Easy Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken & Rice: Your Ultimate Comfort Food Dinner

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Craving a rich, comforting meal that practically cooks itself? This Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken with rice is your answer! Combining the deep, savory flavors of classic French onion soup with creamy cheese, tender chicken, and fluffy rice, it creates a delicious, effortless weeknight dinner. It’s truly a “dump-and-go” recipe – simply toss all the ingredients into your crockpot, set it, and come back to a warm, satisfying meal ready to be served in a bowl. Perfect for busy evenings, this dish promises maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken Recipe

This recipe isn’t just easy; it’s a culinary triumph in simplicity. Here’s why it will quickly become a favorite in your household:

• Effortless Preparation: Truly a “dump-and-go” meal. No sautéing, no pre-cooking. Just layer the ingredients and let your slow cooker do all the work.
• Rich, Deep Flavor: The combination of onion soup mix, canned French onion soup, and beef broth creates an incredibly savory, umami-rich sauce that infuses the chicken and rice.
• Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: Many of the items needed are likely already in your pantry or freezer, making it an ideal choice for those nights when the fridge is looking bare.
• Hearty & Filling: With chicken, rice, and cheese, this is a complete meal in one pot that will leave everyone feeling satisfied.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: While it’s simple enough for a weeknight, the sophisticated flavors make it impressive enough for a casual gathering.
• Minimal Cleanup: Using a slow cooker liner or nonstick spray means washing up is a breeze.

Key Ingredients for the Perfect French Onion Chicken

One of the best aspects of this dish is that it relies heavily on pantry staples. I always make sure to keep these items on hand, so I can whip up this comforting meal even when I haven’t had a chance to grocery shop. It’s truly a lifesaver when you need a quick, delicious dinner using shelf-stable ingredients.

1. Yellow Onion: The star of any French onion dish. Sliced thinly, it breaks down beautifully, adding natural sweetness and depth.
2. Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal here, providing lean protein that becomes incredibly tender in the slow cooker. You can also use chicken thighs for even more flavor.
3. Jasmine or White Rice: These varieties cook perfectly in the slow cooker, absorbing all the savory liquids and becoming wonderfully fluffy. Avoid instant rice, as it might become too mushy.
4. Onion Soup Mix: A single packet of dry onion soup mix (like Lipton or a generic brand) is a secret weapon, instantly boosting the French onion flavor profile. Find it in the soup aisle!
5. Beef Broth: This provides the foundational liquid and rich savory notes essential for that classic French onion taste.
6. Canned French Onion Soup: Yes, it’s a thing! Look for it in the canned soup aisle. It amplifies the distinct, delicious flavor, making this dish truly authentic.
7. Provolone Cheese: Slices of provolone melt into a wonderfully gooey, slightly tangy topping, reminiscent of the cheesy crust on traditional French onion soup. Mozzarella or Gruyere could also work.
8. Crispy Fried Onions: These are added at the very end to provide a fantastic crunch and an extra layer of savory onion flavor. You’ll typically find them near croutons or salad toppers in the grocery store.

Step-by-Step Guide: Making Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken

This recipe is incredibly straightforward, perfect for those days when you need a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result:

First, prepare your slow cooker. Grease the interior with nonstick spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. Alternatively, use a slow cooker liner if you want truly effortless cleanup – just discard the liner when you’re done!

1. Combine Ingredients: Add the chicken breasts to the bottom of the slow cooker. Evenly layer the sliced yellow onion and uncooked rice over the chicken. Then, sprinkle the dry onion soup mix over everything. Pour in the beef broth and the can of French onion soup. Ensure all the liquids cover the rice as much as possible for even cooking.
2. Cook to Perfection: Secure the lid on your slow cooker. Cook on the LOW setting for 5 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 3 hours. The cooking time is crucial here; you want the rice to be perfectly tender and the chicken cooked through and shreddable.

Important Cooking Tip: Avoid Mushy Rice!

While many slow cooker recipes benefit from longer cooking times, this is one where timing is key. Do not overcook the rice, or it will become mushy and lose its texture. It’s a good idea to check on the progress around the 4-hour mark if cooking on low, or 2.5 hours on high, just to ensure everything is cooking properly and the rice is tender but not overdone. Every slow cooker varies slightly, so getting to know yours helps a lot!

3. Once the chicken and rice are perfectly cooked, it’s time for the final, delicious touches. Place the slices of provolone cheese evenly over the chicken and rice mixture. Then, sprinkle the crispy fried onions generously on top of the cheese.

4. Cover the slow cooker with the lid again and cook for an additional 10 minutes on LOW. This brief period is just enough to melt the provolone cheese into a gooey, savory blanket over the chicken and rice. Once melted, your Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken is ready to be served!

Serving Suggestions and Variations

This comforting dish is substantial on its own, offering a complete meal with protein, carbs, and vegetables. However, you can easily elevate it with a few simple additions:

• Fresh Greens: A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette cuts through the richness and adds a refreshing contrast.
• Steamed Vegetables: Green beans, broccoli, or asparagus make excellent companions.
• Crusty Bread: Perfect for soaking up any extra flavorful sauce.
• Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives before serving adds a pop of color and freshness.
• Mushroom Addition: Sautéed mushrooms can be added with the initial ingredients for an earthy depth.
• Different Cheeses: While provolone is classic, feel free to experiment with Gruyere, Swiss, or even mozzarella for different flavor profiles.
• Chicken Thighs: For even juicier results, swap chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs.

Storage and Reheating Tips

This Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken makes fantastic leftovers! Store any uneaten portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can use the microwave for individual servings, or warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken or beef broth if it seems a little dry. Freezing is also an option, though the rice texture might change slightly upon thawing and reheating. If freezing, allow the dish to cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers for up to 2-3 months.

Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken

By: Julia Pacheco

The rich flavor of French Onion, creamy cheese, rice, and tender chicken come together to make a delicious and easy weeknight meal.

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 5 hrs
Total: 5 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 4 servings

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Ingredients

• 1 large yellow onion, sliced
• 2 large chicken breasts (or 1.5 lbs)
• 1 ½ cups jasmine OR white rice, uncooked
• 1 packet onion soup mix, such as Lipton
• 3 cups beef broth
• 10 oz can French onion soup
• 6 slices provolone cheese
• ½ cup French fried onions

Instructions

1. Spray the inside of a large slow cooker with non-stick spray. Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker, followed by the onion, rice, onion soup mix, beef broth, and can of French onion soup.
2. Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 5 hours or HIGH for 3 hours, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through. Don’t overcook or the rice will be mushy.
3. Once cooked, place the slices of provolone and the fried onions on top. Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 10 minutes to melt the cheese. Enjoy!

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Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Calories:

608 kcal

Carbohydrates:

72 g

Protein:

41 g

Fat:

16 g

Saturated Fat:

8 g

Polyunsaturated Fat:

1 g

Monounsaturated Fat:

3 g

Trans Fat:

0.01 g

Cholesterol:

95 mg

Sodium:

2240 mg

Potassium:

1076 mg

Fiber:

3 g

Sugar:

5 g

Vitamin A:

287 IU

Vitamin C:

4 mg

Calcium:

286 mg

Iron:

2 mg

More Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes to Try

If you loved the ease and flavor of this French Onion Chicken, you’re in for a treat! Slow cookers are fantastic for creating delicious, hands-off meals. Here are a few more slow cooker favorites that are perfect for busy weeknights:

• Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs: Tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken legs smothered in tangy BBQ sauce. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
• Slow Cooker Vegetarian Lasagna: Layers of pasta, rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and fresh vegetables, all cooked to perfection in your crockpot.
• Swedish Meatballs in the Slow Cooker: Classic savory meatballs in a rich, creamy gravy, ideal for serving over noodles or mashed potatoes.

Exploring the world of slow cooker recipes opens up a realm of effortless cooking, making meal preparation less stressful and more enjoyable. From savory dinners to comforting classics, your slow cooker can handle it all, delivering incredible flavors with minimal fuss. Happy cooking!