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Cozy One-Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

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A comforting, creamy chicken and rice soup made in a single pot. This recipe uses simple ingredients and a technique of toasting rice and browning chicken to create a rich, velvety broth without heavy cream or flour.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced small
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced into small rounds
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped

Instructions

  1. Heat butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and cook for 5 minutes until onions are translucent and carrots are softened.
  2. Add minced garlic and dried thyme in the last minute of cooking the vegetables to prevent burning.
  3. Pat chicken thighs dry and season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Sear chicken in the pot for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. Add uncooked rice to the pot with the vegetables and stir for 2 minutes to toast.
  5. Pour in chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to release flavorful bits. Return chicken and any juices to the pot.
  6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes without stirring.
  7. Check that rice is tender. Shred chicken directly in the pot with two forks or remove, shred, and return to pot.
  8. Stir in heavy cream and fresh spinach. Cook for 2-3 minutes until spinach wilts and soup is heated through.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Notes

Do not rinse the rice to allow starch to thicken the soup naturally. Brown rice can be used but requires longer cooking time (10-15 minutes extra). For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with milk or half-and-half. The soup thickens upon standing; add broth when reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken and rice soup, one pot meal, creamy soup, comfort food, easy dinner, weeknight meals, chicken thighs, slow cooker alternative

Find it online: https://shimmersnack.com/cozy-one-pot-creamy-chicken-and-rice-soup-easy-comfort-food/