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The BEST Chicken and Rice Soup

This really is one of the best, most flavorful chicken and rice soups we've ever tasted! And with the help of rotisserie chicken (or leftover chicken), it's super easy too!
Course Main Course, Soup
Cuisine American
Keyword Chicken and Rice Soup, The BEST Chicken and Rice Soup
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 23 minutes
Total Time 53 minutes
Servings 12 generous servings
Calories 164 kcal
Author Chris Scheuer

Ingredients

  • For the rice:
  • 1 cup uncooked jasmine (or other long-grain) rice
  • For the soup:
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large onion finely chopped
  • 2 medium shallots finely chopped
  • 4 medium stalks celery quartered lengthwise and thinly sliced
  • 3 medium cloves garlic finely minced
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 10 cups low sodium chicken broth more if needed
  • 12 ounces carrots thinly sliced (halved lengthwise if large)
  • 2 medium-size bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper more, to taste
  • For finishing:
  • 2 cups diced rotisserie or leftover chicken
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1-2 cups tightly packed fresh spinach finely chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. For the rice:
  2. Cook jasmine rice according to package instructions (or according to the method above in Café Tips) and set aside to cool.
  3. For the soup:
  4. Heat the butter and oil over medium heat in a large Dutch oven or soup pot until the butter is melted and bubbly. Add the chopped onion, shallots and celery and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until veggies are softened. Add the garlic and Italian seasoning and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly.

  5. Add the chicken broth, carrots, bay leaves, turmeric, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce to a steady simmer and cook for 20 minutes, uncovered. Try one of the carrot slices. If it’s not nice and tender cook for another 3-5 minutes or until tender (the size of your carrot slices will determine how low it takes to cook).
  6. To finish:
  7. Remove the bay leaves then add the rotisserie chicken, rosemary, cooked rice and finely chopped spinach (if using). Cover and allow the soup to sit for 10 minutes for the flavors to meld. Taste and season with more kosher salt and black pepper, if needed. If soup is too thick, add more chicken broth. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

See Café Tips above in the post for more detailed instructions and tips.

Nutrition Facts
The BEST Chicken and Rice Soup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 164 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 23mg8%
Sodium 470mg20%
Potassium 420mg12%
Carbohydrates 20g7%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 12g24%
Vitamin A 4835IU97%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 40mg4%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.