Easy Homemade Chicken Rice Soup Recipe

Hearty Chicken Rice Soup blends tender chicken with nutty brown rice, vibrant vegetables and a savory broth spiked with thyme and bay leaf. This comforting dish fills the soul on cool days, offering a satisfying mix of textures and flavors topped with fresh parsley for an inviting, aromatic, gratifying finish.

I made this Easy Homemade Chicken Rice Soup for a chilly day when I wanted a healthy and comforting meal. I started by heating 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot and sautéing a diced medium yellow onion along with 2 minced garlic cloves until they softened.

Then I added 3 chopped carrots and 2 celery stalks, letting them cook until they got a little color. Using 6 cups chicken broth as my base, I stirred in 1 cup of rinsed brown rice, along with chunks of 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

I seasoned the soup with 1 tsp dried thyme, a bay leaf, salt and pepper to taste. The slow simmer helped all the flavors meld together nicely.

I like that this soup is not only hearty but also packed with nutritional goodness. I finish it off with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley.

Its simplicity and delicious flavors make it one of my favorite healthy soup recipes that never fails to warm me up.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because it’s super easy to follow and makes a really comforting meal on a cold day. I love that the veggies and brown rice create a healthy meal that still tastes awesome. Its also a great recipe because you can modify the seasonings if you need a little extra flavor or if you want to try something new. Lastly, I really enjoy how the soup fills the whole house with a warm, inviting smell that makes me feel at home.

Ingredients

• Olive oil: a healthy fat that kickstarts the soup with a mild fruity taste.
• Yellow onion: adds a slightly sweet and savory flavor while providing useful vitamins.
• Garlic: brings a punchy zest and healthy benefits that make the dish extra vibrant.
• Chicken broth: offers a rich base with umami flavor that deepens the overall taste.
• Brown rice: packed with fiber and carbohydrates for a hearty, sustaining meal.
• Chicken breasts: lean protein that make the soup filling yet keep it light.
• Carrots: provide natural sweetness and vitamins that add a refreshing crunch.
• Celery: adds a crisp flavor and lots of essential nutrients for soup balance.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup brown rice, rinsed
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb total), cut into chunks
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley for garnish

How to Make this

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add the diced onion and cook until its soft and a little translucent.

2. Toss in the minced garlic, chopped carrots, and chopped celery and cook for about 2 minutes until they start to soften.

3. Pour in the 6 cups of chicken broth and add the rinsed brown rice, dried thyme, and bay leaf.

4. Bring the mixture to a light simmer and let it cook, covered, for about 20 minutes so the rice starts to get tender.

5. Add the chicken breast chunks, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Let the soup simmer for another 20 minutes; this helps to cook the chicken completely and makes the flavors mix really well.

7. Check to make sure the rice is fully cooked and the chicken is no longer pink in the middle; if not, simmer it a few minutes more.

8. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

9. If you like, stir in the fresh chopped parsley for an extra burst of color and flavor.

10. Taste the soup one more time, adjust the seasoning if needed, and then ladle it into bowls to serve warm. Enjoy your comforting homemade soup!

Equipment Needed

1. Large pot (to heat oil and simmer the soup)
2. Chef’s knife (for dicing onions, mincing garlic, chopping carrots and celery, and cutting chicken)
3. Cutting board (for all your chopping needs)
4. Measuring cups and spoons (to accurately measure olive oil, broth, and spices)
5. Wooden spoon (to stir ingredients while they cook)
6. Colander (to rinse the brown rice)
7. Ladle (to serve the soup)

FAQ

Easy Homemade Chicken Rice Soup Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Here are a few simple substitutions you can try:

• Olive oil: You can use canola oil or even butter if you dont have olive oil on hand.
• Chicken broth: If you dont have chicken broth, water mixed with a bouillon cube works just fine.
• Chicken breasts: Try using chicken thighs instead for a richer flavor and more tender meat.
• Brown rice: White rice or quinoa are good alternatives if you dont mind a slight change in texture.
• Yellow onion: Red or white onion can be used in a pinch to get that similar savory base.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you heat up the oil and let the onions get soft before adding the garlic and other veggies, cause if you add garlic too soon it might burn and give a bitter taste.
2. Keep an eye on the rice – sometimes it might need a bit more liquid or extra minutes to get fully tender, so stir it a few times to keep it from sticking to the pot.
3. Season in layers; add a little salt and pepper early on, then taste it at the end to make sure the flavors meld well, rather than trying to fix everything at once.
4. If you’re up for it, toss in an extra bay leaf or a pinch of thyme during cooking for a richer flavor, just be sure to fish them out before serving.