The Coziest Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe for Cold Days

Chilly evenings call for a heartwarming chicken and rice soup that wraps you in comfort like a soft blanket.

Memories of grandmother’s kitchen drift through my mind when stirring this delightful blend of tender chicken and fluffy rice.

Warm broth carries gentle flavors that dance between rich cream and delicate herbs.

Hearty ingredients merge into a soul-soothing mixture promising instant satisfaction.

Each spoonful brings layers of texture and depth that feel like a culinary embrace.

My simple recipe transforms basic ingredients into something magical and nourishing.

You won’t believe how easily this soup comes together with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.

Let’s create a bowl of pure comfort that will make everyone at the table smile.

How To Make Creamy Chicken And Rice Soup Quickly

Step 1: Kickstart the Flavor Base

Heat a generous pot over medium flame. Swirl together butter and olive oil until they dance and mingle, creating a golden foundation for your soup.

Step 2: Sauté Veggie Trio

• Crisp onions
• Bright orange carrots
• Tender celery stalks

Stir and cook these vegetable companions for 5 minutes, allowing them to soften and release their sweet aromatics.

Step 3: Spice Up the Mixture

• Minced garlic
• Kosher salt
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• Fragrant dried thyme
• Warm paprika

Let these spices sizzle and bloom for about 30 seconds, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

Step 4: Welcome the Chicken

Introduce shredded or diced chicken to the pot, stirring gently to coat with the flavorful base. Cook until the chicken begins to turn golden and absorb the surrounding seasonings.

Step 5: Pour in Liquid Magic

Add chicken broth and water, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. This is where the soup starts to come alive with rich, comforting flavors.

Step 6: Rice Romance

Sprinkle in uncooked white rice, allowing it to slowly absorb the broth and become tender and plump.

Step 7: Creamy Transformation

Stir in heavy cream or half-and-half, transforming the soup into a luxuriously smooth and velvety creation.

Step 8: Final Flourish

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Let the soup simmer until the rice is perfectly cooked and the flavors have melded into a harmonious blend.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls, garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired, and savor every comforting spoonful.

Tips For A Creamier Chicken And Rice Soup

• Sauté Vegetables Softly: Cook onions, carrots, and celery gently to release their natural sweetness without burning, creating a rich flavor base for your soup.
• Spice Bloom Technique: Toast garlic and dried herbs briefly to intensify their aromatic qualities, unlocking deeper taste profiles in just seconds.
• Low and Slow Simmering: Maintain a gentle heat when cooking the soup to prevent separation and ensure the creamy texture remains smooth and velvety.
• Customize Protein Options: Swap chicken with rotisserie, leftover grilled chicken, or plant-based alternatives like tofu for versatile meal adaptations.
• Storage Smart Tip: Cool soup completely before refrigerating, and store broth-based soups separately from rice to prevent soggy grains and maintain optimal texture.

How To Store Creamy Chicken And Rice Soup Safely

• Refrigerate leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Cool the soup completely before storing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Reheat gently on the stovetop, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent scorching.
• Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for maximum 3 months, ensuring you leave slight space at the top for expansion.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm thoroughly before serving.
• Ceramic or glass containers work best for maintaining soup quality and preventing unwanted flavor absorption from plastic storage.

Perfect Pairings For Creamy Chicken And Rice Soup

• Enhance Comfort with Chardonnay: This creamy chicken and rice soup pairs beautifully with a buttery Chardonnay. Its smooth, oak-aged notes complement the soup's rich, velvety texture and balance the savory vegetable medley.
• Serve with Crusty Sourdough: Grab a warm slice of tangy sourdough bread to dip into the soup. The bread's crisp exterior and soft interior create a delightful contrast with the creamy liquid, soaking up all those delicious herb-infused flavors.
• Add Green Apple Salad: Create a light side salad with crisp green apples, mixed greens, and a light vinaigrette. The salad's refreshing acidity cuts through the soup's creaminess, providing a bright, palate-cleansing companion to the hearty dish.
• Complement with Roasted Almonds: Sprinkle toasted, sliced almonds on top of the soup for an unexpected crunch. These nutty morsels add texture and a subtle earthiness that enhances the soup's delicate herb profile.

Try New Flavors In Creamy Chicken And Rice Soup

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Rice Soup: Replace thyme with cumin and add diced green chiles for a zesty kick. Sprinkle in some chili powder to boost heat and depth.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Rice Soup: Swap paprika for oregano and add chopped fresh parsley. Include diced tomatoes and a splash of lemon juice for bright Mediterranean flavors.
• Creamy Mushroom Chicken Rice Soup: Incorporate sliced cremini or shiitake mushrooms during vegetable sauteing. Mix in a touch of white wine and fresh thyme for an earthy, rich profile.
• Asian-Inspired Ginger Chicken Rice Soup: Replace thyme with fresh grated ginger and add a dash of soy sauce. Garnish with sliced green onions and a drizzle of sesame oil for authentic Asian touches.

Your Creamy Chicken And Rice Soup FAQs

• Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this soup?

Absolutely! Rotisserie or leftover grilled chicken works perfectly. Just shred or chop it and add it during the last few minutes of cooking to prevent overcooking.

• Is this soup gluten-free?

Not by default. To make it gluten-free, use cornstarch instead of flour for thickening and ensure your broth is gluten-free. Always check ingredient labels carefully.

• How can I make the soup more creamy?

For extra creaminess, add a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of cream cheese at the end of cooking. Stir until it’s fully incorporated for a luxurious texture.

• What if I want to add more vegetables?

Great idea! Diced zucchini, spinach, or frozen peas work wonderfully. Add them with the rice to ensure they cook perfectly without becoming mushy.

Why Creamy Chicken And Rice Soup Hits The Spot

• Whip Up Effortless Comfort: This soup brings restaurant-quality flavor with minimal cooking skills, perfect for home cooks of all levels who want a delicious meal without complicated techniques.
• Warm Up in Minutes: Ready in under 30 minutes, this creamy chicken and rice soup delivers quick nourishment during busy weeknights or chilly evenings when you crave something hearty and satisfying.
• Customize Your Bowl: Incredibly versatile recipe allows easy substitutions like using different vegetables, swapping chicken types, or adding extra herbs to match your family's taste preferences and pantry ingredients.
• Cozy Family Favorite: Packed with tender chicken, soft rice, and nutritious vegetables, this soup appeals to both kids and adults, making it an ideal one-pot meal that brings everyone together around the dinner table.

What You’ll Need For Creamy Chicken And Rice Soup

• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic soup mirepoix for deep flavor foundation, adds sweetness and texture.
• Garlic: Provides robust, aromatic base with intense flavor profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Thyme, Paprika: Essential seasoning blend for layered, warm taste.

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that adds substance and classic soup texture, choose boneless and skinless for easiest preparation.
• Chicken Broth: Primary liquid component, rich and savory base for soup's overall character.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Creates initial flavor layer and helps sauté vegetables, provides smooth cooking surface.
• Rice: Adds heartiness and helps thicken soup, long-grain white rice works best for consistent texture.
• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, creamy finish, provides rich and smooth mouthfeel.

Creamy Chicken And Rice Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Comforting chicken and rice soup brings warmth from grandma’s kitchen, blending tender chicken, hearty rice, and rich broth. Delicious spoonfuls promise pure satisfaction for hungry souls craving home-style nourishment.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or boiled)
• 4 cups chicken broth

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Dairy, Grains, and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) olive oil
• 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) butter
• 1 cup uncooked rice (white, brown, or wild rice)
• ½ teaspoon (½ tsp) salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon (½ tsp) black pepper
• ½ teaspoon (½ tsp) thyme
• ½ teaspoon (½ tsp) paprika (optional)
• 1 cup milk or half-and-half
• ½ cup heavy cream (for extra creaminess)
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
• 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) flour or cornstarch + 2 tablespoons (2 tbsp) water (for thickening, if needed)
• 2 tablespoons (2 tbsp) fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Warm a spacious cooking vessel over moderate heat, allowing butter to melt and blend with olive oil, creating a flavorful base.
2. Introduce diced onions, carrots, and celery into the aromatic mixture, gently sautéing until vegetables transform into a tender, translucent medley.
3. Sprinkle minced garlic, ground salt, cracked pepper, dried thyme, and smoky paprika into the vegetable blend, stirring briefly to awaken their intense aromatics and release their essential oils.
4. Incorporate shredded chicken, stirring to coat the meat with the herb-infused vegetable foundation, ensuring even distribution of flavors.
5. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, creating a luxurious liquid base that will envelop the ingredients in a silky, comforting embrace.
6. Gradually add uncooked rice, allowing it to simmer and absorb the rich, seasoned liquid while gradually expanding and softening.
7. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, covering the pot and allowing the soup to develop depth, stirring occasionally to prevent rice from sticking and ensure even cooking.
8. Verify the rice’s tenderness and the soup’s consistency, adjusting seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
9. Remove from heat and let the soup rest momentarily, allowing flavors to meld and intensify before serving in warm bowls.

Notes

• Choose a heavy-bottomed pot to distribute heat evenly and prevent burning ingredients during sautéing.
• Use fresh vegetables for maximum flavor, ensuring they’re finely chopped to cook quickly and blend seamlessly into the soup.
• Control the heat when adding garlic to prevent burning, which can create a bitter taste and compromise the overall dish’s delicate flavor profile.
• Experiment with herb substitutions like rosemary or oregano if thyme isn’t available, maintaining the soup’s aromatic complexity while personalizing the recipe.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 400 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg