Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup (Printable)
Velvety chicken and rice in a rich, creamy broth with tender chicken and hearty vegetables for cozy meals.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Grains
06 - 1/2 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
→ Liquids
07 - 4 cups chicken broth
08 - 2 cups whole milk
09 - 1 cup heavy cream
→ Spices & Seasonings
10 - 1 bay leaf
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Fats
13 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Thickeners
14 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
# Directions:
01 - Melt the unsalted butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic, and sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until vegetables are softened.
02 - Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes until a smooth roux forms.
03 - Gradually whisk in the chicken broth to avoid lumps. Add the bay leaf and dried thyme.
04 - Stir in the uncooked white rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer partially covered for 15 to 18 minutes until rice is nearly tender.
05 - Add the cooked chicken, whole milk, and heavy cream. Simmer gently for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the soup thickens and the rice is completely cooked.
06 - Remove the bay leaf. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
07 - Ladle into bowls and serve hot. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The creamy texture is like a secret hug for your insides on grey days.
- Leftovers somehow taste even better, making lunch the next day something to look forward to.
02 -
- I once learned the hard way not to dump all the milk in at once—take it slow to avoid a curdled mess.
- Using leftover rice will make the soup much thicker, so adjust the broth if you take that shortcut.
03 -
- Be patient with the simmer—a rushed soup is never as comforting as one that gets a little extra time.
- If you have homemade chicken broth, this is the soup to show it off.