Heartwarming Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

Cozy winter nights call for a hearty chicken and rice soup that warms you from the inside out.

This creamy chicken and rice soup recipe delivers comfort in every single spoonful.

Rich, velvety broth hugs tender chicken pieces and perfectly cooked rice with delightful seasonings.

Aromatic herbs dance through the soup, creating layers of mouth-watering flavor.

Home cooks adore how simple yet satisfying this recipe can be for a quick weeknight dinner.

Packed with protein and pure deliciousness, this soup promises to become your new cold-weather favorite.

Grab your pot and get ready to stir up some serious comfort.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 410 kcal

Servings: 7

What Goes Into Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

• Chicken: Tender white meat that adds hearty flavor and protein punch, choose boneless skinless pieces for easy preparation.
• Soy Sauce: Umami booster that deepens savory profile and enhances overall taste complexity.

• Onions, Carrots, Celery: Classic soup foundation creating rich flavor base, select fresh crisp produce for maximum sweetness.
• Garlic: Aromatic powerhouse that provides robust depth and incredible warmth to the dish.
• Fresh Thyme, Rosemary: Fragrant herbs that infuse earthy woodland notes and elevate soup's sophistication.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright green garnish offering fresh finish and visual appeal.

• Chicken Broth: Liquid foundation delivering fundamental savory essence, opt for low-sodium varieties for better control.
• Half and Half: Creamy component creating luxurious silky texture and rich mouthfeel.
• Hot Sauce: Zesty kick that introduces subtle heat and exciting flavor dimension.
• Rice: Hearty grain providing comforting bulk and satisfying texture, long-grain works best.
• Butter: Rich base for sautéing vegetables, adds subtle golden undertone.
• Flour: Gentle thickening agent ensuring smooth consistent soup texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp tangy topping enhancing overall flavor complexity.

• Kosher Salt: Primary seasoning for balanced flavor profile.
• Italian Seasoning: Herbal blend introducing complex aromatic notes.
• Mustard Powder: Subtle zingy undertone adding unexpected depth.

Soup-Making Tools for Creamy Chicken & Rice

• Dutch oven or large soup pot: Essential for cooking and simmering the soup, providing even heat distribution.
• Medium bowl: Perfect for seasoning and mixing chicken with spices.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping vegetables and chicken.
• Sharp knife: Helps dice onions, carrots, celery, and chicken precisely.
• Measuring spoons: Crucial for accurately adding seasonings and spices.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and preventing ingredients from sticking.
• Ladle: Helps serve the soup neatly into individual bowls.

Making Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup at Home

• Chicken Preparation

Blend aromatic spices to coat tender chicken chunks, creating a flavor foundation that promises a hearty soup experience.

• Vegetable Foundation

Gently transform butter into a golden base, sautéing crisp onions, carrots, and celery until they release their sweet essence and become wonderfully tender.

• Protein Integration

Introduce seasoned chicken to the vegetable landscape, allowing the meat to dance and transform from raw to perfectly cooked.

• Silky Texture Development

Dust flour across the bubbling mixture, creating a magical thickening agent that will transform the liquid into a luxurious, creamy canvas.

• Liquid Symphony

Pour chicken broth, cream, and subtle flavor enhancers into the pot, welcoming uncooked rice to join the simmering party. Let everything meld together over gentle heat, stirring occasionally to prevent any ingredient from feeling left out.

• Final Flourish

Taste and calibrate the soup’s personality with additional seasoning. Serve in warm bowls crowned with delicate Parmesan shavings, cracked pepper, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley to elevate the comfort food experience.

Add-Ins to Level Up Chicken and Rice Soup

• Swap white rice for brown rice or quinoa to boost nutrition and add a nutty flavor profile.
• Toss in cooked rotisserie chicken or shredded turkey for a quick protein upgrade that saves cooking time.
• Kick up the heat by adding extra chili flakes, a dash of cayenne pepper, or a splash of your favorite hot sauce for bold flavor punch.
• Store cooled soup in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently, adding extra broth to restore creamy consistency.

How to Present Chicken and Rice Soup Warmly

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Serve this hearty soup alongside warm, toasted sourdough or rustic French bread to soak up every delicious drop and add a delightful crunch.
• Craft a Complete Meal: Transform the soup into a satisfying dinner by adding a simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette for a balanced and refreshing accompaniment.
• Create Cozy Comfort: Enjoy this soup during chilly evenings while wrapped in a soft blanket, making it the perfect meal for relaxing and warming up after a long day.
• Top with Extra Flavor: Sprinkle additional toppings like crispy bacon bits, green onions, or a dollop of sour cream to enhance the soup's richness and add exciting texture.

Storing Chicken and Rice Soup fors

• Store Safely: Transfer leftover soup to airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Keep soup in sealed containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
• Freeze for Future: Pack soup in freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze up to 3 months for quick meal options during busy weeks.
• Reheat Carefully: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Warm gently on stovetop, stirring frequently and adding extra broth to restore original creamy consistency. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain soup's smooth texture.

Comforting Chicken And Rice Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty chicken and rice soup delivers comfort in a bowl, perfect for chilly evenings. Warm, nourishing ingredients blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each spoonful of this classic, soul-satisfying meal.

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Ingredients

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• 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken thighs, boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 large carrots, peeled and diced
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsps unsalted butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup half and half
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp hot sauce
• ¼ tsp mustard powder
• ¼ tsp paprika
• ¼ tsp chili flakes
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Parmesan cheese
• Black pepper
• Fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Seasoning Preparation: Blend diced chicken with kosher salt, Italian seasoning, mustard powder, paprika, and chili flakes in a mixing bowl, allowing flavors to harmonize while prepping other components.
2. Vegetable Foundation: Melt butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Sauté onions, carrots, and celery with a salt pinch until softened and translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes.
3. Aromatics and Protein: Introduce minced garlic for 30 seconds, then add seasoned chicken. Cook until meat turns completely opaque, incorporating fresh thyme and rosemary.
4. Flavor Development: Dust the mixture with flour, toasting for 1-2 minutes to eliminate raw taste and create a robust flavor base.
5. Liquid Integration: Pour chicken broth, half and half, soy sauce, and hot sauce into the pot. Blend thoroughly to create a smooth, cohesive liquid foundation.
6. Rice Cooking: Add uncooked rice, stirring evenly. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low, simmering 15-20 minutes while periodically stirring to prevent rice from sticking.
7. Consistency Management: Adjust liquid volume with additional chicken broth or water if the soup becomes too thick.
8. Final Seasoning: Taste and fine-tune with salt, black pepper, and hot sauce according to preference.
9. Presentation: Serve piping hot, garnishing with shaved Parmesan cheese, freshly cracked black pepper, and chopped parsley for an elegant finish.

Notes

• Optimize Chicken Seasoning: Marinate chicken with spices for at least 10 minutes to enhance flavor penetration and develop deeper taste profiles.
• Vegetable Sautéing Technique: Cook onions, carrots, and celery slowly to release natural sugars, creating a rich, caramelized flavor base for the soup.
• Flour Toasting Trick: Carefully toast flour to eliminate raw taste and develop a nutty, complex undertone that elevates the overall soup quality.
• Rice Cooking Precision: Monitor rice carefully during simmering to prevent overcooking and maintain perfect texture, adding liquid as needed for ideal consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg