Description
Hearty chicken and rice soup delights palates with its comforting blend of tender chicken, perfectly cooked rice, and rich broth. Warm bowls invite relaxation, connecting hungry souls through classic culinary comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or boiled)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup uncooked rice (white, brown, or wild rice)
- 1 cup milk or half-and-half
- ½ cup heavy cream (for extra creaminess)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp thyme
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
- 1 tbsp flour or cornstarch + 2 tbsps water (for thickening, if needed)
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Heat a large pot over medium heat, melding butter and olive oil to create a fragrant cooking foundation.
- Vegetable Sauté: Add onions, carrots, and celery to the aromatic base, cooking until vegetables become soft and translucent, releasing their delicate flavors and natural sweetness.
- Seasoning Infusion: Introduce garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika into the vegetable mixture, stirring briefly to activate and distribute the complex herb and spice profile.
- Protein Integration: Fold shredded chicken into the seasoned vegetable mixture, ensuring the meat is thoroughly coated with the flavorful foundation.
- Liquid Composition: Pour chicken broth and heavy cream into the pot, creating a rich, velvety liquid that will serve as the soup’s luxurious binding element.
- Rice Incorporation: Gently add uncooked rice, allowing it to simmer and gradually absorb the seasoned liquid while expanding and softening throughout the cooking process.
- Final Cooking Stage: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup develop its depth of flavor, occasionally stirring to prevent rice from sticking and ensure uniform cooking.
- Finishing Touches: Assess rice tenderness and soup consistency, making final seasoning adjustments with salt and pepper as needed to perfect the flavor profile.
Notes
- Prevent Rice Sticking: Stir frequently during cooking to stop rice from clumping or burning at the bottom of the pot.
- Control Liquid Absorption: Add extra chicken broth if rice absorbs too much liquid, maintaining a creamy soup consistency.
- Optimize Chicken Texture: Use rotisserie or pre-cooked shredded chicken for faster preparation and more tender meat quality.
- Enhance Dietary Flexibility: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version or use cauliflower rice for a lower-carb alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg