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the best hearty chicken and rice soup recipe (easy!)

The Best Hearty Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe (Easy!)

5 from 4 votes
Warm up this fall with a cozy chicken and rice soup that’s hearty, comforting, and perfect for chilly evenings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course, Soup
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 3 stalks celery thinly sliced
  • 4 carrots thinly sliced
  • 10 cups chicken broth or homemade stock I use Better Than Bouillon Roasted Chicken
  • 3 chicken breasts cooked and diced (rotisserie chicken or shredded chicken work well, too)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 3 cups cooked rice
  • Optional: a squeeze of lemon juice or lime juice for serving

Method
 

  1. Melt the butter over medium heat in a large pot or dutch oven. Add chopped onion, sliced celery, and sliced carrots. Cook until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, about 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Pour in chicken broth or homemade stock. Add salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat.
  3. Stir in diced chicken breasts. Simmer for 10 minutes, letting flavors blend together.
  4. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the cooked rice and fresh parsley. Simmer just until everything is heated through.
  5. Ladle hot soup into bowls to serve. If desired, squeeze in a little lemon juice or lime juice to brighten the flavor.