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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- 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.
- Chicken Preparation: Introduce chicken thighs to the aromatic mixture, seasoning with salt and turmeric. Sear until golden, cooking thoroughly before shredding into succulent morsels.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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