Recipe Details

• Author: deesviral
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Category: Soup / Comfort Food
• Cuisine: American
• Keywords: chicken and rice soup, classic soup, 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
• 1½ lbs chicken breasts or thighs
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 3/4 cup long-grain white rice
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 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 6–7 minutes until softened.
3. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add chicken, chicken broth, salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaf.
5. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
6. Remove chicken, shred with two forks, and return to the pot.
7. Add rice and simmer for 15–20 minutes until rice is tender.
8. Remove bay leaf, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.
9. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use brown rice, but increase cook time by 10–15 minutes.
• Add lemon juice for brightness just before serving.
• For meal prep, cook rice separately to avoid thickening.

Why This Recipe Works

Rice gently thickens the broth while absorbing savory flavor, and simmering the chicken whole keeps it juicy and tender. The simple seasoning highlights classic comfort, making this soup reliable, soothing, and endlessly satisfying.