On 16 August 2012, Hutchinson signed on loan for Championship side Nottingham Forest. He made his debut on 21 August, in a 1–1 draw away to Huddersfield Town. He scored on his home debut in a 2–1 win against Charlton Athletic on 1 September 2012. Following another knee injury, Hutchinson went back to Chelsea in September for an injection that was intended to clear up the problem by the October international break; the treatment did not work and he was still out through mid-December, missing fifteen games. After a long break, Hutchinson returned to training with Forest at the beginning of the March 2013.