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Cozy Chicken & Rice Soup

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A simple, budget-friendly, and comforting chicken and rice soup perfect for chilly evenings or when you need a warm, nourishing meal. Made with pantry staples and easy to prepare in under 45 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great)
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (jasmine or basmati preferred)
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: fresh parsley for garnish
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  1. Dice the onion, carrots, and celery into small, even pieces (about ¼ inch). Mince the garlic finely. Shred or chop your cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and the onion turns translucent.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, and bay leaf. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Add the 6 cups of chicken broth to the pot. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
  5. Stir in the rice, cover partially with a lid, and let it simmer for 18-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender but not mushy.
  6. Stir in the shredded chicken and cook for another 5 minutes until heated through. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
  7. Remove the bay leaf, then stir in the fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
  8. Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm.

Notes

Keep the lid slightly ajar while simmering to prevent rice from sticking. Use low-sodium broth to control saltiness. Add a splash of broth or water when reheating if soup thickens. Leftover rotisserie chicken works well. For a creamier texture, stir in ½ cup coconut milk near the end. Brown rice can be used but requires longer cooking time (30-35 minutes).

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken soup, rice soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, budget meal, homemade soup, cozy dinner

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/cozy-chicken-and-rice-soup-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-meal-on-budget/