Mom's Chicken and Rice Soup (2024)

There’s nothing quite like diving into a big, cozy bowl of mom’s chicken and rice soup, is there? It’s the kind of meal that wraps you up in warmth from the inside out, perfect for those days when you just need a little comfort food. Whether you’re looking to feed a hungry family or just craving something soothing, this soup hits the spot. Simple to whip up and packed with wholesome goodness, it’s a classic that never fails to please. So, grab your spoon, and let’s get ready to stir up some coziness that’ll make your kitchen the heartwarming center of your home.

A big bowl of chicken and rice soup is always delicious with a generous slice of bread for dipping – or garlic bread – and a fresh salad for added greens.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to make, and perfect for cooks of all levels.
  • Easily adaptable with different ingredients to fit your taste or dietary needs.
  • Adjust the thickness to your liking by simply altering the amount of broth.
  • The combination of chicken, rice, and vegetables is hearty and so satisfying.
Mom's Chicken and Rice Soup (1)

Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe

This soup marries the tender, savory chunks of chicken with the soft, comforting grains of rice, creating a delightful texture in every spoonful. The broth, rich and aromatic with a blend of herbs, envelops the sweetness of carrots and the slight crunch of celery. It’s a symphony of flavors and textures, perfectly balanced and deeply satisfying.

Rice Options for Chicken and Rice Soup

You can really use any rice you prefer in this soup. Whole grain rices take longer to cook than white rice. If you intend to use a whole grain rice, make sure to taste test before calling it done. With the longer cooking times, if the rice absorbs too much liquid for your liking, just add more chicken broth.

Brown rice will need to cook for approximately 50-60 minutes.

Wild rice will need to cook for approximately 40-45 minutes.

Chicken Options

This recipe primarily uses boneless, skinless chicken breasts. However, it’s flexible enough to accommodate various types of chicken with slight adjustments:

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs:

  • Require a longer cooking time of 30 to 40 minutes.
  • Adjust when you add the rice to match the extended simmering time, making them ideal for brown or wild rice due to their longer cooking periods.

Leftover, Rotisserie, or Pre-Cooked Chicken:

  • Skip the initial chicken cooking step and begin by sautéing the vegetables.
  • Add the precooked chicken during the last 5 minutes of simmering, ensuring it’s heated through as the vegetables soften and the rice finishes cooking.

Troubleshooting

  • If the soup is too thick, gradually add more broth until you reach your desired consistency.
  • For soup that’s too thin, allow it to simmer a bit longer until some of the liquid reduces.
  • If the rice isn’t fully cooked, extend the simmering time, checking frequently until it’s tender.

Tips From the Chef

  • Shred the chicken finely for a more consistent texture throughout the soup.
  • Adjust salt and pepper at the end of cooking to perfect the flavor profile.
  • Sauté the vegetables until they’re just softened to bring out their natural sweetness.
Mom's Chicken and Rice Soup (2)

When is chicken and rice soup ready?

  • The chicken should be fully cooked and easy to shred.
  • Rice should be tender, not mushy.
  • Vegetables should be soft but not falling apart.
  • The soup should have a rich aroma and a golden color.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Leftovers: This soup is best enjoyed fresh, as the rice will continue to absorb liquid over time. For those expecting leftovers, opting for brown or wild rice is advisable. These varieties tend to become less mushy than white rice when reheated. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days.

Freezing: Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it into freezer-safe storage bags. For convenience, you can portion the soup into quart-size bags for individual servings or use gallon-size bags for family portions. Seal the bags, then lay them flat in the freezer to facilitate easier thawing and stacking.

Reheating: Warm the soup in a saucepan over medium-low heat until thoroughly heated. If the soup has thickened, add additional chicken broth to achieve the desired consistency.

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25 mins

30 Minute Taco Soup

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Watchthe video belowwhereRachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, FacebookWatch,orour FacebookPage,or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.

Mom's Chicken and Rice Soup (2024)

FAQs

Will chicken soup go bad if left out overnight? ›

Food should not be at room temperature for more than two hours. Shallow containers or small amounts of hot food can be placed directly in the refrigerator or rapidly chilled in an ice or cold water bath before refrigerating. Cover foods to retain moisture and prevent them from picking up odors from other foods.

How many calories are in chicken rice soup? ›

Chicken Rice Soup (1 cup) contains 7.2g total carbs, 6.4g net carbs, 1.9g fat, 3.5g protein, and 60 calories.

Why does chicken soup always make you feel better? ›

The soup contained a wide range of vegetables, including sweet potatoes, parsnips, turnips, and celery. Organizers found that chicken soup provided a mild anti-inflammatory effect—one that could help mitigate infections in the upper-respiratory area, such as the common cold.

Do you cook rice before adding to soup? ›

Can you put uncooked rice in soup? Yes – uncooked rice is best to add into soup because it soaks up the flavour of the broth, making it extra tasty!

How do I know if my soup is spoiled? ›

Check the smell: If the soup smells sour or has an off-putting odor, it's a sign that bacteria has started to grow and it's no longer safe to eat. Look for mold: If you see any mold growing on the surface of the soup, it's definitely time to throw it out.

Can I reheat soup that was left out overnight? ›

So, yeah: Toss that soup that sat out overnight. Now, to the question of whether or not boiling it will kill off these bugs -- that might be technically true, but it comes with a big caveat. To be completely safe, you'll have to boil the soup vigorously for 10 minutes.

Is rice soup good for you? ›

Rice soup, or kanji, also contains a variety of healthy nutrients that are beneficial for the body. Here are some of the key nutrients found in rice soup: Carbohydrates: Rice is the main ingredient in rice soup and is a good source of carbohydrates, which provide energy to the body.

Is chicken soup healthy? ›

All those bits of carrot, celery, and onion commonly found in chicken noodle soup are a great source of vitamins C and K, as well as other antioxidants and minerals. “Not only does this help build a healthy immune system to fight off viruses, it also helps your body recover from illness more quickly,” Allonen says.

How much protein is in chicken and rice soup? ›

High in Protein – Filled with lean chicken breasts, this soup contains 25 grams of protein per serving. Made in One Pot – This stovetop recipe requires minimal preparation and cleanup.

Why do people eat soup when they don't feel good? ›

Chicken soup is also a rich source of fluid and electrolytes, which are helpful if you're at risk of dehydration due to diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, or fever. The soup's warmth may help reduce congestion , as hot or spicy liquids can be helpful for this.

What is the best broth to drink when sick? ›

Bone broth serves as a great way to replenish the fluids that you're losing, while also providing your body with valuable electrolytes from the sodium in the broth. These electrolytes will also help you absorb the water more easily.

Why does chicken soup make me sleepy? ›

As it does with turkey, the body uses tryptophan from chicken to make melatonin—which can help you rest—and serotonin, the chemical that signals your nerves and makes you feel happy and at ease. Both of these are reasons chicken soup is associated with comfort food: you literally feel a physiological sense of comfort.

What is the best rice to use in soup? ›

Long grain white rice: Be sure to use long grain white rice like jasmine rice or basmati rice, vs a short grain rice like arborio rice or sushi rice. You CAN use brown rice, but you'll need to simmer it for much longer, and use more broth.

Can you throw uncooked rice into soup? ›

Adding uncooked rice to a soup, stew, or casserole can stretch your meals farther. Add 1 cup uncooked rice and two cups of broth or water to your recipe before cooking. The rice will soak up the broth or water as it cooks on the stove top or in the oven.

How do I thicken chicken and rice soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute.

How long does chicken soup last without refrigeration? ›

For best safety and quality, plan to eat refrigerated soup within 3 to 4 days or freeze it. And avoid letting soup set at room temperature for more than TWO hours. Don't put a large pot of hot soup directly into your refrigerator.

How long until chicken soup goes bad? ›

A general rule of thumb is that soup can be stored in the refrigerator for about three days, but you should always taste your dish before deciding to reheat. A clear, vegetable-based soup with some acidity, such as tomatoes, may last longer. Chicken soup usually lasts three to five days.

Is cooked chicken okay left out overnight? ›

Because cooked chicken isn't supposed to be left out very long. “It is recommended that one refrigerates or freezes cooked chicken two hours after cooking,” Martin Bucknavage, M.S., instructor and senior food safety extension associate at the Penn State University Department of food science, tells Parade.

Can you leave soup in a crockpot overnight? ›

Today's programmable slow cookers often come with the ability to cook food for up to 24 hours, as well as automatic warming settings that can stay on for just as long.

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