Soothing Healing Chicken And Rice Soup Recipe for Body & Soul

Warm, hearty, and packed with soul-soothing flavors, this comforting chicken and rice soup recipe wraps you in a cozy embrace during chilly evenings.

Tender chicken pieces blend perfectly with soft, fluffy rice in a rich, golden broth.

Each spoonful carries the promise of home-cooked comfort and nourishment.

Fragrant herbs and vegetables dance through the soup, creating layers of delightful taste.

The simple ingredients come together effortlessly, making this a go-to meal when you need something quick and satisfying.

Nutritious and delicious, this soup promises to chase away any hint of hunger or cold.

Grab a bowl and let the warmth melt your worries away.

What You’ll Need For Healing Chicken And Rice Soup

• Garlic: Adds deep, pungent base flavor and supports immune health with potent antibacterial properties.
• Ginger: Provides warming, spicy undertone and helps reduce inflammation naturally.
• Shallot: Delivers delicate, sweet onion-like complexity and contributes gentle aromatic depth.
• Turmeric: Introduces golden color and powerful anti-inflammatory benefits with earthy undertones.

• Chicken Thighs: Offers rich, tender meat with higher moisture content compared to breast, ensuring succulent texture.
• Spinach: Packs nutrient-dense green goodness with tender leaves that melt into the soup.

• Olive Oil: Creates smooth cooking foundation with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
• Chicken Broth: Forms comforting liquid base with robust, savory profile.
• Rice: Provides satisfying grains that absorb surrounding flavors and offer gentle texture.
• Lime Juice: Brightens overall taste with tangy, zesty punch.

• Soy Sauce: Adds umami depth and subtle saltiness.
• Fish Sauce: Introduces complex, briny background note.
• Fresh Herbs: Contribute vibrant, fresh garnish with aromatic lift.
• Peanuts: Deliver crunchy textural contrast and nutty richness.
• Chili Flakes: Optional spicy kick for heat lovers.

Items To Use For Healing Chicken And Rice Soup

• Large pot: Essential for cooking and combining all ingredients, with high sides for easy stirring.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping garlic, ginger, shallots, and herbs.
• Chef's knife: Sharp knife for precise ingredient preparation.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring and sauteing ingredients without scratching pot.
• Measuring spoons: Accurate for measuring salt, turmeric, and other seasonings.
• Ladle: Helps serve soup smoothly into individual bowls.
• Shredding tools: Forks or tongs work great for shredding cooked chicken.
• Measuring cups: Useful for adding precise amounts of broth and rice.

How To Make Healing Chicken And Rice Soup

• Kickstart the Flavor Base

Heat up a large pot and dance some olive oil around. Toss in aromatic garlic, zesty ginger, and sweet shallots. Let them sizzle and become wonderfully fragrant for a few minutes.

• Transform the Chicken

Drop chicken thighs into the pot, sprinkling with salt and golden turmeric. Sear until they develop a beautiful light brown color. Cover and cook until the chicken is perfectly tender. Pull apart the meat into delicious shreds.

• Boost Nutritional Power

Slide fresh spinach into the pot, letting it gently wilt and release its vibrant green color. The leaves will soften and create a nutritious layer of goodness.

• Create the Comforting Base

Introduce rice to the pot, stirring it through the remaining spices and oils. Pour in broth and let everything simmer peacefully. Wait until the rice becomes soft and tender.

• Marry the Ingredients

Reunite the shredded chicken and wilted spinach back into the pot. Splash in some bright lime juice. Taste and adjust flavors to make them sing.

• Serve with Love

Ladle the soup into warm bowls. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and crunchy peanuts. Add extra lime or chili if you’re craving a kick.

Helpful Tricks For Healing Chicken And Rice Soup

• Soup Rescue Tricks: Easy Ways to Elevate Your Chicken and Rice Comfort Bowl
• Broth Boosting Hack: Swap regular chicken broth with homemade bone broth for deeper, richer flavor and extra nutrients that support immune health.
• Meal Prep Magic: Cook larger batches and freeze in portions. This soup keeps wonderfully for up to 3 months, making busy weeknight dinners a breeze.
• Protein Power Swap: Replace chicken thighs with rotisserie chicken or plant-based alternatives like tofu for different dietary needs without losing deliciousness.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust heat by adding fresh chili peppers, sriracha, or chili flakes. Start with small amounts and gradually increase to find your perfect warmth.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Substitute rice with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to create a lighter, keto-friendly version that's equally satisfying.

Ways To Plate Healing Chicken And Rice Soup

• Cozy Comfort Bowl: Serve this soup in deep, wide bowls to showcase the hearty ingredients and capture the warming essence of the dish.
• Fresh Herb Explosion: Sprinkle a generous handful of freshly chopped cilantro, mint, or Thai basil on top to add bright, aromatic notes that complement the rich soup base.
• Crunchy Texture Boost: Scatter chopped roasted peanuts or crispy fried shallots over the soup to provide a delightful contrast to the tender chicken and soft rice.
• Spice Level Play: Offer small dishes of chili oil, sriracha, or crushed red pepper flakes on the side, allowing each person to customize their heat level and make the soup uniquely their own.

Keep Healing Chicken And Rice Soup Stored Right

• Fridge Fresh Tactics: Store soup in airtight containers, keeping ingredients separate from toppings to maintain crispness and prevent soggy textures.
• Quick Chill Method: Cool soup completely before refrigeration, preventing bacterial growth and preserving delicate flavors within 2 hours of cooking.
• Smart Reheating Strategy: Warm soup gently on stovetop, adding a splash of fresh broth to restore original moisture and prevent ingredient breakdown.
• Extended Storage Solution: Freeze soup base without herbs and toppings in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months, ensuring maximum taste retention when thawed and freshly garnished.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 7

Comforting Chicken And Rice Soup Recipe

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4.9 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Comfort meets nourishment in this healing chicken and rice soup from Mexico’s culinary traditions. Warm broth, tender chicken, and fragrant herbs combine to provide wholesome nutrition you’ll crave during recovery or chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

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• 1.5 lbs (0.68 kg) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1.5 tsps salt
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 splash soy sauce or fish sauce (optional)
• 4 limes, juiced (about ¼ cup)
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced or grated
• 1 shallot, thinly sliced
• 1 cup jasmine rice
• 6–8 cups chicken broth (adjust to desired consistency)
• 3–4 cups fresh baby spinach
• Fresh herbs: cilantro, mint, or basil
• Chopped peanuts (optional)

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Instructions

1. Aromatic Base: Infuse olive oil with minced garlic, grated ginger, and chopped shallots over medium heat, creating a fragrant foundation that releases deep, complex flavors.
2. Chicken Preparation: Introduce chicken thighs to the aromatic mixture, seasoning with salt and turmeric. Sear until golden, cooking thoroughly before shredding into succulent morsels.
3. Rice and Broth Fusion: Toast rice in the remaining flavor-packed oils, then gradually incorporate broth. Simmer gently, allowing the grains to absorb liquid and develop a perfect, fluffy texture.
4. Verdant Integration: Gently fold wilted spinach and shredded chicken into the rice, creating a harmonious one-pot marvel. Elevate the dish with a bright splash of lime juice and optional umami-rich soy or fish sauce.
5. Final Flourish: Ladle the vibrant soup into warm bowls, crowning with fresh herbs and crunchy chopped peanuts. Provide additional lime or chili flakes for personalized zest, transforming this comforting meal into a customizable culinary experience.

Notes

• Optimize Flavor Base: Sauté aromatics like garlic, ginger, and shallots slowly to release maximum depth without burning, creating a robust foundation for the soup.
• Manage Chicken Moisture: Sear chicken thighs briefly on each side to lock in juices, preventing dryness and ensuring tender, flavorful meat that shreds easily.
• Control Rice Texture: Coat rice in remaining pot oils before adding broth, which helps prevent clumping and promotes even, fluffy absorption of liquid.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Swap chicken for tofu or plant-based protein to make the soup vegetarian, and use gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce for gluten-sensitive diners.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 18g
• Cholesterol: 70mg