Crockpot Creamy French Onion Chicken and Orzo

Crockpot Creamy French Onion Chicken and Orzo is a comforting and elegant dish featuring tender chicken cooked with caramelized onions, herbs, and mushrooms in a savory broth, served over creamy parmesan orzo. This recipe offers a perfect blend of rich French onion flavors and hearty ingredients, ideal for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.

You’ll love this dish because it combines slow-cooked, flavorful chicken with the sweet softness of onions and mushrooms, creating a rich base that’s enhanced by white wine, fresh thyme, and sage. The orzo cooks in the flavorful broth and finishes with cream and parmesan for extra lusciousness. Topped with broiled Gruyere-topped chicken and onions and crispy homemade croutons, it’s a full, satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Beef

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 pound beef steak or top round, thinly sliced

Soup

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 medium carrot, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 6 cups beef broth
• 1 cube beef bouillon (optional)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 8 ounces white cheddar cheese, shredded
• 8 ounces provolone cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Croutons

• ½ baguette, cut into 1-inch cubes
• ¼ cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sliced green bell pepper and sauté for 2 minutes until slightly softened. Add thinly sliced beef and cook until browned, about 3 minutes. Transfer beef and peppers to a plate and set aside.

2. In the same Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add onion, carrot, celery, and sauté 3-5 minutes until onion is translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic.

3. Sprinkle flour over vegetables, stir to coat, then add Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute to remove raw flour taste.

4. Pour in beef broth and add bouillon cube if using. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer 15 minutes until vegetables are tender.

5. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth or carefully blend in batches.

6. Return soup to pot, stir in heavy cream, cheddar, and provolone cheeses. Simmer an additional 5 minutes until cheese melts.

7. Stir half of the beef and pepper mixture into the soup and remove from heat.

8. Preheat oven broiler. Place reserved beef and onions on a baking sheet, top with 3 tablespoons butter and shredded Gruyere cheese. Broil 3-5 minutes until cheese melts and lightly browns.

9. Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss baguette cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and bake 7-10 minutes until golden and crisp.

10. Serve soup bowls topped with cheesy beef and onions and a handful of crispy croutons. Garnish with fresh parsley.

My Best Tips

• Slice beef thinly for tender bites.

• Blend soup for smooth texture or leave chunky if preferred.

• Adjust hot sauce for desired heat level.

• Make croutons fresh for best texture.

• Use fresh herbs for brightness.

Delicious Variations to Try

• Add mushrooms for earthiness.

• Use half-and-half for lighter creaminess.

• Swap provolone for mozzarella or Swiss.

• Add fresh thyme or green onions for garnish.

• Serve with crusty bread.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground beef?

Yes, but sear separately and add similarly.

How long does it keep?

Up to 3 days refrigerated.

Can I freeze it?

Yes, but cheese texture may change.

What if I don’t have bouillon?

Use extra broth.

Is it spicy?

Adjust hot sauce to taste.

Crockpot Creamy French Onion Chicken and Orzo

---

• Author: Emma Hart
• Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Slow-cooked tender chicken breasts with caramelized onions and mushrooms in a savory herb-infused broth, finished with creamy Parmesan orzo. A cozy, elegant dinner perfect for cool evenings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Sauce

2 tbsp olive oil

3 large onions, thinly sliced

2 cups mushrooms, sliced

2 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried)

1 tsp dried sage

½ tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

½ cup dry white wine (optional)

3 cups chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1½ cups shredded Gruyere cheese

2 tbsp butter

Creamy Orzo

1½ cups orzo pasta

3 cups chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Topping

1 baguette, sliced into cubes

2 tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper, to taste

Fresh parsley, chopped

---

Instructions

1. Sauté onions and mushrooms: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook 8–10 minutes until soft and caramelized. Add mushrooms and cook another 5 minutes until browned. Stir in thyme, sage, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and white wine, scraping the pan to deglaze.

2. Assemble crockpot: Layer chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot. Pour onion‑mushroom mixture over the top and add chicken broth and heavy cream.

3. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 5–6 hours or high for 2½–3 hours until chicken is tender.

4. Prepare orzo: Near the end of cooking, simmer orzo in chicken broth until nearly tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in cream and Parmesan. Mix until creamy and thickened.

5. Finish chicken: Preheat oven broiler (optional). Transfer cooked chicken and onions to a baking dish, sprinkle Gruyere on top, and broil until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 3–4 minutes.

6. Make croutons (optional): Toss bread cubes in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake at 400°F for 7–10 minutes until golden.

7. Serve: Spoon orzo into bowls or plates. Top with cheesy chicken, onions, and sauce. Garnish with croutons and fresh parsley.

See also  Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Notes

Sauté onions deeply golden for flavor.

Use slow cooker to build layered taste.

Deglaze pan to enhance richness.

Broil Gruyere topping for classic French onion flavor.

Creamy orzo balances savory richness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Category: Main Dish, Chicken
• Method: Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: French-Inspired

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
• Calories: 620
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 865 mg
• Fat: 33 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 48 g
• Cholesterol: 195 mg

Keywords: french onion chicken, crockpot chicken orzo, creamy chicken dinner, slow cooker chicken recipe, gruyere chicken dish