This homemade Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup recipe is a warm, healthy comfort food recipe perfect for a chilly fall or winter day! Tender chicken, hearty veggies, and a creamy broth combine on the stovetop for a nourishing meal that can be prepared ahead of time and stored for later.
Heat the butter and olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the celery, carrots, and onions, and sauté until they’re tender. Then, stir in the garlic, and continue to cook just until it is tender.
Add the flour to the pot, and cook just until it is lightly browned.
Pour the broth into the pot, and stir until the flour is dissolved. Add the oregano, thyme, salt, black pepper, and bay leaves.
Add the chicken and rice, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and let the mixture cook.
Remove the chicken, and shred it with two forks or slice it into bite-sized pieces.
Squeeze the lemon juice into the soup, adjust the seasonings as needed, and add a sprinkle of fresh parsley.