Recipe Details

• Author: deesviral
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Category: Soup / Comfort Food
• Cuisine: American
• Keywords: chicken rice soup, easy soup recipe, comforting soup, deesviral

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie works well)
• 3/4 cup white rice
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• Optional: fresh parsley or dill for garnish

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5–6 minutes until softened.
3. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add chicken broth, rice, salt, pepper, and thyme.
5. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes until rice is tender.
6. Stir in cooked chicken and simmer for 5 more minutes until heated through.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
8. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use brown rice, but increase cook time slightly.
• Add a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
• For meal prep, cook rice separately to avoid thickening.

Why This Recipe Works

Using pre-cooked chicken keeps this soup quick and easy, while rice adds natural body and comfort. Simple seasoning lets the classic flavors shine, making this soup reliable, soothing, and perfect any time of year.