Simple Chicken and Rice Soup
A no-frills, budget-friendly soup using affordable chicken thighs, rice, and seasonal vegetables for a filling meal. This american-inspired soups ready in about 70 minutes pairs uncooked long-grain rice, medium, diced carrots, stalks, sliced celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless (6 oz total) chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup uncooked long-grain rice
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, sliced celery
- 1 medium, chopped onion
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add 1 minced garlic clove and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 4 chicken thighs, 2 diced carrots, and 2 sliced celery stalks. Cook for 5 minutes until chicken is browned and vegetables are softened. Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Stir in 1/2 cup uncooked rice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until rice is tender and soup is thickened.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simple Chicken and Rice Soup take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (15 min prep + 55 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Simple Chicken and Rice Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep uncooked long-grain rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Simple Chicken and Rice Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Simple Chicken and Rice Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Simple Chicken and Rice Soup?
American soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
