Description
A comforting and easy-to-make Chicken and Rice Soup made with tender shredded chicken, vegetables, and flavorful herbs simmered together to create a hearty, nourishing meal perfect for any day.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (from rotisserie or poached)
Finishing Touches
- Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery, and sauté for 5–6 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add Aromatics and Seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 1 minute to release the flavors.
- Add Broth and Rice: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, stir in the uncooked long grain white rice.
- Simmer the Soup: Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot. Let the soup cook for 15–20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and cooked through.
- Add Chicken: Stir in the shredded cooked chicken and cook for another 5 minutes to warm the chicken throughout.
- Finish and Adjust Seasoning: If desired, stir in the juice of half a lemon to add brightness. Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a creamier texture, stir in 1/2 cup of cream or a splash of milk at the end of cooking.
- You can substitute the white rice with brown rice or wild rice, but increase the cook time accordingly to ensure the rice becomes tender.
- This soup reheats well and is excellent for leftovers; it also freezes nicely for future meals.
