Description
Get ready to cozy up with a bowl of this comforting Homemade Chicken and Rice Soup. Perfect as a quick dinner, healthy lunch, or a soothing remedy for cold days, this easy recipe is packed with shredded chicken, fresh vegetables, hearty rice, and a bright lemony twist. It’s one of the best dinner ideas when you need something wholesome and soul-warming. Whether you’re meal prepping or feeding the family, this easy recipe is a go-to for both flavor and nutrition. Ideal for anyone looking for quick meals, food ideas for sick days, or just a comforting classic.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion diced
3 cloves garlic minced
3 carrots peeled and sliced
2 celery stalks diced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and black pepper to taste
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups cooked shredded chicken
1 cup long-grain white rice
1 bay leaf
1 lemon sliced and juiced
2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, garlic, carrots, and celery and cook for 5–6 minutes until softened.
2. Stir in thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper and cook for about 1 minute to release flavor.
3. Pour in chicken broth and add the bay leaf then bring to a gentle boil.
4. Stir in the uncooked rice, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 18–20 minutes.
5. Add shredded chicken and cook another 5–7 minutes until heated through.
6. Turn off heat, stir in lemon juice, adjust seasoning, and garnish with parsley and lemon slices before serving.
Notes
Use rotisserie chicken to save time and boost flavor.
Rinse rice before adding to prevent cloudy broth.
Add spinach or kale at the end for extra nutrients.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: easy recipe, chicken soup, dinner ideas, healthy soup, comfort food