This fabulous homemade Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup is not just any soup! It’s the superstar of warm, healthy comfort food, tailor-made for those chilly fall or winter days. Tender chicken and robust veggies are enveloped in a lusciously creamy broth for a meal that’s not just nourishing but practically a work of art. And guess what? You can whip it up in advance, making it the ultimate prep-and-save-for-later masterpiece.

Overhead image of a bowl of chicken and rice soup with a spoon dipped in.

Table of Contents

Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup So Comforting You’ll Be Licking the Bowl 

We love homemade soup recipes when the weather gets cold! With lots of unique options like our slow cooker Moroccan harira soup, spicy tomato soup, and roasted red pepper and cauliflower soup, there is no shortage of recipes to keep us from getting bored. 

However, when it comes to satisfying meals the whole family will enjoy, you can never go wrong with a classic chicken and rice soup recipe. This recipe is like the superhero of soups! It’s ideal for kicking colds to the curb, warming up post-snowball fight adventures, and, of course, whipping up a massive batch for the ultimate meal prep game.

Not only is it delicious, but there’s so much to love about our chicken and rice soup recipe! For instance, it: 

  • Uses simple, nutritious ingredients. 
  • Cooks in a single pot on the stove. 
  • Is a great way to utilize leftovers. 
  • Stores and freezes well so you can cook once and eat for days! 

What’s in a Homemade Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe? 

This recipe might have rich, complex flavors, but the ingredients used to make them are simple. You probably have most of them on hand! 

  • Vegetables – Celery, carrots, onions, and garlic add flavor, texture, and nutrients to the soup. 
  • Butter – Unsalted butter is best and helps add a rich, luscious flavor to the veggies and broth. 
  • Olive Oil – Combines with the butter to help sautée the veggies. 
  • Flour – Regular all-purpose flour helps thicken the broth. 
  • Broth – Use low-sodium chicken broth. Vegetable broth can be substituted. 
  • Herbs and Spices – Oregano, thyme, salt, black pepper, and bay leaves create a savory, herbaceous taste that’s better than any chicken soup you’ll find in a can! 
  • Chicken – We use boneless skinless chicken breasts, but chicken thighs can be substituted. 
  • Rice – Uncooked long-grain white rice works best. 
  • Lemon Juice – This helps brighten the soup, creating a vibrant, well-rounded flavor. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is best. 
Chopped carrots, onions, and celery in a soup pot with butter and oil.
Vegetables, broth, seasonings, and bay leaves in a soup pot.

How to Make Homemade Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe: Comfort in a Bowl

This soup is a pretty hands-off recipe with no pureeing or intense stirring required. Once the veggies are chopped and the mixture is combined, you can just let it simmer on the stove! 

  1. Sauté the Veggies. 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. 
  2. Brown the Flour. Add the flour to the pot, and cook just until it is lightly browned. 
  3. Add the Broth. Pour the broth into the pot, and stir until the flour is dissolved. Add the oregano, thyme, salt, black pepper, and bay leaves. 
  4. Simmer. 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 until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit and the rice is tender. 
  5. Shred. Remove the chicken, and shred it with two forks or slice it into bite-sized pieces. 
  6. Season. Squeeze the lemon juice into the soup, adjust the seasonings as needed, and add a sprinkle of fresh parsley. 

Serving Suggestions

This creamy chicken and rice soup can be served on its own as a complete meal. However, it also pairs fabulously with sides and appetizers like: 

A ladle lifting a portion of chicken and rice soup from a pot.

How to Store and Reheat

This homemade chicken and rice soup is one of our favorite meal prep recipes! It makes a big batch, is easy to double, and stores super well when you follow the steps below. 

  • To Store: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container, and keep them stored in the fridge for up to three days. 
  • To Freeze: Once cooled, leftovers can be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the freezer for up to three months. 
  • To Reheat: Allow your soup to thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, heat individual portions in microwave-sage bowls. Or, warm it over medium heat in a pot on the stove. 

Common Questions About this Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe

Should I cook the rice before adding it to the soup? 

Nope! It will cook as the soup boils. If preferred, you can cook it separately and add it to the soup at the end of cooking. 

Can I use cooked chicken? 

Yes, add it to the soup at the end of cooking just long enough to heat through. 

What is in chicken soup that makes you feel better? 

Like turkey, chicken soup is rich in tryptophan, the chemical that makes us feel sleepy and relaxed. 

What is the best rice to use for creamy chicken and rice soup? 

We prefer to use long-grain white rice like Jasmine or Basmati because it tends to hold its structure and does not become mushy. However, any rice such as brown rice or wild rice can be used. We recommend avoiding short-grain rice if possible as it’s most likely to become soft!

More Easy Soup Recipes

Looking for more homemade soup recipes? Get ready to dazzle those taste buds because the scrumptious choices below are practically begging to be devoured! 

A bowl of creamy chicken and rice soup with a spoon sticking out.

Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe

5 from 32 votes
Author: Food Dolls
Servings: 6 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
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Skip the store-bought options, and learn how to make an easy creamy chicken and rice soup recipe in about 30 minutes on the stovetop instead!

Ingredients  

  • 3 sticks celery finely chopped
  • 2 medium carrots peeled and finely chopped
  • 1/2 medium onion chopped
  • 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1.5 pounds uncooked chicken breasts
  • 3/4 cup uncooked white rice rinsed and drained
  • 1 squeeze of lemon juice
  • 4 Tablespoons fresh parsley chopped

Instructions 

  • In a large soup pot, sauté the finely chopped celery, carrots, and onions with the butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables become tender.
  • Stir in the minced garlic, and cook for about 30 seconds or until fragrant. Then, add the flour. Continue to cook for another minute or until the flour is lightly browned.
  • Pour in the chicken broth, and stir well until the flour has dissolved into the broth. Add the oregano, thyme, salt, black pepper, and bay leaves to the pot.
  • Place the uncooked chicken breasts and washed rice into the pot. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the rice is tender.
  • Remove the chicken breasts from the pot and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Return the chicken pieces to the soup.
  • Squeeze a bit of lemon juice into the soup to brighten the flavors. Adjust the taste with salt and pepper, if needed.
  • Just before serving, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the soup for added freshness and color.
  • Ladle the chicken and rice soup into bowls and enjoy!
  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Equipment

1 Large Soup Pot

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Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 1410mg | Potassium: 595mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 3745IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this recipe?Please leave a comment!

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Meet Alia & Radwa

Welcome to Food Dolls! We’re so glad you found us. We are Alia and Radwa, sisters who want to share simple and easy recipes with you. We hope you find recipes here that you enjoy making as much as we do! Learn more about us!

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5 from 32 votes (21 ratings without comment)

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33 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This soup is amazing! I have made it multiple times already and literally CRAVE it, my mouth starts to water thinking of it. Making it again right now!!

    Reply

    1. Hi Missy! We haven’t tested it but think it would work. You’ll just want to sauté the veggies before adding them to the slow cooker. We’d love to know how it turns out if you do give it a try!

      Xo,
      Alia & Radwa

      Reply

  5. 5 stars
    My whole family love this soup – comfort food in a bowl and just want you want it feeling under the weather

    Reply

    1. Hi Joan! The nutrition information is always at the bottom of the recipe card. 😊

      Xo,
      Alia & Radwa

      Reply

    1. You could, but the soup would be pretty runny. We would substitute a gluten-free flour instead. 😊

      Xo,
      Alia & Radwa

      Reply

    1. We’re so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for trying it out and taking the time to leave a review, Susan!

      Xo,
      Alia & Radwa

      Reply

  10. 5 stars
    Delicious! I have made this twice in the last 2 weeks. It is so good, easy and just the right comfort food for a cold night or if you are fighting a cold. I made it last week for my son who had the flu. I made it for dinner tonight just because it is so yummy. Love how quickly this comes together too! Thank you!

    Reply

    1. We’re so happy to hear this! Thank you for trying it out, Renee. We hope your son is feeling better!

      Xo,
      Alia & Radwa

      Reply

  12. 5 stars
    Soooo good and really easy. Only change I made was a pinch of herbs of Provence instead of oregano and thyme. Delicious. I just had 2 bowls.

    Reply

  15. 5 stars
    This soup is delicious! I made it for last night’s dinner. Had all ingredients on hand – so easy to prepare. Hubs not a big fan of soups with rice so next time will substitute with orzo? Definitely will make this again. Loved how the rice & small amount of flour made it creamy! This recipe is a keeper! Thanks Food Dolls

    Reply

  16. Hi Girls!

    Just made this soup for our dinner this evening. It was fantastic! We all liked it, especially the guys!! I added some water to my soup make it not so thick. Still, it was a great soup! Will make it again. Thanks!

    Reply