Introduction
Have you ever noticed how a simple pot of simmering broth has the power to pull everyone into the kitchen without saying a single word? It is a quiet magic that happens in our home in Bend. The windows fog up against the Oregon chill, and the scent of mirepoix softening in butter begins to drift down the hallway. This Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe is more than just a comfort food soup recipe to me. It is a sensory map of my life with Ethan and our two kids. When I think about how to make creamy chicken and rice soup, I do not just think about the long grain white rice or the chicken broth. I think about the many Tuesday nights where we sat around the table, the steam rising between us, as we traded stories about the day. This homemade chicken rice soup is a gentle reminder that even on the most chaotic days, a one pot chicken rice soup can provide the landing pad we all need. It is thick, velvety, and deeply soul satisfying. Whether you are looking for a cold remedy or just family dinner ideas, this easy creamy chicken and rice soup is the answer to the question of what to cook when you need a hug in a bowl.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
- Ingredients for Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
- How to Make Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
- Pro Tips & Variations
- Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup Serving Suggestions
- Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup Storage & Reheating
- FAQ about Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
- Final Thoughts
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
There is a specific reason why this best chicken soup recipe stays on our permanent rotation. First and foremost, it is exceptionally kid friendly. My children can be discerning critics, but the creamy texture hides a wealth of nourishing vegetables. This is a healthy creamy chicken soup that does not sacrifice flavor for nutrition. It is also incredibly versatile. You can use rotisserie chicken convenience if you are short on time, or simmer chicken thighs from scratch if you have a slow Sunday afternoon. Unlike my chicken and dumpling soup easy comfort food recipe, which feels like a heavy blanket, this rice version feels a bit lighter while staying just as cozy. It is a one pot meal, meaning less cleanup and more time spent with the people you love. You will love how the fresh dill and fresh lemon juice brighten up the richness of the heavy cream. It is a balanced masterpiece of creamy soup recipes. This dish is also perfect for meal prep soup recipes because the flavors actually deepen as it sits. If you enjoy a thick consistency, you might find it rivals my creamy veggie pot pie soup recipe guide in its sheer indulgence. It is a weeknight dinner savior that feels like a weekend luxury. Ultimately, you will love it because it is honest food. No fancy tricks, just whole ingredients and minimal waste. It is the definition of modern comfort food that focuses on connection over perfection.
Ingredients for Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
Creating homemade chicken soup starts with a solid foundation of aromatics and quality liquids. Here is what you will need for this creamy chicken soup:
- Chicken: 1.5 lbs of chicken breast or thighs. I often use leftover chicken or a shredded rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Rice: 1 cup of long grain white rice. You can also use jasmine rice or basmati rice for a floral aroma.
- The Holy Trinity: 1 large onion, 3 carrots, and 2 stalks of celery, all finely diced.
- Fat: 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter for sautéing.
- Thickener: 1/3 cup of all purpose flour to create a light roux.
- Liquid: 6 to 8 cups of high quality chicken broth or chicken stock.
- Cream: 1 cup of heavy cream or half and half. For a dairy free version, coconut milk works beautifully.
- Aromatics: 4 cloves of minced garlic, 2 bay leaves, and dried thyme.
- The Finish: A handful of fresh dill and a squeeze of lemon juice to cut through the richness.
- Seasoning: Salt and black pepper to taste. I like a lot of cracked pepper in mine.
How to Make Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large Dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add your diced onion, carrots, and celery. Listen for that gentle sizzle. Cook them until the onions are translucent and the carrots begin to soften, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until the kitchen smells incredible.
- Build the Base: Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 2 minutes. This cooks out the raw flour taste and will help achieve that creamy chicken and rice soup from scratch texture we love. Slowly pour in 2 cups of the chicken broth, whisking as you go to ensure there are no lumps.
- Add Liquids and Rice: Pour in the remaining broth. Add your dried thyme, bay leaves, and the uncooked rice. If you are using raw chicken breasts, add them into the pot now as well. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Simmer to Perfection: Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes. This is when the rice soup recipes magic happens. The rice will absorb the savory broth and swell properly. If you started with raw chicken, remove it once it reaches 165 degrees, shred it with two forks, and return it to the pot.
- The Creamy Finish: Stir in your heavy cream or half and half. If you used a pre cooked rotisserie chicken, add it now. Let everything warm through for another 5 minutes. You will see the soup transform into a luxurious, pale gold color.
- Brighten the Flavors: This is the secret step inspired by The Modern Proper. Stir in the fresh dill and a tablespoon of lemon juice. Taste it. Does it need more salt? A bit more pepper? Trust your palate. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
Pro Tips & Variations
Every kitchen is a workshop of sorts, and I encourage you to make this homemade chicken soup recipe your own. If you are following a specific lifestyle, here are some ways to adapt. For a creamy chicken and rice soup gluten free version, simply swap the all purpose flour for a 1-to-1 gluten free baking flour or use a cornstarch slurry at the end. If you are looking for a low carb or creamy chicken and rice soup keto alternative, replace the rice with cauliflower rice or even sliced mushrooms. For those who love a creamy chicken and wild rice soup, keep in mind that wild rice takes much longer to cook, so you may want to cook it separately before adding it to the broth. If you want more greens, adding spinach or kale at the very end provides a beautiful color and extra vitamins. For a bit of heat, follow the lead of my creamy chicken enchilada soup recipe and add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce. You can also vary the herbs. While I love the creamy chicken and rice soup with dill, fresh parsley or rosemary can offer a more earthy, traditional chicken soup recipe easy profile. For those who love a thick texture without heavy cream, stirring in a bit of cream cheese or even blended white beans can create that creamy chicken soup recipe feel without the liquid gold.
Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup Serving Suggestions
A bowl of comfort food recipes like this deserves a great companion. I usually serve this with a loaf of crusty sourdough or my homemade winter minestrone soup recipe family style focaccia. A simple side salad with a bright vinaigrette helps balance the richness of the creamy soup recipe. Since this is a one pot meal, you do not need much else. However, if you are feeding a crowd, a tray of roasted vegetables or a simple fruit salad for the kids makes for a well rounded dinner. I find that a sprinkling of parmesan cheese on top adds a salty depth that Ethan particularly loves. If you want to lean into the grain theme, you can even serve it alongside warm pita bread. The goal is to keep it simple so you can focus on the conversation, not the dishes.
Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup Storage & Reheating
This soup is a freezer friendly champion, but there is one rule. If you plan to freeze it, I recommend cooking the rice separately and adding it to the bowl rather than the pot. Rice tends to soak up all the liquid in the freezer, leaving you with a casserole instead of a soup. Store the soup base in airtight containers for up to 3 months. For the fridge, it will stay fresh for 3 to 4 days. When reheating this creamy chicken and rice soup recipe, you will likely need to add a splash of chicken broth or water, as the rice will continue to absorb liquid as it sits. Heat it gently on the stovetop over low heat to prevent the cream from curdling. It makes for an incredible meal prep lunch the next day at the office.
FAQ about Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
Can I make creamy chicken and rice soup slow cooker style? Yes. You can place the chicken, broth, and vegetables in the crock pot for 6 hours on low. Add the rice in the last hour and stir in the cream and flour slurry at the very end. It is one of the best creamy chicken and rice soup slow cooker crock pot methods for busy families.
What is the best rice for chicken soup? I prefer long grain white rice because it holds its shape. However, jasmine rice adds a lovely fragrance. If you use brown rice, remember it will need about 45 minutes to cook, so plan accordingly.
How do I make this soup without heavy cream? You can use whole milk for a lighter version, or coconut milk for a dairy free option. Another trick mentioned by The Creekside Cook is using a roux made with olive oil and flour to provide thickness without the dairy.
Can I use leftover rice? Absolutely. If you have leftover white rice, simply stir it in at the very end when you add the cream so it does not get mushy.
Final Thoughts
As I ladled the last of this creamy chicken soup into bowls tonight, I watched Jana and Adams argue playfully over who got more carrots, while Ethan hummed along to the radio. It reminded me that the kitchen is the heartbeat of the home. This best creamy chicken and rice soup is not just a collection of ingredients. It is a vessel for gratitude. It teaches us that nourishment comes from both the chicken broth and the hands that prepared it. I hope this easy chicken soup brings a sense of peace to your table as it does to mine. If you enjoyed this recipe, please save it to your Pinterest boards or leave a comment below. I would love to hear about the memories you make over a bowl of this soup. For more cozy ideas, don’t miss my creamy loaded baked potato soup recipe. Until next time, find the connection in your kitchen, one ladle at a time.
Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large Dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add your diced onion, carrots, and celery. Listen for that gentle sizzle. Cook them until the onions are translucent and the carrots begin to soften, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until the kitchen smells incredible.
- Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 2 minutes. This cooks out the raw flour taste and will help achieve that creamy chicken and rice soup from scratch texture we love. Slowly pour in 2 cups of the chicken broth, whisking as you go to ensure there are no lumps.
- Pour in the remaining broth. Add your dried thyme, bay leaves, and the uncooked rice. If you are using raw chicken breasts, add them into the pot now as well. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes. This is when the rice soup recipes magic happens. The rice will absorb the savory broth and swell properly. If you started with raw chicken, remove it once it reaches 165 degrees, shred it with two forks, and return it to the pot.
- Stir in your heavy cream or half and half. If you used a pre cooked rotisserie chicken, add it now. Let everything warm through for another 5 minutes. You will see the soup transform into a luxurious, pale gold color.
- This is the secret step inspired by The Modern Proper. Stir in the fresh dill and a tablespoon of lemon juice. Taste it. Does it need more salt? A bit more pepper? Trust your palate. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
