Chicken and Rice Soup
A comforting and hearty dish perfect for cold days, filled with tender chicken, vegetables, and soft rice.
Ingredients
For the soup base
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter (or more oil)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 medium carrots, halved then cut into 1 cm / 2/5" slices Quarter if really thick
- 3 ribs celery, cut into 1 cm / 2/5" slices
- 3 tsp Vegeta stock powder Or 2 x vegetable or chicken bouillon cubes, or 2 tsp powder
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp dried thyme (optional) Add if desired
- ¼ tsp black pepper, finely ground
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 4 cups water
- 600 g bone-in, skinless chicken thighs Approximately 4 x 150g/5oz
- 1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked
- Salt, adjust to taste
- 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley (optional) For garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Place oil and butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic, cooking for about 5 minutes until the onion is translucent.
- Add the carrots and celery and stir for 1 minute.
- Stir in stock powder, dried parsley, thyme (if using), black pepper, chicken broth, and water. Mix well, then add the chicken.
- Cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer on medium-low heat for 30 minutes, making sure it’s bubbling gently. Skim off some foam to keep the broth clear.
- After 30 minutes, remove the lid and add the rice. Stir it in, cover, and let it simmer for another 15 minutes.
- Turn off the stove. Take the chicken out into a large bowl. Shred the chicken with two forks, discard the bones, and stir the chicken back into the soup.
- Mix in half of the chopped parsley, taste the soup, and add salt if needed. Serve hot, garnished with extra parsley if desired.
Notes
Allow leftovers to cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. For extra flavor, use homemade chicken broth. Feel free to add any vegetables like peas or corn. To make ahead, cook chicken and vegetables first; add rice on serving day to prevent it from getting too soft.