Description

Creamy Chicken & Rice Soup is a warm, cozy, and satisfying comfort food dinner loaded with tender shredded chicken, hearty rice, fresh vegetables, and a rich creamy broth. This easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, cold weather dinners, meal prep, and family dinner ideas. Every spoonful delivers comforting homemade flavor with soft rice, juicy chicken, and savory herbs blended into a creamy soup that tastes incredibly hearty and filling. This quick dinner recipe comes together in one pot, making cleanup simple while creating a delicious homemade meal everyone will love. Whether you need easy dinner ideas, healthy comfort food, or a creamy soup recipe for chilly evenings, this Creamy Chicken & Rice Soup is always a reliable favorite.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium yellow onion diced

3 celery stalks sliced

3 medium carrots sliced

4 garlic cloves minced

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1 bay leaf

2 cups cooked shredded chicken

1 cup uncooked long grain white rice

6 cups chicken broth

1 cup whole milk

1 cup heavy cream

3 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons all purpose flour

1/2 cup frozen peas

1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.

2. Add onion, celery, and carrots then cook for 6 to 8 minutes until softened.

3. Stir in garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, parsley, rosemary, paprika, and bay leaf.

4. Pour in chicken broth and bring the soup to a gentle boil.

5. Add uncooked rice and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer for 15 to 18 minutes until rice becomes tender.

6. Stir in the shredded chicken and cook for 5 more minutes.

7. In a separate saucepan melt butter over medium heat.

8. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.

9. Slowly whisk in milk followed by heavy cream until smooth and slightly thickened.

10. Pour the creamy mixture into the soup while stirring continuously.

11. Simmer for another 5 minutes until the broth becomes creamy and rich.

12. Stir in frozen peas if using.

13. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

14. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Notes

Do not overcook the rice because it continues absorbing liquid after cooking and may become mushy.

Add the milk and cream over low heat to keep the soup smooth and prevent curdling.

For even more flavor, use rotisserie chicken and finish the soup with fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 420
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 780mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 29g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: creamy chicken soup, chicken and rice soup, easy dinner recipe, comfort food, homemade soup, creamy soup recipe, one pot dinner, family dinner ideas