Slow-Simmered Mediterranean Chicken and Rice Soup

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A cozy soup featuring tender shredded chicken, fragrant herbs, and fluffy rice, perfect for a nourishing Mediterranean-inspired meal. This mediterranean-inspired soups (mediterranean) ready in about 55 minutes pairs olive oil, medium, diced carrot, diced celery stalk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium carrot, 1 diced celery stalk, and 1 diced yellow onion. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
  3. Step 3: Place 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts into the pot, pour in 6 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken breasts and shred them with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the pot.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 3/4 cup long-grain white rice and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until rice is tender and soup has thickened slightly.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Mediterranean Chicken and Rice Soup take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Slow-Simmered Mediterranean 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Mediterranean 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 Slow-Simmered Mediterranean 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 Slow-Simmered Mediterranean Chicken and Rice Soup?

Mediterranean 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.

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