Description
This comforting Chicken and Rice Soup is a hearty and healthy meal perfect for any day. Made with tender shredded chicken, aromatic vegetables, and long-grain white rice simmered in flavorful chicken broth, it’s easy to prepare and packed with wholesome ingredients. Enhanced with herbs, garlic, and optional lemon juice for a fresh finish, this soup is ideal for a cozy lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Herbs and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon dried parsley
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Soup Base and Main Ingredients
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, sliced carrots, and sliced celery. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add Aromatics and Herbs: Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Cook this mixture for about 30 seconds to release their flavors.
- Add Broth and Rice: Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a gentle boil. Then add the uncooked rice to the pot.
- Simmer Rice: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the rice simmer for 15 to 18 minutes until it becomes tender.
- Add Chicken: Stir in the cooked shredded chicken and let the soup cook for another 3 to 5 minutes so the chicken can heat through.
- Finish and Serve: Add lemon juice if using, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to your taste. Garnish the soup with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- For a creamier texture, stir in 0.5 cup heavy cream toward the end of cooking.
- You can substitute brown rice for long-grain white rice, but cooking time will increase to approximately 40 to 45 minutes.
- This soup freezes well — store in airtight containers and reheat gently on the stove.
- Adjust the herbs and seasoning based on preference for a more robust or milder flavor.
