Mama's Chicken and Rice Soup

Warm, comforting, and utterly satisfying, Mama's Chicken and Rice Soup is the ultimate homemade remedy for chilly evenings or when you're craving something wholesome. This hearty recipe features tender, seared chicken, aromatic garlic, and a medley of fresh vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery simmered to perfection in a flavorful chicken broth spiked with thyme and bay leaf. A generous helping of long-grain white rice adds a comforting richness, while a burst of freshly chopped parsley and a splash of zesty lemon juice brighten every bowl. Ready in just an hour, this one-pot wonder is easy to prepare yet deeply nourishing—ideal for meal prepping or serving up a soul-warming family meal. Don't forget that keyword-friendly garnish of parsley and lemon for an extra pop of color and flavor!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 pieces chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large yellow onion (diced)
• 2 medium carrots (peeled and diced)
• 2 stalks celery stalks (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic cloves (minced)
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 1 leaf bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Heat olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Step 2

Season chicken breasts with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, then sear in the pot for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken and set aside.

Step 3

Add diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.

Step 4

Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.

Step 5

Pour in chicken broth, then add bay leaf, dried thyme, and the remaining salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer.

Step 6

Return the chicken breasts to the pot, cover, and cook gently for about 20 minutes, or until fully cooked.

Step 7

Remove the chicken breasts and shred them with two forks. Set aside the shredded chicken.

Step 8

Stir the rice into the simmering soup. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender.

Step 9

Return the shredded chicken to the pot, stir in fresh parsley and lemon juice, and adjust seasoning to taste if needed.

Step 10

Serve the soup hot with an optional garnish of extra parsley or a lemon wedge.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2967.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1396.2

Total Fat 41.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 286mg	0%
Sodium 7204.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 106.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.9g	0%
Total Sugars 21.6g
Protein 143.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 381.5mg	0%
Iron 12.8mg	0%
Potassium 2760.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 27.4%

Protein: 41.8%

Carbs: 30.8%