a soup pot and add the chicken stock and the chicken. Bring to a boil and adjust the seasonings if necessary.
Place about 1/4 cup of the shredded cheese in the bottom of an ovenproof soup bowl. Fill the bowl with the soup and place 2-3 croutons on top. Top that with about another 1/2 cup of swiss cheese and a couple of tablespoons of the parmesan cheese.
Place the bowls on a cookie sheet (it will bubble over) and put under the broiler. Watch carefully and pull out the soup when the top begins to brown. This time is dependant on your oven but it goes quick so make sure you watch it!
Let cool for a few minutes before digging in. It's a very hot soup. Enjoy!!!
Notes
I say 2-3 cups of gruyere cheese because everyone likes different levels of cheese. If you are one who likes to go hog wild with the cheesy goodness, go for the 3 cups!