Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Step 1 — Sauté aromatics
- Heat olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat.
- Add onion, carrots, and celery.
- Cook 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
- Add minced garlic and sauté 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 2 — Add broth & seasonings
- Pour in chicken broth.
- Add salt, pepper, dried parsley, and dried thyme.
- Stir well.
Step 3 — Add rice
- Add the uncooked rice to the pot.
- Bring the soup to a gentle boil.
Step 4 — Simmer
- Reduce heat to low and cover.
- Simmer 15–20 minutes, or until rice becomes tender.
Step 5 — Add chicken
- Stir in shredded chicken.
- Simmer another 5 minutes to warm the chicken and blend flavors.
Step 6 — Adjust consistency
- If the soup becomes too thick, add more broth or water.
- If you prefer thicker soup, simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes.
Step 7 — Taste & serve
- Adjust salt and pepper to your liking.
- Serve warm with fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon if desired.
Notes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator Store 3–4 days Rice will absorb broth—add liquid when reheating Freezer For best texture, freeze without rice Add cooked rice when reheating Reheating Warm over low heat Add extra broth if needed 🥄 Variations
1. Lemon Chicken Rice Soup Add lemon zest and fresh lemon juice. 2. Creamy Version Stir in ½ cup heavy cream near the end. 3. Vegetable Boost Add spinach, kale, peas, or zucchini. 4. High-Protein Version Add chickpeas or extra chicken. 5. Kid-Friendly Use mild seasonings and extra carrots. 6. Ginger Healing Soup Add grated ginger and turmeric for immune support. 7. Slow Cooker Cook everything except the rice for 4 hours on LOW.
Add rice during the last 30 minutes. 8. Wild Rice Version Replace white rice with wild rice—extend cook time to 40 minutes. 9. Low-Carb Replace rice with cauliflower rice (add during last 5 minutes). 10. Herb-Loaded Add fresh thyme, rosemary, and parsley for deeper flavor. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. What kind of rice works best? Long-grain, jasmine, or basmati all work well. 2. Can I use brown rice? Yes—extend simmer time to 35–40 minutes. 3. Can I use rotisserie chicken? Yes, it makes this recipe even easier. 4. Can I freeze this soup? Yes—freeze without rice for best texture. 5. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? Absolutely—more flavor and tenderness. 6. How do I prevent mushy rice? Add rice halfway through cooking or cook separately. 7. Can I make this soup dairy-free? The recipe contains no dairy already. 8. What vegetables can I add? Spinach, kale, peas, zucchini, or mushrooms. 9. How can I make it richer? Add a knob of butter or ½ cup cream. 10. How do I make it spicy? Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeño. 🏁 Conclusion This Simple Chicken and Rice Soup is a classic comfort recipe that brings warmth, nourishment, and ease to your table. Whether you're craving something soothing, cooking for your family, or preparing a light yet satisfying meal, this soup offers everything you need in one cozy bowl—tender chicken, soft rice, flavorful vegetables, and a savory broth that tastes like pure comfort. It’s budget-friendly, easy to customize, and perfect for meal prep or quick weeknight cooking. Once you try this recipe, it will likely become a staple in your kitchen for years to come.
Refrigerator Store 3–4 days Rice will absorb broth—add liquid when reheating Freezer For best texture, freeze without rice Add cooked rice when reheating Reheating Warm over low heat Add extra broth if needed 🥄 Variations
1. Lemon Chicken Rice Soup Add lemon zest and fresh lemon juice. 2. Creamy Version Stir in ½ cup heavy cream near the end. 3. Vegetable Boost Add spinach, kale, peas, or zucchini. 4. High-Protein Version Add chickpeas or extra chicken. 5. Kid-Friendly Use mild seasonings and extra carrots. 6. Ginger Healing Soup Add grated ginger and turmeric for immune support. 7. Slow Cooker Cook everything except the rice for 4 hours on LOW.
Add rice during the last 30 minutes. 8. Wild Rice Version Replace white rice with wild rice—extend cook time to 40 minutes. 9. Low-Carb Replace rice with cauliflower rice (add during last 5 minutes). 10. Herb-Loaded Add fresh thyme, rosemary, and parsley for deeper flavor. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. What kind of rice works best? Long-grain, jasmine, or basmati all work well. 2. Can I use brown rice? Yes—extend simmer time to 35–40 minutes. 3. Can I use rotisserie chicken? Yes, it makes this recipe even easier. 4. Can I freeze this soup? Yes—freeze without rice for best texture. 5. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? Absolutely—more flavor and tenderness. 6. How do I prevent mushy rice? Add rice halfway through cooking or cook separately. 7. Can I make this soup dairy-free? The recipe contains no dairy already. 8. What vegetables can I add? Spinach, kale, peas, zucchini, or mushrooms. 9. How can I make it richer? Add a knob of butter or ½ cup cream. 10. How do I make it spicy? Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeño. 🏁 Conclusion This Simple Chicken and Rice Soup is a classic comfort recipe that brings warmth, nourishment, and ease to your table. Whether you're craving something soothing, cooking for your family, or preparing a light yet satisfying meal, this soup offers everything you need in one cozy bowl—tender chicken, soft rice, flavorful vegetables, and a savory broth that tastes like pure comfort. It’s budget-friendly, easy to customize, and perfect for meal prep or quick weeknight cooking. Once you try this recipe, it will likely become a staple in your kitchen for years to come.