Chicken And Rice Soup For The Soul

A bowl full of guilt-free comfort food is what you’ll get from this chicken and rice soup. Dress it up, just like the ingredients call for, or strip it down to the basics. Either way it’s served it’ll be satisfyingly GOOD!

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During times of uncertainty when things are going against the norm, it’s good to know there’s comfort cooking in the kitchen. This recipe is fitting for those times.

Just the mention of chicken soup has a way of soothing the soul. Its ingredients are thought to have anti-inflammatory properties to help lessen cold and flu symptoms. None of this has been proven. However, the hot soup with peppery spices can help relieve congestion and the saltiness can soothe a sour throat.

So let’s get this soup on!

Cooked Chicken And Leftover Rice

The use of a rotisserie chicken or packaged cooked chicken meat makes this soup more effortless. You can also boil a fresh chicken in 8 cups of water on the stove-top or in an electric pressure cooker.

I chose to prepare this chicken in my Instant Pot and use its fresh broth for the soup. Whichever way you choose don’t throw away that carcass! Use it for Making Delicious Bone Broth In The Instant Pot. The bone broth is a healthy addition to recipes like this chicken and rice soup or for sipping alone. I have a cup every day for the collagen and to help soothe a sensitive tummy when necessary.

Using canned or boxed broth is perfectly fine!

Another easy-to-use ingredient is leftover rice. But if cooked rice isn’t on hand, you can quickly prepare a batch in an electric pot like the Aroma Rice Cooker. I have one and it’s much like the first pot I received as a new bride. A traditional Cajun wedding gift.

Or, check out my Everyday Rice Every Day recipe and story about the importance of rice in Cajun country. We eat it every day! And the instruction for stove-top rice cooking is a no-fail classic.

Dressed-Up Or Basic

This soup is perfect for sharing with family and friends who need a little comfort. It’s a simple and delicious way to nourish the body. Some have told me it’s exactly what they needed at the time.

In this recipe, you have the option of using all of the ingredients listed or not. I know, I know, you don’t see green peas in chicken and rice soup much, but give them a try. They add a little bite and sweetness to the soup.

For a heartier dish, add some heavy whipping cream after it’s cooked for creamy chicken soup. Like I said, you can go basic or add whatever you like. Just don’t forget to remove the bay leaves!

Chicken And Rice Soup

This wholesome soup is easily made with pre-cooked chicken and rice simmered in a broth with fresh vegetables spiked with herbs and seasonings. 

• Author: Louisiana Woman
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dishes
• Method: simmering/broiling
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

2 tablespoons oive oil

1–1 /2 cups onion, chopped

1/2 cup celery, sliced

1–1/2 cups carrots, diced

4 cloves garlic, pressed

8 cups unsalted chicken broth or chicken bone broth

1 pound cooked chicken, diced

1 cup cooked rice, white or brown

1 tablespoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 to 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

2 dried bay leaves

1 cup frozen peas

1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Saute onions, celery, and carrots in the oil for 5-10 minutes in a large soup pot, stirring often and adding the garlic during the last few minutes of cooking.

Add chicken broth and simmer on low for 20 minutes, covered.

Add chicken, rice, seasonings, and bayleaves and slowly simmer on low for 10 more minutes, covered.

Turn heat off from under pot, stir in peas and sprinkle with parsley.

Serve hot.

Notes

Cook raw chicken in the Instant Pot with 8 cups of water on high pressure for 15 minutes for cooked chicken in this recipe. 

If using cooked chicken and broth that are already seasoned, adjust seasonings and herbs in the recipe as needed.

Simmer on low, careful not to break up the chicken pieces.

For a simpler pot of chicken soup, omit the last 4 ingredients still yielding a delicious wholesome light soup.

Add a bit of heavy cream after cooking to a bowlful for creamy chicken soup.

Keywords: chicken and rice soup, chicken soup, healing soups, soup

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“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words – and never stops at all.”

-Emily Dickenson