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LIGHT CHICKEN RICE SOUP centered hero view, clean and uncluttered
Yesica Andrews

Light Chicken Rice Soup Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipe

This Light Chicken Rice Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for an easy dinner or weeknight meal. Packed with juicy chicken, perfectly cooked rice, and a blend of herbs, it’s a simple soup that feels like a warm family dinner. A great chicken soup recipe that feels like it’s straight from grandma’s kitchen.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 cups
Calories: 121

Ingredients
  

  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon EACH: dried parsley oregano thyme mustard powder
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • ½ cup diced carrots
  • 2 ribs celery diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 5 cups chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 1/4 lb. bone-in chicken breast
  • fresh parsley to garnish
  • 1 ½ cups chicken broth
  • 3/4 cups white long grain rice uncooked

Method
 

  1. Start by melting butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onions, carrots, and celery, cooking until they begin to soften, about 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Mix in the dried herbs, mustard powder, pepper, soy sauce, hot sauce, chicken breast, and chicken broth. Lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and partially cover the pot. Let the chicken cook slowly for 15 to 20 minutes until fully cooked through but tender. Remove the chicken and shred it carefully with two forks, discarding any bones, then return the shredded chicken to the pot. While the soup simmers, prepare the rice separately. Bring 1 ½ cups chicken broth to a boil in a medium saucepan, add the rice, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes, then turn off the heat and let it rest covered for 10 minutes to finish steaming. Taste the soup, adding salt if needed. Serve by spooning cooked rice into bowls and ladling the soup over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  • For best flavor, use bone-in chicken breast or thighs. You can simmer the chicken longer on low heat to get a richer broth and juicier meat. Rotisserie or leftover chicken can also be used; add 2 cups cooked chicken at the same step and simmer for 15 minutes to blend flavors without boiling. This soup freezes well, but store rice and soup separately to avoid sogginess. Refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 days or freeze for 3 months.