Cozy Winter Chicken Rice Soup (Printable version)

Warming one-pot meal with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and aromatic vegetables. Perfect for chilly winter nights.

# Ingredients list:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
04 - 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
05 - 3 celery stalks, sliced
06 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Rice

07 - 3/4 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed

→ Broth & Seasoning

08 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
11 - 2 bay leaves
12 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
13 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

→ Finishing Touches

14 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
15 - Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until vegetables are softened and translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant and the raw garlic flavor mellows.
03 - Add chicken breasts, chicken broth, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
04 - Add rinsed rice, reduce heat to low, and cover with a lid. Simmer for 20-25 minutes until chicken is fully cooked through and rice is tender and fluffy.
05 - Remove chicken breasts from the pot and place on a cutting board. Shred the meat using two forks, then return the shredded chicken to the soup.
06 - Discard bay leaves from the pot. Stir in fresh chopped parsley and lemon juice if desired. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
07 - Ladle soup into serving bowls and serve hot. Optional garnish with additional fresh parsley or a drizzle of lemon juice.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour and requires just one pot, leaving you more time to actually enjoy the meal instead of cleaning up.
  • The combination of tender chicken, fluffy rice, and soft vegetables creates layers of comfort without feeling heavy.
  • You can make a big batch and freeze portions, turning a rough week into something instantly manageable.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice, or you'll end up with a gluey texture instead of those individually fluffy grains you're after.
  • If you use chicken thighs instead of breasts, the soup becomes richer and more forgiving, though you'll need a few extra minutes to ensure they're cooked through.
03 -
  • Brown rice works beautifully if you prefer it, though you'll need to add an extra five to ten minutes to the simmering time and maybe another half cup of broth.
  • If you're meal prepping, let the soup cool completely before portioning into containers, and it will keep in the refrigerator for four days or freeze perfectly for a month.
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