Cozy Winter Chicken and Rice Soup (Printable)

A warming one-pot meal with tender shredded chicken, fluffy rice, and aromatic vegetables perfect for chilly nights.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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)

# How-To Steps:

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 soften.
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. Bring mixture to a boil.
04 - Add rinsed rice, reduce heat to a simmer, and cover with lid. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes until chicken is cooked through and rice becomes tender.
05 - Remove chicken breasts from pot and shred using two forks. Return shredded meat to the soup.
06 - Discard bay leaves. Stir in fresh parsley and lemon juice if desired. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls and serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The rice soaks up all those savory chicken flavors while cooking, creating little pillows of flavor that burst in your mouth with each spoonful.
  • Everything comes together in one pot, so you can focus on getting cozy on the couch while it simmers instead of washing a million dishes.
02 -
  • If you let the soup sit too long after cooking, the rice will continue absorbing liquid until your soup becomes more like a thick stew - add extra broth when reheating leftovers.
  • Testing the chicken for doneness by temperature (165°F) rather than time prevents the disappointment of discovering raw centers or overcooked, stringy meat.
03 -
  • Save Parmesan rinds in your freezer and toss one into the simmering broth for an incredible depth of flavor that people wont be able to identify but will definitely notice.
  • For meal prep, make the soup without rice, freeze in portions, then add freshly cooked rice when reheating - this prevents the disappointment of mushy grain syndrome.
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