Warm up with a bowl of this delicious creamy chicken and rice soup, perfect for a comforting meal that’s both healthy and easy to make.
This recipe uses cream of chicken soup for a rich flavor that the whole family will love, bringing a classic comfort food experience to your table without a lot of fuss.
Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a soothing dish to enjoy on a chilly evening, this creamy chicken and rice soup delivers. It’s designed for busy home cooks who want flavorful, satisfying meals without spending hours in the kitchen.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Warm up with a bowl of this delicious creamy chicken and rice soup, perfect for a comforting meal that’s both healthy and easy to make. This recipe uses cream of chicken soup for a rich flavor that the whole family will love, bringing a classic comfort food experience to your table without a lot of fuss. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a soothing dish to enjoy on a chilly evening, this creamy chicken and rice soup delivers. It’s designed for busy home cooks who want flavorful, satisfying meals without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent. This step builds the foundational flavor of your soup.
2. Pour in the chicken broth and the condensed cream of chicken soup. Whisk well to combine, ensuring the cream of chicken soup is fully incorporated and there are no lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
3. Stir in the cooked white rice and the shredded cooked chicken. Continue to simmer for another 5-10 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld together and the rice to absorb some of the liquid, thickening the soup slightly.
4. If you desire an extra rich and creamy texture, stir in the heavy cream now. Let it heat through for 2-3 minutes, but do not bring it to a rolling boil after adding the cream.
5. Taste the soup and season generously with salt and black pepper. Remember that chicken broth and cream of chicken soup already contain some salt, so add it gradually until it reaches your desired flavor.
6. Ladle the hot soup into bowls. If using, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for a touch of freshness and color. Serve immediately and enjoy your comforting bowl of creamy chicken and rice soup!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: simmer
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
Keywords: chicken, rice, soup, creamy, comfort food, easy, weeknight, dinner, hearty, savory
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This creamy chicken and rice soup is a true weeknight hero. It’s incredibly simple to prepare, making it ideal for those evenings when you’re short on time but still want a homemade meal. The use of cream of chicken soup as a base ensures a rich, savory flavor with minimal effort, which is a huge win for busy parents and anyone looking for a no-stress dinner solution. It’s a hearty, filling soup that appeals to all ages, even picky eaters, thanks to its familiar flavors and comforting texture. Serve it as a main course with some crusty bread, or as a lighter lunch option. It’s particularly good on a cool evening when you crave something warm and nourishing. This recipe is also very budget-friendly, utilizing common pantry staples and affordable ingredients.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for this creamy chicken and rice soup is straightforward. Many of these items you might already have on hand, making it even easier to whip up on a whim. The star of the show, cream of chicken soup, provides a shortcut to a deeply flavorful broth, while cooked chicken ensures a satisfying protein boost.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, for extra richness)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
For simple substitutions, feel free to use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth if you prefer a slightly lighter flavor, though chicken broth will provide a richer base. If you don’t have cooked white rice on hand, you can quickly cook some while you’re preparing the vegetables. Brown rice can also be used for a whole-grain option, but it will have a slightly different texture and may require more liquid. Any type of cooked chicken, whether it’s leftover roasted chicken, poached chicken breasts, or even canned chicken, will work perfectly. For a dairy-free option, you can omit the heavy cream, or use a dairy-free cream substitute, though the texture will be slightly different.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, making it perfect for those busy weeknights.
- Preparation time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 20-25 minutes
- Total time: 30-35 minutes
These times are based on having your chicken already cooked and shredded. If you need to cook the chicken from scratch, add an additional 15-20 minutes to your total time. This soup comes together quickly, allowing you to enjoy a delicious, warm meal without a long wait.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Making this creamy chicken and rice soup is a breeze. Follow these simple steps to create a comforting and delicious meal for your family.
- Sauté the aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent. This step builds the foundational flavor of your soup.
- Add the liquids and soup base: Pour in the chicken broth and the condensed cream of chicken soup. Whisk well to combine, ensuring the cream of chicken soup is fully incorporated and there are no lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Introduce the rice and chicken: Stir in the cooked white rice and the shredded cooked chicken. Continue to simmer for another 5-10 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld together and the rice to absorb some of the liquid, thickening the soup slightly.
- Enhance the creaminess (optional): If you desire an extra rich and creamy texture, stir in the heavy cream now. Let it heat through for 2-3 minutes, but do not bring it to a rolling boil after adding the cream.
- Season to perfection: Taste the soup and season generously with salt and black pepper. Remember that chicken broth and cream of chicken soup already contain some salt, so add it gradually until it reaches your desired flavor.
- Garnish and serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. If using, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for a touch of freshness and color. Serve immediately and enjoy your comforting bowl of creamy chicken and rice soup!
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This creamy chicken and rice soup is wonderfully versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions.
For a kid-friendly twist, you can add some small pasta shapes like alphabet pasta or tiny stars along with the rice, or even instead of some of the rice, for a fun texture. You can also blend a portion of the cooked vegetables into the soup before adding the chicken and rice to make it smoother and “hide” veggies from picky eaters. Serving it with a side of grilled cheese sandwiches or crackers is always a hit with children.
If you want to add more vegetables, consider stirring in a cup of frozen peas or corn during the last 5 minutes of cooking. A handful of fresh spinach or kale can also be added at the very end; it will wilt beautifully into the warm soup. For a slightly different flavor profile, a pinch of dried thyme or a bay leaf added with the broth can deepen the savory notes. For a bit of heat, a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes can be stirred in.
This soup is fantastic for a casual family dinner, but it also works well for a potluck or buffet. Simply keep it warm in a slow cooker on the “warm” setting. Offer a variety of toppings on the side, such as extra fresh parsley, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, a dollop of sour cream, or even some crispy fried onions. A side of warm crusty bread, garlic bread, or a simple green salad makes it a complete and satisfying meal.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have small pitfalls. Being aware of these common mistakes can help ensure your creamy chicken and rice soup turns out perfectly every time.
One common slip-up is overcooking the rice. If you’re using pre-cooked rice, you only need to heat it through and allow it to absorb some flavor. Adding raw rice directly to the soup will require more liquid and a longer cooking time, potentially turning your vegetables mushy. Always use cooked rice for this specific recipe to maintain texture.
Another mistake is over-salting the soup. Condensed cream of chicken soup and chicken broth both contain sodium. It’s best to add salt gradually at the very end, after all the ingredients have been combined and simmered, allowing you to taste and adjust as needed. Start with a small amount, taste, and then add more if necessary.
Not whisking the cream of chicken soup thoroughly can lead to lumps in your finished soup. When you add the condensed soup to the broth, make sure to whisk it vigorously until it’s completely smooth and integrated into the liquid base.
Finally, boiling the soup too aggressively after adding cream can cause the cream to curdle. If you choose to add heavy cream, bring the soup to a gentle simmer, stir in the cream, and then just let it heat through for a few minutes without allowing it to come to a hard boil. Keep the heat low to medium-low during this final stage.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This creamy chicken and rice soup is excellent for meal prepping and storing leftovers, making your weeknights even easier.
To store leftover soup, allow it to cool completely at room temperature (no longer than two hours) before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
When reheating, the rice in the soup tends to absorb more liquid, making the soup thicker. To restore its original consistency, simply add a splash of extra chicken broth or water when reheating. You can reheat individual portions in the microwave, stirring occasionally, until heated through. For larger quantities, reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until simmering. Avoid boiling vigorously, especially if it contains heavy cream.
This soup freezes reasonably well, though the texture of the rice can become a little softer upon thawing. To freeze, cool the soup completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some headspace for expansion. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
