This comforting chicken and rice soup is packed with tender chicken, hearty veggies, and warming herbs. It’s a family-friendly recipe perfect for chilly days or when you need a cozy pick-me-up.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 medium carrots sliced
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 1 cup uncooked rice white or brown
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh parsley for garnish, optional
Instructions
-
Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften.
-
Step 2: Stir in rice, chicken broth, thyme, and parsley. Bring mixture to a boil.
-
Step 3: Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes (or longer for brown rice), stirring occasionally, until rice is tender.
-
Step 4: Stir in shredded cooked chicken. Simmer for another 5 minutes until heated through.
-
Step 5: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley, if using.
Notes
Use rotisserie chicken to save time. For added richness, stir in a splash of cream or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving. This soup freezes well for meal prep.
Nutrition
Calories: 220kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 18gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 720mgPotassium: 420mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 4100IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 1.8mg