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Cozy Thermos-Friendly Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe for Easy On-the-Go Meals

thermos-friendly chicken and rice soup - featured image

A comforting and hearty chicken and rice soup designed to stay warm in a thermos, perfect for busy days and on-the-go meals. This recipe balances tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a savory broth with fresh herbs and a touch of lemon.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 3/4 cup long-grain white rice (jasmine or basmati)
  • 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Handful of fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Dice the carrot, celery, and onion finely. Mince the garlic. Trim the chicken and cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add carrot, celery, and onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute, stirring to avoid burning.
  3. Add chicken pieces to the pot. Pour in 6 cups chicken broth. Add dried thyme and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
  4. Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in rice, cover again, and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender but not mushy. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Remove bay leaf. Stir in lemon juice and fresh parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer uncovered for 3-5 minutes to blend flavors.
  6. Let soup cool for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a thermos to keep warm on the go.

Notes

If soup thickens after sitting, stir in a splash of hot water or broth when reheating. Rinse rice briefly before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent mushiness. Use brown rice for nuttier flavor but increase cooking time by 10-15 minutes. For vegetarian version, substitute chicken with firm tofu and use vegetable broth. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or jalapeΓ±o for a spicy kick. Store leftovers in airtight container in fridge up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken soup, rice soup, thermos-friendly, easy soup recipe, on-the-go meals, comforting soup, quick chicken soup