Hearty Homestyle Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe to Warm Your Soul

Comfort flows through every spoonful of this hearty chicken and rice soup recipe that warms the soul on chilly days.

Cold weather calls for something deeply nourishing and satisfying.

Tender chicken pieces nestle among soft rice grains, creating a perfectly balanced broth.

Fragrant herbs and vegetables infuse each bite with rich, homemade flavor.

Simple ingredients come together in a pot of pure culinary magic.

Affordable and easy to prepare, this soup delivers restaurant-quality comfort right in your kitchen.

Dive into a bowl and let the warmth embrace you.

What Goes Into Chicken And Rice Soup

• Olive Oil: Smooth base for sautéing vegetables, releases deep aromatic flavors and prevents sticking.
• Butter: Rich alternative to olive oil, adds creamy depth and enhances overall taste profile.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic soup base creating robust foundation with sweet and earthy undertones.
• Garlic: Pungent ingredient adding intense, warming flavor and incredible health benefits.
• Thyme: Delicate herb introducing subtle woodsy notes and complementing chicken beautifully.
• Parsley: Bright herb providing fresh finish and vibrant green color.

• Chicken Broth: Liquid foundation delivering rich, comforting essence and building soup's core.
• Uncooked Rice: Hearty grain transforming soup from liquid to satisfying meal with pleasant texture.
• Shredded Chicken: Lean protein making soup substantial and nutritionally balanced.
• Bay Leaf: Subtle aromatic element infusing gentle herbal complexity.

• Salt: Essential seasoning enhancing all existing flavors.
• Black Pepper: Warm spice adding gentle heat and complexity.
• Lemon Juice: Bright acidic element lifting entire soup's flavor profile.
• Fresh Parsley: Crisp garnish providing visual appeal and fresh finish.

Cooking Gear For Chicken And Rice Soup

• Large pot: Perfect for sautéing vegetables and simmering soup.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions, carrots, celery, and herbs.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable and herb chopping.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Essential for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring cups: Helpful for accurate broth and rice measurements.
• Ladle: Great for serving soup into bowls.
• Grater or shredder: Useful if shredding chicken from scratch.

Make Chicken And Rice Soup With These Steps

• Veggie Flavor Base

Heat a large pot and add a splash of oil. Toss in chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Let them dance and soften, releasing their sweet aromas. Sprinkle in garlic and herbs to create a fragrant foundation for your soup.

• Liquid Magic

Pour in rich chicken broth and bring to a gentle bubble. Drop in rice and a bay leaf, then lower the heat. Let everything simmer quietly, allowing the rice to become tender and absorb all the delicious flavors.

• Chicken Welcome

Introduce shredded chicken to the pot, letting it warm through and mingle with the other ingredients. The soup will start to feel hearty and comforting.

• Final Touch

Taste your creation and adjust the seasoning. A squeeze of lemon can brighten the entire dish. Remove the bay leaf as it has shared its essence.

• Cozy Serving

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls. Sprinkle fresh herbs on top for a burst of color and freshness. Grab a slice of crusty bread and enjoy your homemade comfort in a bowl.

Tips To Make Chicken And Rice Soup More Hearty

• Meal Prep Master: Prepare shredded chicken and chopped vegetables ahead of time to cut cooking time by 15-20 minutes, making weeknight dinner a breeze.
• Texture Perfection: For extra creamy consistency, blend a small portion of the soup and stir back into the pot, creating a luxurious, velvety texture without heavy cream.
• Diet-Friendly Swaps: Transform this classic soup into gluten-free, low-carb, or vegetarian versions by substituting chicken with tofu, using cauliflower rice, or selecting specific broth types.
• Flavor Boosters: Enhance the soup's depth by adding a parmesan cheese rind during simmering, sprinkling smoked paprika, or stirring in a splash of white wine for sophisticated undertones.
• Leftover Love: Store soup in airtight containers for 3-4 days, knowing the flavors will develop and intensify overnight, making next-day leftovers even more delicious.

Serve Chicken And Rice Soup Comfort-Style

• Comfort Food Combo: Pair this hearty soup with warm, crusty sourdough bread for dipping and soaking up every delicious drop of broth.
• Herb Garden Garnish: Sprinkle extra fresh chopped parsley or chives on top to add brightness and a pop of color that makes the soup look restaurant-worthy.
• Creamy Twist: Stir in a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt right before serving to create a rich, velvety texture that adds a tangy smoothness to each spoonful.
• Protein Power-Up: Transform leftovers by adding a handful of cooked quinoa or white beans to boost the protein content and make the soup even more filling and nutritious.

How To Store Chicken And Rice Soup After Cooking

• Smart Cooling Strategy: Let the soup cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating to prevent bacterial growth and maintain optimal flavor quality.
• Refrigeration Wisdom: Store the soup in airtight containers, which will keep it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Separate liquid and solid ingredients to prevent rice from becoming overly soggy.
• Freezing Technique: Freeze the soup without rice for best results. When ready to enjoy, thaw and reheat, then add freshly cooked rice to maintain perfect texture and prevent mushy grains.
• Reheating Magic: Warm the soup gently on stovetop, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture. Stir occasionally and heat until steaming hot, ensuring even temperature throughout the soup.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 5

Cozy Chicken And Rice Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty chicken and rice soup celebrates comfort with a classic blend of tender chicken, aromatic vegetables, and perfectly cooked rice. Warm broth and wholesome ingredients create a satisfying meal you’ll savor from first spoonful to last.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great)
• 8 cups / 2 liters chicken broth
• 1 cup uncooked white or brown rice
• 2 tbsps olive oil or butter
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried parsley (or 1 tablespoon fresh parsley)
• 1 bay leaf
• 0.5 lemon, juice
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Crusty bread for serving

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: Gently caramelize onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil until translucent, developing a rich aromatic foundation for the soup.
2. Herb Infusion: Quickly stir in garlic, thyme, and parsley to enhance the vegetable mixture with layered herbaceous notes, avoiding any risk of burning.
3. Liquid Development: Introduce chicken broth to the pot, bringing it to a gentle boil while adding uncooked rice and a bay leaf to initiate depth of flavor.
4. Slow Simmer: Reduce heat and cover, allowing rice to absorb broth and soften completely, merging ingredients into a harmonious mixture for 20-35 minutes.
5. Protein Integration: Fold shredded chicken into the simmering liquid, enabling the meat to warm through and seamlessly blend with surrounding ingredients.
6. Final Seasoning: Extract bay leaf, then calibrate taste profile with salt and pepper, ensuring a balanced and robust flavor experience.
7. Bright Finish: Enhance soup with a citrusy splash of lemon juice, elevating the overall taste and providing a subtle, refreshing undertone.
8. Presentation: Transfer steaming soup into serving bowls, crowning with fresh parsley for visual appeal and an additional herbaceous essence, and accompany with crusty bread.

Notes

• Prevent Garlic Burning: Stir minced garlic quickly and at medium-low heat to avoid bitter, scorched flavors that can ruin the soup’s delicate taste.
• Rice Absorption Technique: Choose short-grain or medium-grain rice for better broth absorption and creamy texture; adjust liquid ratio if using different rice types.
• Chicken Tenderness Tip: Use leftover roasted chicken or poach chicken breasts gently to ensure meat remains moist and tender when added to the soup.
• Flavor Enhancement Hack: Allow soup to rest 15-20 minutes after cooking to let ingredients meld, creating deeper, more complex taste profiles and improving overall harmony.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg