Chicken and Rice Soup

Category,
DifficultyBeginner

Chicken and Rice Soup is a comforting, nourishing dish made with tender shredded chicken, soft rice, and a flavorful broth infused with aromatic herbs and vegetables. Perfect for chilly days or when you need a cozy, healing meal, this soup is both filling and light.

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Yields4 Servings
Prep Time10 minsCook Time30 minsTotal Time40 mins
For the Soup
 2 tbsp olive oil
 1 small onion (diced)
 2 cloves garlic (minced)
 2 medium carrots (peeled and diced)
 2 celery stalks (diced)
 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
 ½ tsp black pepper
 1 tsp dried thyme (or 2 teaspoons fresh thyme)
 1 tsp dried oregano
 1 bay leaf
 6 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
 1 cup cooked or uncooked white or brown rice
 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie or boiled)
 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
For Serving
 Fresh parsley
 Lemon wedges
 Crusty bread or crackers
Sauté the Vegetables
1
  • Heat Oil:
    • In a large pot over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
  • Cook the Aromatics:
    • Add the diced onion, garlic, carrots, and celery.
    • Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
Add Broth and Herbs
2
  • Pour in the Broth:
    • Add chicken broth to the pot.
  • Season the Soup:
    • Stir in salt, black pepper, thyme, oregano, and bay leaf.
  • Simmer the Soup:
    • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
    • Let cook for 15 minutes to develop flavors.
Add Rice and Chicken
3
  • If Using Uncooked Rice:
    • Stir in uncooked rice and let simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender.
  • If Using Cooked Rice:
    • Stir in cooked rice and let warm through for 5 minutes.
  • Add the Chicken:
    • Stir in shredded cooked chicken and let heat for 5 minutes.
Final Touches
4
  • Taste and Adjust:
    • Add more salt or black pepper if needed.
  • Add Lemon Juice (Optional):
    • Stir in fresh lemon juice for a hint of brightness.
  • Remove Bay Leaf:
    • Discard the bay leaf before serving.
Serving Suggestions
5
  • Ladle into Bowls:
    • Serve hot in bowls.
  • Garnish:
    • Sprinkle with fresh parsley and add a lemon wedge.
  • Pair With:
    • Serve with crusty bread, crackers, or a light salad.
Pro Tips
6
  • For Extra Creaminess: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream or a spoonful of Greek yogurt.
  • Make It Heartier: Add diced potatoes or extra vegetables.
  • For Meal Prep: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

 

Ingredients

For the Soup
 2 tbsp olive oil
 1 small onion (diced)
 2 cloves garlic (minced)
 2 medium carrots (peeled and diced)
 2 celery stalks (diced)
 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
 ½ tsp black pepper
 1 tsp dried thyme (or 2 teaspoons fresh thyme)
 1 tsp dried oregano
 1 bay leaf
 6 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
 1 cup cooked or uncooked white or brown rice
 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie or boiled)
 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
For Serving
 Fresh parsley
 Lemon wedges
 Crusty bread or crackers

Directions

Sauté the Vegetables
1
  • Heat Oil:
    • In a large pot over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
  • Cook the Aromatics:
    • Add the diced onion, garlic, carrots, and celery.
    • Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
Add Broth and Herbs
2
  • Pour in the Broth:
    • Add chicken broth to the pot.
  • Season the Soup:
    • Stir in salt, black pepper, thyme, oregano, and bay leaf.
  • Simmer the Soup:
    • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
    • Let cook for 15 minutes to develop flavors.
Add Rice and Chicken
3
  • If Using Uncooked Rice:
    • Stir in uncooked rice and let simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender.
  • If Using Cooked Rice:
    • Stir in cooked rice and let warm through for 5 minutes.
  • Add the Chicken:
    • Stir in shredded cooked chicken and let heat for 5 minutes.
Final Touches
4
  • Taste and Adjust:
    • Add more salt or black pepper if needed.
  • Add Lemon Juice (Optional):
    • Stir in fresh lemon juice for a hint of brightness.
  • Remove Bay Leaf:
    • Discard the bay leaf before serving.
Serving Suggestions
5
  • Ladle into Bowls:
    • Serve hot in bowls.
  • Garnish:
    • Sprinkle with fresh parsley and add a lemon wedge.
  • Pair With:
    • Serve with crusty bread, crackers, or a light salad.
Pro Tips
6
  • For Extra Creaminess: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream or a spoonful of Greek yogurt.
  • Make It Heartier: Add diced potatoes or extra vegetables.
  • For Meal Prep: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

Notes

Chicken and Rice Soup
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