Chicken and Rice Soup – If you are craving for a simple yet soul-satisfying meal, this hearty soup fits the bill every time for a cold winter night made in less than 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Wholesome and Nutritious: Packed with protein-rich chicken, nutrient-dense vegetables, and hearty rice, it’s a balanced meal in a bowl.
- One-Pot Wonder: Easy cleanup and minimal fuss make it a favorite for busy weeknights.
- Customizable: Easily adaptable to your taste and dietary preferences.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work best, but you can use leftover rotisserie chicken.
- Rice: Long-grain white rice, brown rice, or even wild rice add different textures and flavors.
- Vegetables: Classic mirepoix (carrots, celery, onion) for an aromatic base.
- Broth: Chicken broth or stock for a flavorful soup base.
- Seasonings: Bay leaf, garlic, thyme, and a touch of parsley.
- Lemon Juice: Optional, but it adds a refreshing brightness to the soup.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Chicken and Rice Soup
- Avoid Mushy Rice: If you plan on storing leftovers, cook the rice separately and add it to individual servings to prevent it from getting overly soft.
- Enhance the Flavor: For a richer taste, use bone-in chicken and let it simmer longer. The bones add depth to the broth.
- Herbs Make a Difference: Fresh herbs like thyme and parsley elevate the flavors. If you only have dried herbs, use them sparingly, as they are more concentrated.
- Deglaze for Extra Flavor: After sautéing the vegetables, you can deglaze the pot with a splash of white wine for added complexity.
Delicious Variations to Try
- Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk for a luxurious twist.
- Lemon Chicken and Rice Soup: Add more lemon juice and zest for a zesty, Mediterranean-inspired flavor.
- Spicy Chicken and Rice Soup: Add chopped jalapeños or red pepper flakes for some heat.
- Low-Carb Option: Substitute the rice with cauliflower rice to make it keto-friendly.
- Vegan Version: Swap the chicken for chickpeas and use vegetable broth.
How to Serve Chicken and Rice Soup
- With Crusty Bread: A slice of warm, crusty bread is perfect for soaking up the flavorful broth.
- Side Salad: A light, fresh salad balances the soup beautifully.
- Garnishes: Freshly cracked black pepper, extra parsley, or a drizzle of olive oil add a gourmet touch.
How to Store and Reheat Chicken and Rice Soup
- Refrigerating: Let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: If you plan to freeze the soup, cook the rice separately and freeze the soup base without the rice. This prevents the rice from becoming mushy. The soup will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: For refrigerated soup, reheat on the stovetop over medium heat. If the soup is too thick, add a bit of extra broth or water. For frozen soup, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Recipe FAQs
1. Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Absolutely! Just keep in mind that brown rice takes longer to cook, so adjust the simmering time accordingly.
2. Can I make Chicken and Rice Soup in a slow cooker?
Yes! Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker, except for the rice. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Add cooked rice at the end.
3. How do I prevent the rice from soaking up all the broth?
To keep the rice from absorbing too much liquid, cook it separately and add it just before serving. Alternatively, you can undercook the rice slightly if you plan to eat the soup within a day.
4. Can I use pre-cooked or leftover chicken?
Definitely! If using pre-cooked chicken, add it to the soup in the last 10 minutes to warm through.
Chicken and Rice Soup
Chicken and Rice Soup - If you are craving for a simple yet soul-satisfying meal, this hearty soup fits the bill every time for a cold winter night made in less than 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 medium carrots, peeled & sliced thin
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 sticks celery, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup long grain white rice (like jasmine)
- 8 cups chicken broth (two 32 oz. cartons)
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep Your Veggies: Chop up the onion, celery, and carrots to get things rolling.
- Sauté: Heat the olive oil in a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and celery, cooking for about 5 minutes until they soften and become fragrant.
- Add Garlic: Toss in the minced garlic, giving it a quick 30-second stir until aromatic.
- Simmer the Soup: Add the chicken thighs, sliced carrots, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and rice. Increase the heat to bring the soup to a boil.
- Cook Everything: Once boiling, lower the heat and let the soup simmer. Stir occasionally to make sure the rice doesn’t stick to the bottom. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked, the carrots are tender, and the rice is done. Note: Longer cook times will make the rice softer.
- Shred and Season: Take out the chicken, shred or chop it up, and return it to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Finish with fresh parsley if you’d like, and serve hot!
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 279Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 8gCholesterol 143mgSodium 1510mgCarbohydrates 14gFiber 1gSugar 3gProtein 31g
All Chicken Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
I hope this Chicken and Rice Soup recipe warms your heart and your kitchen! Whether you’re making it for a family meal or just for yourself, it’s bound to become a regular in your recipe rotation. If you try this soup, feel free to share your experience and any tweaks you made in the comments below. Enjoy every cozy spoonful!
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