Heartwarming Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe for Cold Days
Comfort comes alive in this hearty creamy chicken and rice soup that satisfies every craving.
Tender chicken pieces blend seamlessly with soft rice grains swimming in a luxurious broth.
Warm and inviting, this soup delivers pure deliciousness in every spoonful.
Each ingredient speaks to classic home cooking traditions passed down through generations.
Aromatic herbs and rich cream create a silky texture that warms you from the inside out.
Packed with protein and flavor, this soup turns an ordinary meal into a memorable dining experience.
Prepare to fall in love with a recipe that promises pure, soul-soothing comfort.
How to Save and Reheat Chicken and Rice Soup
Good Pairings for Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
Delicious Ways to Change Chicken and Rice Soup
FAQs
Yes, you can substitute brown rice, but you’ll need to increase the cooking time. Brown rice takes longer to cook, so adjust the simmering time to 25-30 minutes to ensure it becomes tender.
Absolutely! Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative. You can also use unsweetened almond milk for a lighter version that still provides creaminess.
Add more cooked chicken or include diced ham. You can also stir in some white beans or lentils for extra protein. These additions will boost the nutritional value without changing the soup’s overall flavor profile.
Create your own blend using dried oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. Use equal parts of each herb to replicate the Italian seasoning flavor. About 1 teaspoon of the combined herbs will work perfectly in this recipe.
What Makes This Chicken and Rice Soup So Comforting
What You’ll Need for Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
Main Ingredients:Vegetables:Seasonings and Thickeners:Instructions to Make Chicken and Rice Soup
Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
Add celery, carrots, and onions.
Let the vegetables dance and soften for 5-7 minutes, releasing their delightful flavors.
Watch them turn golden and become wonderfully fragrant.
Step 2: Introduce Garlic And Thickener
Sprinkle minced garlic and flour into the pot.
Stir continuously for about a minute to prevent any lumpy surprises and help create a silky smooth base for your soup.
Step 3: Wake Up The Flavors
Pour chicken broth into the pot, gently scraping the bottom to lift those delicious caramelized bits.
These little flavor bombs will make your soup extraordinary.
Step 4: Build The Soup’s Foundation
Blend in:Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat.
Cover the pot slightly and let it simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent rice from sticking.
Step 5: Add Protein And Final Touches
Drop in chicken pieces and cook for 7-10 minutes until both chicken and rice reach perfect tenderness.
Season generously with salt and pepper to enhance the overall taste.
Step 6: Perfect The Consistency
Check the soup’s thickness.
If it feels too dense, splash in extra broth.
For future servings, consider cooking rice separately to maintain ideal texture.
Tips to Get Creamy, Flavorful Chicken Soup
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Creamy Chicken And Rice Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Comfort meets flavor in this creamy chicken and rice soup, a heartwarming dish that promises pure culinary bliss. Packed with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a silky broth, you’ll savor each spoonful of this soul-warming classic.
Ingredients
Protein:
- 1 pound chicken breast, sliced into bite-sized pieces or strips
Vegetables:
- 1 celery stick, finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 3 minced garlic cloves
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3/4 cup uncooked white jasmine rice
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high temperature. Sauté celery, carrots, and onion until softened and fragrant, approximately 5-7 minutes, developing a rich flavor base.
- Incorporate minced garlic and flour, stirring continuously for one minute to prevent lumps and create a smooth thickening agent for the soup.
- Gradually pour chicken broth into the pot, scraping the bottom to release caramelized bits, which will enhance the overall depth of flavor.
- Introduce Italian seasoning, rice, and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover partially and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent rice from sticking.
- Add chicken pieces and continue cooking for 7-10 minutes until both chicken and rice reach perfect tenderness. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Monitor soup consistency during cooking. If the soup becomes too thick, incorporate additional broth to maintain desired texture. For meal prep, consider cooking rice separately and adding it to individual servings to prevent overcooking.
Notes
- Prevent rice from becoming mushy by cooking it separately and adding to individual servings, ensuring perfect texture every time.
- Create a lighter version by substituting heavy cream with low-fat milk or Greek yogurt, reducing calories without sacrificing creaminess.
- Make the soup gluten-free by using cornstarch instead of flour and selecting certified gluten-free chicken broth for thickening and flavor.
- Enhance protein content by adding extra shredded rotisserie chicken or mixing in white beans for a heartier, more nutritious meal option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Clara Thompson
Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Developing accessible single-serving recipes, Food writing and content creation, Plant-based and allergen-friendly cooking, Culinary education and workshop facilitation
Education
Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)
Diploma in Culinary Arts
Specialized in plant-based cooking and sustainable kitchen practices.
Portland Community College
Certificate in Food Writing and Media
Focused on recipe writing, food photography, and digital content creation.
Clara’s food journey began with a curiosity for color, texture, and ingredients pulled straight from the garden. Her background in plant-forward cooking and creative writing gives her a unique edge – she makes healthy, flavorful food feel inviting, not intimidating.
She specializes in meals that work for busy lives and different diets, all without sacrificing taste. Clara’s voice comes through in every recipe she writes – clear, kind, and encouraging.