Cozy Winter Chicken and Rice Soup (Printable)

Hearty bowl of tender chicken and fluffy rice in a savory broth with vegetables

# What You'll Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
04 - 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
05 - 3 celery stalks, sliced
06 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Rice

07 - 3/4 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed

→ Broth & Seasoning

08 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
11 - 2 bay leaves
12 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
13 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

→ Finishing Touches

14 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
15 - Juice of 1/2 lemon, optional

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until vegetables are softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add chicken breasts, chicken broth, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat.
04 - Add rinsed rice, reduce heat to a simmer, and cover with a lid. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
05 - Remove chicken breasts from the pot and shred using two forks. Return the shredded meat to the soup.
06 - Discard bay leaves. Stir in fresh chopped parsley and lemon juice if desired. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls and serve while hot.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • This soup somehow stretches to feed unexpected guests, which saved me when my in-laws showed up unannounced during that three-day snowstorm last year.
  • The leftovers actually taste better the next day, making this my secret weapon for busy weeknights when I know cooking from scratch just isnt happening.
02 -
  • Adding the rice directly to the soup makes for one less pot to clean, but it will continue absorbing liquid even after cooking, so if you plan to have leftovers, consider cooking it separately and adding it to individual bowls.
  • I once left the pot simmering too long while on a phone call and returned to find the soup had reduced too much, but a quick addition of extra broth saved the day and actually intensified the flavor.
03 -
  • If you have parmesan rinds saved in your freezer, toss one into the simmering soup to infuse it with a subtle umami richness that will have everyone wondering about your secret ingredient.
  • For an even more aromatic soup, bundle your herbs and bay leaves in a bit of cheesecloth before adding them to the pot, making them easier to remove before serving.
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