Description
A comforting and hearty Chicken Rice Soup made with tender chicken, vegetables, and flavorful herbs simmered in chicken broth, perfect for a cozy meal any day. This easy stovetop recipe uses simple ingredients like olive oil, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and rice, providing a wholesome and gluten-free dish that can be ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Protein & Broth:
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 6 cups chicken broth
Grains & Seasoning:
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5–6 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute to release its aroma without burning.
- Cook Chicken and Broth: Add the chicken breasts or thighs, chicken broth, dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for 20–25 minutes, until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken from the pot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot to combine with the broth and vegetables.
- Add Rice: Stir in the cooked white rice and allow the soup to simmer for an additional 5 minutes to heat through and meld the flavors.
- Adjust Seasoning & Serve: Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Just before serving, add a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavors, if desired.
Notes
- For quicker preparation, use rotisserie chicken and leftover cooked rice.
- You can substitute white rice with brown rice or wild rice for a different texture and extra fiber.
- To make the soup creamier, stir in a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk just before serving.
