Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe (2024)

Chicken and Rice Soup recipe for the perfect weeknight meal that comes together in a snap. Juicy chunks of chicken, tender vegetables, and flavorful rice make the ideal combination. Savory, brothy goodness guaranteed to warm your soul and fill your belly this winter.

Being a responsible adult also means putting on your big girl pants even when you’re sick. I remember how this comforting this soup was every time we kids felt under the weather. Just one bowlful took all the ouchies away.

Now that I’m all grown up with a kid of my own, this meaty, juicy chicken with tender vegetables and rice, all swimming in an intensely flavored chicken broth, still makes my day better. And when the light of my life needsextra comforting soul food, you can be sure this chicken and rice soup recipe is on the menu.

Super-Easy Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe

This recipe is one of my favorites because it’s super easy to make. Chicken and rice soup is hot and ready to enjoy in practically no time. So with just a handful of simple pantry staples, you can create this classic that satisfies the whole family. And once you make this chicken and rice soup, the great-tasting leftovers are even better the next day.

Recipe Ingredients

1. Chicken– The heartiness of this dish comes from the chicken. I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs because they’re juicy and flavorful.
2. Vegetables– The classic medley of onion, celery, carrots, and garlic gives this soup its savory flavor base. And chunks of tender veggies also add to the soup’s texture.
3. Spices– Bouillon powder, Italian seasoning, Creole seasoning, thyme, bay leaf, and fresh parsley provide plenty of opportunities to customize your recipe.
4. Rice– Any rice works, but uncooked long-grain uncooked rice has done the best for me. This hearty grain cooks quickly and soaks up the delicious broth’s flavor.
5. Chicken Stock– Store-bought or homemade works equally well for deep flavor. It also gives your soup that delicious, slow-cooked taste without having to slow-cook it for hours.

How to Make Chicken and Rice Soup

• Brown the Chicken– Cut the chicken into chunks and season with salt and pepper. In a large pot, heat your oil over medium and brown the chicken chunks for a few minutes or until the edges are crispy.
• Veggies– In the same pot, toss in chopped onion, garlic, celery, thyme, bouillon powder, Italian seasoning, Creole seasoning, and bay leaf. Cook for about six minutes while stirring until the vegetables are softened but not browned.
• Add Broth– Pour in the chicken broth or water and heat to a boil.
• Add Rice– Add the rice and carrots to the same pot, then season the soup with salt and pepper. Simmer on medium-low until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
• Serve– Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

Recipe Variations

1. Spice it Up– You can adjust this dish to taste however you like by adding spice. Try a spicy version and add a couple of teaspoons of red pepper flakes.
2. Veggies Swap– Other hearty vegetables like broccoli, fresh green beans, or leafy greens like spinach and kale would be great in this soup.
3. Meat Swap– Chicken soup has to have chicken, right? But don’t stop there. Leftover turkey, ham, and sausage are soul-satisfying additions to this recipe.

Tips and Tricks

1. If you need a serious shortcut, you can pull this meal together with a rotisserie chicken, some leftover rice, and a package of frozen vegetables. This fool-proof recipe creates a delicious chicken and rice soup either way.
2. Prepping your veggies by chopping them up ahead of time is also an incredible time-saver. Then they’re ready to go for that night when I’m too tired to cook and just want to dump everything into a pot and let it simmer.

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can make a big batch of this soup a day or two in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve. Or you can make a huge batch and freeze half of it for later.

Serving and Storage Instructions

This fabulous chicken and rice soup is best hot as soon as it’s done simmering. Topping it off with fresh herbs and a drizzle of good olive oil is incredible. This one-bowl meal is also great with fresh bread on the side.

Leftovers last in thefridge for about a weekorfreeze well for three months. To maintain freshness, store in an airtight container.

Reheating this soup in themicrowaveis an easy way to enjoy leftover soup. If your soup is frozen, you can set the container out to defrost and then pour it into a pot to reheat.

FAQs

What to Serve With Chicken and Rice Soup

A good soup like this would be even better if paired with fresh homemade bread. Oyster crackers are for when I feel lazy, but for extra comfort, my go-to is easy dinner rolls, homemade garlic bread, or skillet cornbread.

More Incredible Soup Recipes to Try

1. Chicken Meatball Soup
2. Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
3. Vegetable Beef Soup
4. Chicken Feet Soup
5. Jamaican Chicken and Pumpkin Soup

Conclusion

This chicken and rice soup recipe is the answer when the question is a simple, delicious, and hearty dinner for the whole family. What is your go-to comfort food? Let me know.❤️ Oh, and follow me on FaceBook for the latest and greatest.

Watch How to Make It

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This blog post was originally published in September 2019 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video.