Easy Chicken Rice Soup (Printer-Friendly)

Hearty soup blending tender chicken, rice, and fresh vegetables in a single pot for easy, wholesome comfort.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Rice

06 - 2/3 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed

→ Liquids

07 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
08 - 1 tablespoon olive oil or unsalted butter

→ Seasonings & Herbs

09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1 bay leaf
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste

→ Finishing Touches

13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
14 - Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat the olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften.
02 - Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in the chicken pieces and cook for 2–3 minutes until lightly browned on the outside.
04 - Add the rice, chicken broth, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
06 - Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
07 - Stir in fresh parsley before serving.
08 - Serve hot, with lemon wedges on the side if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one pot, which means you'll spend more time eating and less time scrubbing dishes.
  • The chicken stays incredibly tender while the rice absorbs all those golden, savory flavors.
  • It's the kind of meal that tastes better on the second day, so leftovers are genuinely exciting.
02 -
  • Leftover soup will thicken as it sits because the rice keeps absorbing liquid, so stir in extra broth when reheating rather than trying to add water.
  • If you've accidentally overcooked the rice and it's mushy, don't worry—just blend a portion of the soup with an immersion blender for a creamy texture that actually works beautifully.
03 -
  • Rinse your rice before adding it to prevent a starchy, gluey texture—this one small step makes a noticeable difference in the final soup.
  • Don't skip sautéing the vegetables first; those first 5 minutes build flavor layers that make the entire pot taste richer and more intentional.
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