Cozy Winter Chicken Rice Soup (Printable)

A warming one-pot meal with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and vegetables ready in 55 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1 pound)

→ Vegetables and 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 and 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

# Method:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and sliced celery. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until vegetables are softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add chicken breasts, chicken broth, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
04 - Add rinsed rice, reduce heat to a gentle simmer, and cover. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
05 - Remove chicken breasts from the pot using tongs or a slotted spoon. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces and return to the soup.
06 - Discard bay leaves. Stir in fresh parsley and lemon juice if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • It's genuinely a one-pot situation, which means less cleanup when you're already tired.
  • The rice cooks directly in the broth, so it becomes infused with flavor rather than bland.
  • You can have this ready in under an hour, including prep time.
  • It tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or unexpected guests.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice—it's the difference between fluffy grains and a starchy, sticky mess.
  • If your soup seems thin, it's actually fine; it will thicken slightly as it cools, and the rice continues absorbing liquid even after you turn off the heat.
03 -
  • Keep your chicken broth at a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil—it keeps the meat tender and the broth clearer.
  • If you forget to rinse the rice, it's not a disaster, but the soup will be slightly cloudier and thicker, which some people actually prefer for a cozier texture.
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