Hearty Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe

A Pot Full of Memories

I have made this soup for years. It reminds me of my own grandma. She taught me to cook when I was just a girl. I still laugh at how I used to chop the carrots too big.

This soup is like a warm hug from the inside. It fills your belly and your heart. That is why this matters. A good meal can make a bad day feel much better.

The Simple Start

First, we start with the onion, carrots, and celery. We let them get soft in the pot. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It is the best smell in a kitchen.

This first step builds all the flavor. Do not rush it. Let those veggies become friends. What is your favorite kitchen smell? Mine will always be onions cooking in butter.

Fun Fact and Flavor

Here is a fun fact for you. The carrots and celery are called “aromatics.” They make your whole house smell wonderful while they cook. That is their special job.

Then we add the broth and rice. The rice soaks up all that good flavor. This is why using a good broth matters. It turns simple rice into something special.

The Cozy Finish

At the very end, we stir in the chicken. I love using a rotisserie chicken. It makes everything so easy. This is my little secret for a fast, tasty soup.

A little fresh parsley on top makes it pretty. It adds a fresh pop of color. Do you have a favorite “secret” ingredient that makes cooking easier for you?

Your Turn in the Kitchen

Now it is your turn to try. This recipe is very forgiving. If you like more chicken, add more. If you want more rice, go ahead. Make it your own.

Cooking is not about being perfect. It is about creating something with your own two hands. That is a wonderful feeling. Will you be making this soup soon?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
olive oil	1 tablespoon
unsalted butter	1 tablespoon
yellow onion	1 medium	diced (approximately 1 cup)
carrots	2 large	diced into ¼-inch pieces (approximately 1 cup)
celery	2 ribs	diced into ¼-inch pieces (approximately 1 cup)
garlic	2 teaspoons	minced
dried basil	1 teaspoon
dried oregano	½ teaspoon
kosher salt	1 teaspoon
pepper	¼ teaspoon
red pepper flakes	⅛ teaspoon	optional
chicken broth	6 cups (1,440 g)
long-grain white rice	1 cup (185 g)	uncooked
rotisserie chicken	2 cups (280 g)	shredded and cubed
fresh parsley		for garnish

A Bowl of Cozy Hugs

Hello, my dear! Come on in. The rain is tapping on my window today. It makes me want a big, warm bowl of soup. This chicken and rice soup is my favorite. It feels like a cozy hug from the inside. My own grandma taught me this recipe on a day just like this. I still think of her every single time I make it. Doesn’t that smell amazing already? Let’s get started together.

• Step 1: Grab your biggest, comfiest pot. Put it on the stove over a medium heat. Add the olive oil and that pat of butter. The butter makes everything taste richer, I think. Wait for the butter to melt and get a little foamy. This is the perfect start to any good soup.
• Step 2: Now, toss in your diced onion, carrots, and celery. We call this the “holy trinity” of flavor. Listen to that gentle sizzle! It’s the sound of a good meal beginning. Stir them now and then until they get soft and sweet. This takes about ten minutes. Then add the garlic. Oh, that smell is just heavenly. It always reminds me of my mom’s kitchen.
• Step 3: Time for the dried herbs, salt, and pepper. The red pepper flakes are my little secret. They add a tiny, happy kick. (A hard-learned tip: Don’t add the salt after the broth. It won’t taste the same!) Stir it all up. The kitchen will smell like a proper Italian garden. Do you have a favorite spice? Share below!
• Step 4: Pour in all that golden chicken broth. Turn the heat up to high. Let the pot come to a nice, rolling boil. This is when the magic really starts. All those flavors are getting to know each other. I love watching the bubbles dance.
• Step 5: Turn the heat down to a gentle simmer. Now, stir in your uncooked rice. Using a rotisserie chicken makes this so easy and tasty. Just shred it up with your hands. Add the chicken to the pot. Let it all cook until the rice is tender. Then it’s ready to serve. I still laugh at how my grandson always asks for seconds.

Cook Time: 30–40 minutes
Total Time: 45–50 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Dinner, Soup

Three Fun Twists to Try

This soup is like a blank canvas. You can paint it with so many different flavors. Feel free to play with it. I love getting creative on lazy Sundays. Here are a few of my favorite ideas. They are all so simple and delicious.

• Lemon Zest Zing: Stir in the juice of a whole lemon at the end. It makes the soup taste so bright and fresh.
• Veggie Power-Up: Swap the chicken for a can of drained white beans. It’s so hearty and wonderful for a meatless Monday.
• Curry Comfort: Add a tablespoon of yellow curry powder with the other spices. It gives the soup a warm, golden color and taste.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

The Perfect Cozy Setup

Now, how should we enjoy our beautiful soup? A good meal is about the whole experience. I always serve this in my biggest, deepest bowls. It just feels right. A sprinkle of fresh parsley on top makes it look so pretty. It’s like a little green smile.

For a side, nothing beats a thick, crusty slice of bread. You need it for dipping into that lovely broth. A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette is also perfect. It balances everything out so nicely.

What to drink? A cold glass of apple cider is my go-to. The sweetness is just right with the savory soup. For a grown-up treat, a crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc is lovely. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Cozy Soup Cozy

This soup is perfect for making ahead. Let it cool completely first. Then, pop it in the fridge for up to four days.

You can also freeze it for a quick future meal. I freeze it in single portions. That way, my grandson can heat one up for his lunch.

I once put a hot pot straight in the fridge. The lid popped right off! Now I always let it cool. This keeps your fridge safe and your soup fresh.

Batch cooking like this saves you time on busy nights. It means a warm meal is always close by. A little planning makes your whole week easier.

Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Soup Troubles

Is your soup too thick? The rice soaks up the broth over time. Just add a splash of water or broth when you reheat it.

I remember when my veggies were still crunchy. I did not cook them long enough. Softening them first makes the soup taste sweeter.

If the flavor seems a bit flat, add a pinch more salt. Salt helps all the other flavors wake up. This small step makes a big difference.

Knowing these fixes builds your cooking confidence. You learn that small mistakes are easy to correct. Good food is within your reach.

Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Soup Questions, Answered

Q: Is this soup gluten-free? A: Yes, it is! Just check your chicken broth label to be sure.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Absolutely. The flavors get even better the next day.

Q: What if I don’t have rotisserie chicken? A: Leftover cooked turkey works wonderfully too.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: You can! Use a very large stockpot for this.

Q: Any other tips? A: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end is lovely. Fun fact: My grandma called lemon juice her “flavor fairy.”

Which tip will you try first?

With Love From My Kitchen

I hope this soup brings warmth to your table. It is a hug in a bowl. I have made it for my family for many years.

I would love to see your creation. Share a picture of your cozy meal. It makes me so happy to see your cooking.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking!

—Grace Ellington.