Creamy Chicken Rice Soup (Print)
Velvety chicken and rice simmered with carrots, celery, and cream for a warming, hearty bowl.
# What You 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
# How To Make It:
01 - Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until vegetables are tender.
02 - Sprinkle flour over vegetables, stirring constantly for 1 to 2 minutes to form a smooth roux.
03 - Gradually whisk in chicken broth to prevent lumps. Add bay leaf and dried thyme.
04 - Stir in rice. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer partially covered for 15 to 18 minutes, until rice is nearly tender.
05 - Stir in cooked chicken, whole milk, and heavy cream. Simmer gently for 8 to 10 minutes until soup thickens and rice is fully cooked.
06 - Remove and discard bay leaf. Season with salt and black pepper as needed. Ladle hot soup into bowls and serve immediately, optionally garnished with fresh parsley.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Your secret to effortless comfort food is just a pot away, even if you only have leftover chicken on hand.
- It’s become my weeknight fallback because it’s equally friendly for lunchboxes or cozy suppers—and you can sneak in all sorts of odds and ends from the fridge.
02 -
- If you add milk or cream too early or let the soup boil, it can split and lose its silky texture—so keep the heat gentle.
- Waiting until the very end to season lets you amp up the flavors without overpowering the delicate creaminess.
03 -
- Start with really hot broth before adding the milk and cream for a smoother mix.
- A squeeze of lemon juice at the end cuts through the richness and wakes everything up—try it, just once.