Cheesy Chicken and Rice Soup is thick, hearty, creamy, and delicious. This veggie-packed soup recipe is the ultimate comfort food!
I’ve temporarily resurfaced from the depths of my soup pot to share a must-try recipe for Cheesy Chicken and Rice Soup with you!
On a cold evening a few weeks ago I started cooking with every intention of making a big pot of my Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup to have on hand for lunches all week, but started craving something a bit creamier…and made with rice instead of noodles…and cheese.
There had to be cheese!
Cheesy Chicken and Rice Soup was the result and it is so hearty, creamy, and delicious that I had to manually override my right hand holding a spoon, with my left hand, in order to stop eating it.
That’s how good this soup is!
I’m not sure what I like best – the creamy rice, tender vegetables, flavor-packed broth, or the cheese. Probably the cheese.
How to Make Cheesy Chicken and Rice Soup:
Start by prepping the vegetable base. I typially use 1 stalk celery, 1 large carrot, and 1/4 onion as the base for all of my soups, and this one is no different.
Add the vegetables to a large soup pot over medium heat with 1 Tablespoon each butter and extra virgin olive oil then saute until tender, about 10 minutes. Add 2 minced garlic cloves then cook for 1 more minute, stirring constantly.
After the vegetables are soft, add 3/4lbs cooked diced or shredded chicken.
To the chicken and vegetables add 6 cups chicken broth, and 1/3-4 cups milk.
Followed by 1 bay leaf and a 2×2″ parmesan cheese rind. The cheese rind is optional, but it adds so much flavor!
I get a package of them from Whole Foods for super cheap and keep on hand in the freezer to pull out when I’m making soups.
Bring the soup to a boil then stir in 1 cup long grain white rice, place a lid on the pot, then cook for 15 minutes or until the rice is just barely tender.
Finally, whisk together 1/4 cup milk with 1/4 cup gluten-free or all-purpose flour in a small bowl, then stream into the soup and cook for 5 more minutes to get rid of the raw flour taste.
The addition of this milk/flour slurry makes the soup wonderfully thick and creamy without having to add any heavy cream.
Right now the soup is absolutely delicious on its own. You could serve as-is and have one of the best bowls of soup ever – BUT – the addition of 8oz shredded cheddar cheese takes this soup straight over the top.
See how thick and creamy this soup is?! All from a little milk and flour, and a modest amount of cheese – especially when you consider how many servings a big pot of Cheesy Chicken and Rice Soup makes. Such a winner, this one. I hope you love it!
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 onion, minced
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 1 rib celery, chopped
- salt and pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
- 3/4 lb cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
- 6 cups chicken stock or broth
- 2 cups milk, divided, any kind
- 1 bay leaf
- 2×2" parmesan cheese rind, optional
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 1/4 cup gluten free flour, or AP flour if not GF
- 8 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Directions
- Melt butter and oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery, season with salt and pepper, then saute for 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add garlic cloves then cook for 1 more minute, stirring constantly. Add chicken, season with more salt and pepper if chicken is unseasoned then stir to combine.
- Add chicken broth, 1-3/4 cups milk, bay leaf, and parmesan cheese rind, if using, to the pot then turn the heat up to high to bring the soup a simmer. Add the rice then stir to combine. Place a lid on top then turn heat down to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender.
- In a small bowl whisk together remaining 1/4 cup milk with flour. Stream into the soup then stir to combine and cook uncovered for 5 more minutes. Turn off heat and remove pot from burner then add cheese and stir until smooth. Let soup sit and thicken for 10 minutes then serve.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
I am feeling under the weather and came to your site because of your delicious, comforting gluten free food and found this soup. I made it and wow is it delicious. I even bought smoked cheddar and it really adds depth and flavor! So so good. Highly recommend.
I’m so glad to hear it, Bee! I hope you are feeling better now!
We buy a Sam’s Club rotisserie chicken. Make a meal out of it then debone and set aside. Use the remains to make the broth. Separate the bones from the broth. Add cubed chicken and the rest of the ingredients that have been sautéed. Anything that can be found in the garden or frig is fair game. Add noodles, dumplings or rice. Why Sam’s? because they are bigger and cheaper.
Sounds delicious, Larry! Thank you so much for sharing your method to make this soup!
We are seniors but the weather in Las Vegas is cold and I want a nourishing soup to eat.
This soup is amazing! I have made it so many times. It is filling and comforting. One of my favorite IGE recipes! 5 stars for sure.
This is still one of my favorite recipes. I think I’ve been making it for 6 years!
I know you posted this recipe a long time ago, but I just made it again for the zillionth time since I found it. My husband & I both love it and he often says to me, “Are you going to make that chicken-rice soup again?” It is just the two of us, so whenever we have leftover chicken or rice, I throw it in the freezer so it is all ready for me to make the soup. Then I freeze portion sized servings for us to grab out of the freezer for an easy lunch. I am a soup fiend, especially in the winter, so love having this as my go to recipe these days. Just wanted you to know how much we love it!
Made as written tonight for husband and picky teenager. They snarfed it down – proclaimed as a keeper. :)
Love it!! Thank you so much for your feedback, Jill! :)