Simple Chicken and Rice Soup

There’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of simple chicken and rice soup when you need a hug from the inside out. I make this recipe at least twice a month—whether we’re fighting off winter chills or just needing some easy comfort food. My kids call it “mom’s magic soup” because it somehow makes everything better when they’re feeling under the weather. What I love most is how the basic ingredients transform into something so nourishing without any fuss. The chicken becomes fork-tender, the rice plumps up perfectly, and before you know it, you’ve got a pot of golden comfort ready in under an hour. This is the kind of recipe you’ll keep coming back to, trust me.

Why You’ll Love This Simple Chicken and Rice Soup

This soup has become my go-to for so many reasons – let me tell you why it might become yours too!

Comfort in Every Bowl

There’s something magical about how this soup makes everything better. Whether it’s a rainy day or someone’s feeling under the weather, one spoonful of that rich broth with tender chicken and rice just hugs you from the inside. And the best part? It practically makes itself while you put your feet up.

Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor

Don’t you love recipes where you probably have everything already? Onions, carrots, celery – the classic trio that makes any soup amazing. With just a few spices from your rack and some chicken, you’re minutes away from something that tastes like it simmered all day. I swear, the way the garlic and thyme perfume your kitchen will have everyone asking “what’s that amazing smell?”

Ingredients for Simple Chicken and Rice Soup

Let me tell you about the simple magic makers that go into this soup! Everything here is probably already in your kitchen – that’s the beauty of it. You’ll need:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or whatever oil you’ve got)
• 1 onion, diced – don’t skip this flavor builder!
• 2 carrots, diced – I like mine chunky for texture
• 2 celery stalks, diced – the third musketeer in our veggie trio
• 3 garlic cloves, minced – because more garlic is always better
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (I prefer thighs for extra tenderness)
• 6 cups chicken broth – homemade if you’re fancy, boxed works great too
• 1 cup long-grain white rice – the kind that plumps up beautifully

For seasoning, we keep it simple with salt, black pepper, dried thyme (my secret weapon), a bay leaf for depth, and fresh parsley at the end for that pop of color and freshness. That’s it! No fancy ingredients, just good honest food that comes together like magic.

How to Make Simple Chicken and Rice Soup

Alright, let’s get cooking! This soup comes together so easily – I’ll walk you through each step. Before you know it, you’ll have a pot of comfort ready to go.

Sauté the Vegetables

First, grab your favorite soup pot (I use my trusty Dutch oven) and heat up that olive oil over medium heat. Toss in your diced onions, carrots and celery – that holy trinity of soup starters. Now here’s my trick: don’t rush this part! Let them soften and get friendly for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll know it’s right when the onions turn translucent and your kitchen starts smelling amazing. That’s when you add the minced garlic – just 1 minute until fragrant. Careful not to burn it!

Cook the Chicken

Next, nestle those chicken pieces right into the pot with the veggies. Pour in all that glorious broth – I like to use a wooden spoon to scrape up any tasty bits from the bottom. Bring it to a boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and let it work its magic for about 20 minutes. The chicken’s done when it reaches 165°F inside, but honestly? I just fish out a piece and check if it shreds easily with forks. Speaking of which…

Remove the chicken to a plate or cutting board and shred it using two forks – this goes way faster than you’d think! While you’re shredding, the broth is getting even more flavorful. Return all that juicy chicken back to the pot – every last bit.

Simmer with Rice

Now for the rice! Add it along with the salt, pepper, thyme and that precious bay leaf. Give everything a good stir, then let it simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes. The rice will drink up that broth and plump up beautifully. You’ll know it’s ready when the rice is tender but not mushy. Fish out the bay leaf (no one wants to bite into that!) and stir in the fresh parsley right at the end for a pop of color and freshness.

That’s it – your simple chicken and rice soup is ready to warm some hearts and bellies! Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then ladle it up while it’s piping hot.

Tips for the Best Simple Chicken and Rice Soup

Here are my hard-earned secrets after making this soup dozens of times – little tricks that take it from good to “give me another bowl!” good:

Got leftover rotisserie chicken? Toss in 3 cups shredded instead of cooking raw chicken – just add it with the rice to warm through. The soup comes together in half the time!

For thicker soup, add an extra 1/4 cup rice. If it gets too thick later? No worries – just stir in a splash of hot broth when reheating. The rice keeps absorbing liquid, so I often make it slightly brothy the first day knowing it’ll perfect itself overnight.

And here’s my favorite tip: let it sit 10 minutes off heat before serving. Those flavors meld together like magic – trust me, it’s worth the wait!

Variations on Simple Chicken and Rice Soup

Oh, the possibilities! This soup is like your favorite jeans – so easy to dress up or down. Swap white rice for brown (just add 10 extra minutes cooking time) or wild rice for nutty flavor. Toss in a handful of spinach at the end for color and nutrients – it wilts perfectly in the hot broth. Feeling fancy? Try sautéed mushrooms with the veggies or a squeeze of lemon at the end for brightness. The beauty is you can make it different every time while keeping that comforting soul intact!

Serving Suggestions for Simple Chicken and Rice Soup

This soup shines brightest with some crusty bread for dunking – I’m partial to a warm baguette or garlic toast. For lighter meals, pair it with a crisp green salad dressed simply with lemon and olive oil. Sometimes I’ll set out extra parsley, lemon wedges, and chili flakes so everyone can customize their bowl just how they like it!

Storing and Reheating Simple Chicken and Rice Soup

Here’s the beautiful thing about this soup – it actually gets better the next day! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of broth or water since the rice keeps absorbing liquid. My trick? Warm it gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Microwave works too – just cover and heat in 1-minute bursts, stirring between each. And if you’re feeling fancy, a quick squeeze of fresh lemon when reheating brightens everything up again!

Simple Chicken and Rice Soup FAQs

I get asked about this soup all the time – here are the questions that pop up most often with my tried-and-true answers!

Can I use frozen vegetables?
Absolutely! I do this often when I’m short on time. Just toss in frozen diced carrots and skip the sauté step – they’ll soften as the soup simmers. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

How can I make the soup thicker?
Easy! Add an extra 1/4 cup rice, or mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water and stir it in during the last 5 minutes of cooking. But honestly? I love it brothy – it thickens naturally as the rice sits!

Can I use brown rice instead?
You sure can – just add 10 extra minutes to the simmering time. The nutty flavor pairs beautifully with chicken. I sometimes do half white, half brown for the best of both worlds.

What if I don’t have fresh parsley?
No worries! Use 1 teaspoon dried parsley instead, or skip it entirely. A sprinkle of green onions at serving works great too. The soup will still taste amazing without it.

Can I freeze this soup?
Technically yes, but the rice gets mushy when thawed. For freezer meals, I prefer to freeze just the broth with chicken and veggies, then cook fresh rice when reheating. Trust me, it’s worth the extra 20 minutes!

Nutritional Information for Simple Chicken and Rice Soup

Each hearty bowl of this soup gives you about 320 calories with 25g of protein – perfect comfort food that actually fuels you! Remember, these numbers are just estimates since ingredients vary. The real magic? You’re getting veggies, protein and grains all in one cozy package. Now go make a pot and tell me how yours turns out – I can’t wait to hear!

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