Mom's Chicken and Rice Soup (2024)

There’s nothing quite like diving into a big, cozy bowl of mom’s chicken and rice soup, is there? It’s the kind of meal that wraps you up in warmth from the inside out, perfect for those days when you just need a little comfort food. Whether you’re looking to feed a hungry family or just craving something soothing, this soup hits the spot. Simple to whip up and packed with wholesome goodness, it’s a classic that never fails to please. So, grab your spoon, and let’s get ready to stir up some coziness that’ll make your kitchen the heartwarming center of your home.

A big bowl of chicken and rice soup is always delicious with a generous slice of bread for dipping – or garlic bread – and a fresh salad for added greens.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to make, and perfect for cooks of all levels.
  • Easily adaptable with different ingredients to fit your taste or dietary needs.
  • Adjust the thickness to your liking by simply altering the amount of broth.
  • The combination of chicken, rice, and vegetables is hearty and so satisfying.
Mom's Chicken and Rice Soup (1)

Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe

This soup marries the tender, savory chunks of chicken with the soft, comforting grains of rice, creating a delightful texture in every spoonful. The broth, rich and aromatic with a blend of herbs, envelops the sweetness of carrots and the slight crunch of celery. It’s a symphony of flavors and textures, perfectly balanced and deeply satisfying.

Rice Options for Chicken and Rice Soup

You can really use any rice you prefer in this soup. Whole grain rices take longer to cook than white rice. If you intend to use a whole grain rice, make sure to taste test before calling it done. With the longer cooking times, if the rice absorbs too much liquid for your liking, just add more chicken broth.

Brown rice will need to cook for approximately 50-60 minutes.

Wild rice will need to cook for approximately 40-45 minutes.

Chicken Options

This recipe primarily uses boneless, skinless chicken breasts. However, it’s flexible enough to accommodate various types of chicken with slight adjustments:

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs:

  • Require a longer cooking time of 30 to 40 minutes.
  • Adjust when you add the rice to match the extended simmering time, making them ideal for brown or wild rice due to their longer cooking periods.

Leftover, Rotisserie, or Pre-Cooked Chicken:

  • Skip the initial chicken cooking step and begin by sautéing the vegetables.
  • Add the precooked chicken during the last 5 minutes of simmering, ensuring it’s heated through as the vegetables soften and the rice finishes cooking.

Troubleshooting

  • If the soup is too thick, gradually add more broth until you reach your desired consistency.
  • For soup that’s too thin, allow it to simmer a bit longer until some of the liquid reduces.
  • If the rice isn’t fully cooked, extend the simmering time, checking frequently until it’s tender.

Tips From the Chef

  • Shred the chicken finely for a more consistent texture throughout the soup.
  • Adjust salt and pepper at the end of cooking to perfect the flavor profile.
  • Sauté the vegetables until they’re just softened to bring out their natural sweetness.
Mom's Chicken and Rice Soup (2)

When is chicken and rice soup ready?

  • The chicken should be fully cooked and easy to shred.
  • Rice should be tender, not mushy.
  • Vegetables should be soft but not falling apart.
  • The soup should have a rich aroma and a golden color.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Leftovers: This soup is best enjoyed fresh, as the rice will continue to absorb liquid over time. For those expecting leftovers, opting for brown or wild rice is advisable. These varieties tend to become less mushy than white rice when reheated. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days.

Freezing: Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it into freezer-safe storage bags. For convenience, you can portion the soup into quart-size bags for individual servings or use gallon-size bags for family portions. Seal the bags, then lay them flat in the freezer to facilitate easier thawing and stacking.

Reheating: Warm the soup in a saucepan over medium-low heat until thoroughly heated. If the soup has thickened, add additional chicken broth to achieve the desired consistency.

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Watchthe video belowwhereRachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, FacebookWatch,orour FacebookPage,or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.

Mom's Chicken and Rice Soup (2024)

FAQs

Mom's Chicken and Rice Soup? ›

Compared with hot water alone, studies show chicken soup is more effective at loosening mucus. The herbs and spices sometimes used in chicken soup, such as pepper and garlic, also loosen mucus. The broth, which contains water and electrolytes, helps with rehydration.

Why does Grandma's chicken soup work when you are sick? ›

Compared with hot water alone, studies show chicken soup is more effective at loosening mucus. The herbs and spices sometimes used in chicken soup, such as pepper and garlic, also loosen mucus. The broth, which contains water and electrolytes, helps with rehydration.

Can you just throw rice in soup? ›

Yes – uncooked rice is best to add into soup because it soaks up the flavour of the broth, making it extra tasty!

Is chicken and rice soup good for stomach flu? ›

Although you can eat white rice on its own to soothe your upset stomach, you can also add chicken to get even more nutrients, or you could add it to your chicken soup if you don't want to use noodles.

How do you add rice to soup without getting soggy? ›

Tip: Adding rice or pasta to soup Cook rice or pasta separately when making a big batch of soup you plan to freeze or eat all week. Only add them when ready to serve. That way the rice won't get mushy and soak up all the broth and the pasta won't get soggy and disintegrate into a million slippery pieces.

What is the best broth to drink when sick? ›

Bone broth serves as a great way to replenish the fluids that you're losing, while also providing your body with valuable electrolytes from the sodium in the broth. These electrolytes will also help you absorb the water more easily.

Does chicken soup really make you feel better when you're sick? ›

The warm broth itself may also help to open up congested nasal and throat passages, which helps to better manage cold and flu symptoms.” Also, chicken soup is an easy way to get important micronutrients, macronutrients, and fluids when you're sick and may not have an appetite for other foods.

What is the best rice to use in soup? ›

The best rice for soup is long-grain rice like basmati, jasmine, or wild rice. These types of rice stay firm and fluffy in soup. Short-grain rice turns mushy and creates a clumpy texture.

Should you rinse rice before adding to soup? ›

As it turns out, rinsing your grains is a key step if you want to make the perfect pot of rice, and that's true whether you're preparing a creamy rice pudding or whipping up a savory chicken and rice soup.

Why should we not throw away the water after cooking rice? ›

As it turns out, that murky water left behind when we're done boiling rice is packed with starch and nutrients, making it a game-changer for cooking. Rice water, like pasta water, can be used to thicken stews (particularly Korean stews like doenjang jjigae) or sauces and add depth of flavor to your dish.

What can flush out a stomach virus? ›

7 Effective Stomach Flu Remedies
  • Drink Fluids.
  • Follow a BRAT Diet.
  • Avoid Certain Foods.
  • Get Adequate Rest.
  • Try Medications.
  • Take Probiotics.
  • Experiment With Acupressure.
Sep 7, 2023

How to reset your gut after a stomach bug? ›

The most important thing to do is to rest the stomach and intestine. You can do this by not eating solid food for a while and drinking only clear liquids. As your symptoms go away, you can start eating soft bland foods that are easy to digest.

What 12 foods stop diarrhea? ›

What are some foods that are recommended to eat when you have diarrhea? The list includes simple foods like oatmeal, bananas, plain rice, applesauce, boiled potatoes, toast, plain crackers, pretzels, and baked chicken without skin or fat.

How to keep rice from turning to mush in soup? ›

Cook the rice separately and warm the grains gently in the microwave right before serving. Spoon the rice into the soup bowl and then ladle the prepared soup around it.

How do you thicken rice soup? ›

When you want to add a little heft to your broth—say, when preparing a chicken or vegetable soup—rice can do the trick. Simply throw a handful of any uncooked white rice you have into the broth as you cook the soup and let it simmer for at least half an hour.

How do you keep rice from bloating in soup? ›

Be sure to wait until the soup is cooled before adding the rice; this will minimize the amount of broth the rice soaks up as it sits. If it's at all warm, the rice will continue to cook as it cools. Or, you can precook the rice for 10 minutes, store it separately from the soup, and add it to the soup as it's reheating.

Why did I eat some chicken soup when I was sick? ›

Chicken soup has long been used as a home remedy for cold and flu. Some scientific evidence indicates that the soup could be anti-inflammatory. Though research is scant, experts say chicken soup is worth a try when you're sick.

Why does chicken soup make you feel so good? ›

As it does with turkey, the body uses tryptophan from chicken to make melatonin—which can help you rest—and serotonin, the chemical that signals your nerves and makes you feel happy and at ease. Both of these are reasons chicken soup is associated with comfort food: you literally feel a physiological sense of comfort.

Why is chicken soup immune boosting? ›

Chicken soup contains vitamins A and C, magnesium, phosphorus, gelatin and antioxidants, which are known to build a strong immune system and fight off viruses. The protein from chicken provides amino acids that are used to build antibodies to fight infection.

Is Campbell's chicken noodle soup good for you when sick? ›

Research shows that some soups – such as chicken and vegetable flavours – can help the body to kick a cold by easing congestion and inflammation. Stock up on Campbell's Soup collection to get you through the seasonal sickness.

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