Creamy Chicken Rice Soup (Printable)
Velvety chicken and rice in a creamy, vegetable-studded broth—simple, comforting, and ready in under an hour.
# 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 Steps:
01 - In a large soup pot, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables become tender.
02 - Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the softened vegetables. Stir constantly for 1–2 minutes to blend and eliminate any raw flour taste.
03 - Gradually whisk in the chicken broth to prevent clumping, scraping any bits from the pot. Add the bay leaf and dried thyme.
04 - Stir in the uncooked rice. Bring mixture to a gentle boil, reduce heat, and simmer partially covered for 15–18 minutes until rice is nearly tender.
05 - Add the cooked chicken, whole milk, and heavy cream. Simmer uncovered for an additional 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the soup thickens and rice is fully cooked.
06 - Remove the bay leaf. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to preferred taste.
07 - Serve hot in bowls. For added freshness, garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- It’s the kind of cozy, all-in-one supper that warms you up inside out.
- Leftovers taste even better, and everyone always asks for seconds the next day.
02 -
- If you rush and boil too hard after adding the dairy, the soup can separate or get grainy – gentle heat is your friend.
- Letting the rice sit in the hot soup for a few extra minutes off the heat makes it even silkier without losing its texture.
03 -
- Keep your simmer low after the cream goes in — high heat can make it separate fast.
- A squeeze of lemon at the very end adds a gentle brightness that surprises everyone.