Description
There’s a certain kind of comfort only a bowl of chicken rice soup can bring. It’s the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out a gentle, nourishing blend of tender chicken, soft rice, and a deeply savory broth. I’ve leaned on this recipe through snowstorms, sick days, and slow Sunday evenings. It’s humble, but powerful.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 tablespoon oil (olive oil or canola)
- 3 large carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 rib celery, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup dry long-grain white rice
- 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk or heavy whipping cream (optional, for creaminess)
Instructions
- In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high. Add carrots, onion, and celery. Cook for 3–4 minutes, until the onion starts to brown and everything smells golden and sweet.
- Stir in the garlic, dried parsley, and thyme. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant don’t let the garlic burn.
- Place the rice in a fine mesh sieve and rinse under cold water. This helps remove excess starch for a cleaner broth. Add the rice to the pot.
- Pour in the chicken broth, then nestle in the chicken breasts. Sprinkle in salt and pepper, stir gently, and bring everything to a boil.
- Lower the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The rice will puff, and the chicken will cook through.
- Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the pot.
- Pour in the evaporated milk or cream, stir, and taste. Adjust salt or herbs as needed.
Notes
Rinse your rice before adding to avoid cloudy broth. Cut carrots evenly for uniform cooking. Soup flavor deepens as it sits. For speed, use rotisserie chicken. Store leftovers in fridge for 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave. Customize with lemon, dill, or spice for a twist!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
