Mark Bittman's Chicken and Rice Soup

Cozy up with a bowl of comfort with Mark Bittman’s Chicken and Rice Soup, a hearty, home-style dish that’s as nourishing as it is satisfying. This simple yet flavorful recipe combines tender pieces of cooked chicken breast, aromatic vegetables, fluffy long-grain white rice, and a fragrant blend of garlic and bay leaf, all simmered in a rich, savory chicken broth. Ready in just 45 minutes, this one-pot wonder is perfect for busy weeknights or soothing sick days. Garnished with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness, this classic chicken and rice soup delivers warmth and wholesome goodness in every spoonful. Whether you’re craving a quick, comforting meal or searching for a soul-soothing recipe, this easy chicken soup is sure to become a family favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups Cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
• 0.5 cups Long-grain white rice
• 2 medium Carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 medium Celery stalks, diced
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 8 cups Chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 leaf Bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper, freshly ground
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Step 4

Add the chicken broth, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper to the pot and bring to a boil.

Step 5

Once boiling, stir in the rice and reduce the heat to low to simmer. Cover the pot and let cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking.

Step 6

When the rice is tender, add the shredded or cubed cooked chicken to the pot and stir to combine. Allow it to heat through for 5 minutes.

Step 7

Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Step 9

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2875.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1438.4

Total Fat 46.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 405.6mg	0%
Sodium 7319.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 65.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.6g	0%
Total Sugars 17.3g
Protein 177.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 365.7mg	0%
Iron 13.4mg	0%
Potassium 3832.3mg	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: 30.0%

Protein: 51.1%

Carbs: 18.9%