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Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe

Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 30 reviews

This Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup is a comforting, hearty meal featuring tender chicken thighs simmered with fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and long grain white rice in a creamy broth. The soup is thickened naturally by cooking the rice directly in the pot, enriched with half and half, and balanced with a hint of heat from chili flakes and hot sauce. Garnished with Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and fresh parsley, it’s perfect for cozy dinners or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasonings

  • 1 1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp. mustard powder
  • 1/4 tsp. paprika
  • 1/4 tsp. chili flakes

Vegetables and Herbs

  • 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and diced
  • 3 stalks celery, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped

Liquids and Miscellaneous

  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. hot sauce
  • 1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Garnish

  • Parmesan cheese, shaved
  • Black pepper
  • Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Season the Chicken: Place the diced chicken pieces in a medium mixing bowl. Add the kosher salt, Italian seasoning, mustard powder, paprika, and chili flakes. Stir well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the seasonings. Set aside while preparing the vegetables.
  2. Sauté Vegetables: Heat a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Melt the unsalted butter, then add the diced onions, carrots, and celery. Sprinkle kosher salt to taste and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and stir for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Add the seasoned chicken pieces to the pot with the vegetables. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink and cooked through. Stir in the fresh thyme and rosemary to infuse the soup with herbal aroma.
  4. Add Flour to Thicken: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the chicken and vegetable mixture. Stir continuously to coat everything with the flour, which will help to thicken the soup later.
  5. Combine Liquids and Rice: Slowly pour in the chicken broth, half and half, soy sauce, and hot sauce while stirring to prevent lumps. Then add the uncooked long grain white rice and stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
  6. Simmer the Soup: Increase the heat to medium-high to bring the soup to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until the rice is tender and the soup has thickened naturally. Stir frequently during this time to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  7. Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the soup and add additional salt, pepper, or hot sauce as desired. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese, freshly ground black pepper, and chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy the comforting flavors.

Notes

  • Cooking the rice directly in the soup causes it to absorb broth and release starches, naturally thickening the soup. If the soup is too thick, especially when reheating leftovers, add additional broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
  • You can substitute chicken thighs with boneless chicken breasts for a leaner option, but thighs provide more flavor and tenderness.
  • Adjust the amount of hot sauce or chili flakes according to your preferred spice level.
  • For a dairy-free version, replace half and half with coconut milk or a suitable non-dairy creamer.
  • Ensure to stir frequently while simmering to prevent rice from sticking and burning at the bottom of the pot.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken soup, chicken and rice soup, comfort food, creamy soup recipe, homemade chicken soup, easy chicken soup

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/creamy-chicken-and-rice-soup-recipe/