I feel like I’m always confessing I never have anything planned for dinner and, well, it’s true. Do as I say and not as I do, because truthfully, I suck at meal planning. There, I said it! Just like the handyman’s home is always in need of repair, 2-3 days a week I can usually be found rummaging around the fridge and pantry at 4pm trying to come up with something for dinner (thank goodness for permanent spaghetti and pizza nights!) Luckily since I’ve created a well stocked kitchen, and pick up fresh produce and meat at the grocery store each week, it’s not difficult to come up with something quick, healthy and balanced, but there’s definitely room to grow.
Until that time, I’ll keep on creating fridge and pantry suppers like Easy Chicken and Rice Soup that my family has been DEVOURING lately.
ICYMI, Lincoln absolutely adores soup, and Easy Chicken and Rice Soup is at the top of his list! (This face…I can’t!)
This healthy soup recipe was the result of a 5pm fridge and pantry raid and it was on the table by 5:30 – BOOM! We always have chicken breasts and carrots in the refrigerator, onions and shallots on the counter, and quarts of chicken broth and bags of rice in the pantry. Put ’em together and what’ve you got? Easy Chicken and Rice Soup. Unbelievably soul satisfying. Brothy but thickened ever so slightly by simmered rice. A simple ingredient list but tons of flavor thanks to seasoning everything with my homemade gluten-free seasoning salt. It’s honestly one of my Top 3 favorite soups for flavor, being family friendly (Ben, who is usually “meh” on soups, loves this one,) and for being so quick and easy. I’ve made it countless times over the past month.
Tips for Making Chicken and Rice Soup:
- What rice to use. Use a high quality rice for this recipe. I love Lundberg Farms Jasmine Rice which always has a great consistency in the final dish. You don’t need to pre-cook the rice before adding to the soup as it will cook in the broth. I would avoid short grain rice.
- Can you freeze this soup? Yes and no! Cooked rice in soup has a tendency to turn to mush once thawed from frozen, BUT you can make the soup up to the point of adding rice then freeze. Bring back to a boil, add the rice, then cook according to recipe directions.
How To Make This Recipe:
Start by heating 1-1/2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add 2-3 medium-sized carrots that have been peeled then thinly sliced, and 1/2 chopped onion. Season with homemade gluten-free seasoned salt and pepper then place a lid on top and saute until the vegetables are very tender, 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Next add 8 cups (64oz) gluten-free chicken broth then turn the heat up to high and bring to a boil.
Pour in 1 cup long grain white rice then stir to combine. Again, I like Lundberg Farms Jasmine Rice but you can use whatever you have on hand – that’s the beauty of this easy, fridge and pantry-staple soup supper! Just make sure it’s not a short grain rice like arborio or sushi rice. Next add 2 chopped chicken breasts that have been seasoned with seasoned salt and pepper then stir to combine (the chicken will cook while the rice is cooking.)
Turn the heat down to medium then simmer until the rice is tender, 15-20 minutes, then pop the lid back on top and let the soup rest off the heat for 5 minutes to ensure the rice is really soft. Ladle into bowls then serve! I hope you love this super simple, super scrumptious Easy Chicken and Rice Soup recipe – enjoy!
Recipes Similar to Easy Chicken and Rice Soup:
- One Pot Chicken and Rice >
- Gluten Free Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup >
- Crock Pot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup >
- Cheesy Chicken and Rice Soup >
- Gluten Free Homestyle Chicken and Noodles >
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Easy Chicken and Rice Soup
Description
Easy Chicken and Rice Soup is a quick and simple gluten-free soup recipe that the entire family will love. Healthy comfort food in a bowl!
Ingredients
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
- 2-3 medium-sized carrots, peeled then thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-1/2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- homemade gluten-free seasoned salt (see notes for recipe) and pepper
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 64oz (8 cups) gluten-free chicken broth
- 1 cup long grain white rice
Directions
- Heat extra virgin olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion and carrots, season with seasoned salt and pepper, then stir to combine. Cover the pot with a lid then saute until vegetables are very tender, 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic then saute without the lid on for 30 seconds.
- Turn heat up to high then add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add rice then stir to combine. Season chicken with seasoning salt and pepper then add to the broth and stir to combine. Turn heat down to medium then simmer uncovered until rice is tender, 15-20 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat then place a lid on top and let sit for 5 minutes. Taste then add more seasoned salt and/or pepper to taste, then ladle into bowls and serve.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Even though it’s the middle of summer for me soup season is year round in my house – I love soup and I prefer homemade soup when I have the time to make it – and your recipe is a quick one and my all time favourite soup…
I have been having some health issues, and having to eat a fairly bland diet…I searched today for a go to chicken & rice recipe, and certainly found it here!!! Thanks so much, love the article, and the soup was fantastic, so easy, had everything in my pantry…absolutely ❤️ it, and so did the hubby❣️
I’m so sorry to hear about your healthy issues, Debi, and am thrilled the soup satisfied!!
This soup was perfect for our busy Monday ! I made it yesterday morning and we heated it up for dinner. Everybody had seconds, my 12 year old son did ask that I add more chicken next time !
How much of the seasoned salt do you use?
Does anyone have any info on what a serving size might be and what the calories, macros might come out to? Thanks in advance!
Delicious, my teenagers and poch loved it.
Can this m
Be made in the crockpot?
Hi Alicia! White rice has a tendency to turn to much in the crock pot, so I’d keep this on the stovetop!
Awesome recipe!! I did how ever modify it a bit and added some celery to it. I’m a firefighter and weight lifter and eat very clean! Was excited when I came across this recipe!! I made a double batch and jarred the left overs. Works great for when you want a good soup but don’t have the time to make a full batch.!!!
I have made this with long grain rice and with a mixture of long grain and wild rice blend, both were excellent! I precooked the wild rice blend for 15 minutes and then finished it all together for another 20 minutes, the wild rice blend gave it a little more body.
I made this soup last week and it was delicious. I did use thin egg noodles instead of rice though. I was not feeling well with a head cold and lots of coughing. All I wanted was chicken soup. I did add 2 squirts of Kitchen Accomplice, reduced sodium chicken broth concentrate to the broth. It is gluten free, non gmo, all natural and adds more flavor. Will definitely make again. Thanks for the recipe.
Made this last night with a couple of alterations… Added celery and used canned chicken. Fantastic!
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I’m in the mood for soup today (but then when am I not!) and came across your recipe. Have it simmering now and it smells so good. Thanks for keeping it simple!
Hi, I realize I’m late to the party ;) but I was wondering if cauliflower rice might work instead of the rice? Thanks!
Hi Angie! It could – you’d need to decrease the amount of broth to account for no actual rice to suck up a big portion of that!
Thank you for this recipe!! I made this tonight on a whim and plan to make it in bulk for family and friends from now on :) This was super easy and inexpensive to make. Even my one and three year old like it!
[…] so it wilts and turns dark green. Then add to your sandwich. Pair your sandwich with a classic chicken and rice soup for well-rounded […]
Made the soup today! Super easy and fast to make. Really delicious!
I am solo grateful for all of your hard work! My 17 year old daughter was just diagnosed with Celiac disease. This has been a shock to relearn everything you thought you knew about food. She is sick right now and was missing soup. I made your recipe but added some celery and she’s a happy sick girl now. Thank you for sharing your recipes!
Oh I’m so glad to hear it! Nothing better then comfort food when you’re sick AND feeling down. Please let me know if I can help you or your daughter in any way!
Super easy and really good! Made it exactly as written except used half ghee half oil to sautee veggies. The ghee really adds a buttery taste. Delicious. Thanks for another great recipe!
Is the chicken raw when you put it in? Or cooked? Thx
Yep, it’s raw – it will cook in the boiling soup.
your website is not allowing me to click or scroll to the recipe. As I get closer to the bottom of page where recipe is it jumps back up…so frustrating
I made this last night — AMAZING! The only thing I changed was to add about a teaspoon of fresh parsley along with the garlic. SO GOOD! This is definitely going to be a go-to meal in our household. Thank you for sharing!
I’m so glad you loved it, Rebeccah! Thank you so much for your feedback and star rating!
I made this chicken rice soup including your spice mixture. My husband and I loved it. I will definitely make some more of your recipes. Thank you!
I loved this soup but instead of carrots I used corn and black beans in the beginning I sautéed chopped onions and garlic together then added the corn and black beans. Then I added chicken broth 32oz and mixed water 32oz. Let it cook until boil then added the rice and chicken used some spices and afterwards let it sit for the 5 minutes. It was definitely kid approved thanks.
I like the flavor and the soup but all the soup was absorbed by the rice. Why us this?
Hi Mar! Is sounds like maybe the rice got overcooked a touch? The longer it cooks the more broth the rice will soak up.
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Great recipes! It was really good!
This was amazing! Will make again!
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Does the chicken need to be cooked first?
Nope!
Thank you for a great recipe! I wanted to make some warm soup tonight for dinner, but wanted to use what I have on hand, this is perfect!
I made this today after spending two hours shoveling this morning. Delicious!!! The only thing I added was some celery. Thanks for another great recipe.
Hi! I believe this is the recipe I used over a year ago & it was delicious! But didn’t you use Lawrey’s seasoning salt and already cooked chicken?
Hi Mary Lou! I can’t recall using Lawry’s in any recipe for the past several years. Could it be another website’s recipe you’re thinking of?
The best chicken rice soup I have ever had!! Delicious!!! So happy to have discovered your blog and recipes!!
[…] Easy Chicken and Rice Soup @ iowagirleats.com for full […]
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Great soup recipe. Delicious, comforting, easy to make.
Can I use instant rice that is already cooked?
Family favorite recipe! Have made it several times and always turns out great! Second day we add another can of chicken broth as it thickens quite a bit.
Thanks for the awesome recipe!
This was really delicious and so simple. Thanks for the recipe!
I made this soup and it is fantastic!!
Super-easy and delicious. Also great medicine when you’re feeling a little poorly.
A very good base and quite delicious. I added turmeric, bay leaf, and thyme and plenty of cracked pepper and salt.
Can I use brown rice instead? If so how much longer do I cook it for ?