Chicken and Rice Soup (Easy One Pot Recipe)

Name: Chicken and Rice Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 Tbsp olive oil; 1 cup chopped yellow onion (diced); 2 stalks celery (diced); 4 cloves garlic (minced); 1 chicken bouillon cube (or ½ Tbsp chicken stock powder); ½ tsp dried thyme; ¼ tsp ground black pepper; 6 cups chicken broth (about 1½ cartons); 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 4–5 thighs); 2 carrots (peeled and diced); ½ cup uncooked long-grain white rice; 1 bay leaf

This homemade chicken and rice soup is cozy, hearty, and so much better than anything from a can. Tender chicken thighs, fluffy rice, and vegetables simmer together in one pot for the ultimate comfort food that's perfect for chilly nights. It's an easy weeknight dinner, perfect for meal prep, and one of those simple family-friendly soups that works year-round.👇👇

large pot of chicken and rice soup with soup ladle

Why This Chicken and Rice Soup Is So Comforting

Chicken and rice soup is one of the most classic comfort foods because it's warm, simple, and filling without feeling heavy. Tender chicken, soft rice, and flavorful broth come together in one pot to create the kind of cozy meal many of us grew up eating on cold days or when someone wasn't feeling well, just like a bowl of Chicken Noodle Soup or Vegetable Soup.

This homemade version builds flavor slowly as the chicken simmers in the broth, creating a richer taste than canned soup with very little extra effort.

👉 Browse all my easy chicken recipes for more weeknight dinner ideas.

Andi is holding a bowl of chicken and rice soup.

What Makes This Recipe Great

Meal prep friendly - tastes even better the next day
One pot = easy cleanup - everything cooks in a single pot
Tender chicken every time - thighs stay juicy and shred perfectly
Simple pantry staples - onion, carrots, celery, rice, broth
Family comfort food - classic, cozy, and filling

Recipe Ingredients

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 chicken bouillon cube
½ tsp dried thyme
¼ tsp ground black pepper
6 cups chicken broth (about 1½ cartons)
1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
2 carrots, peeled and diced
½ cup uncooked long-grain white rice
1 bay leaf

🎥 Watch How To Make Chicken and Rice Soup 👇👇

See how easy it is to make this cozy one-pot dinner with simple pantry ingredients.

Step-By-Step Instructions 👇👇

Full ingredients and instructions are also in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.

Four images grouped of a pot. First two chopped celery, onion and garlic unmixed then mixed. Second two spices added unmixed then mixed.

STEP 1: Sauté the Vegetables

Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 cup diced onion and 2 diced celery stalks and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

Three images of a pot grouped first two raw chicken thighs, rice, carrots and broth added unmixed. Second mixed together, third cooked chicken thighs in the soup covered with rice and broth

STEP 2: Add Seasoning

Stir in 1 bouillon cube, ½ tsp dried thyme, ¼ tsp black pepper, and 1 bay leaf. Let the spices bloom for about 1 minute.

👉 Tip: If you're using low-sodium broth, you may need to add ½ to 1 teaspoon salt at the end. Always taste and adjust before serving.

STEP 3: Add Chicken, Broth, and Rice

Pour in 6 cups of chicken broth. Add 1 lb chicken thighs, 2 diced carrots, and ½ cup uncooked rice. Stir well, bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook 20-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.

👉 Tip: Chicken should reach 165°F when checked with a meat thermometer.

Four images grouped, first two a plate with cooked chicken thighs being shredded with a fork. Second two are a pot with cooked chicken rice soup with a soup ladle

STEP 4: Shred the Chicken

Remove the chicken thighs, shred with two forks, then return the shredded chicken to the soup. Stir well, taste for seasoning, and remove the bay leaf before serving.

Can Raw Chicken and Uncooked Rice Cook Together in Soup?

Yes. As the soup simmers, the chicken cooks through safely while the rice absorbs the flavorful broth at the same time. This one-pot method is what makes chicken and rice soup so simple and comforting.

The key is letting the soup simmer gently until the chicken reaches 165°F and the rice is fully tender. A steady simmer keeps the chicken juicy and prevents the rice from becoming mushy.

Rice Tips (Avoid Mushy Texture)

Add rice during the last 10-15 minutes if you prefer firmer grains
The rice will continue absorbing broth as it sits, so leftovers will thicken significantly overnight
You can also cook rice separately and add to each bowl for meal prep
I recommend using long-grain rice like jasmine or basmati
To help with this, add extra broth when reheating leftovers.

Shortcut Version With Rotisserie Chicken

Use 2 cups shredded Rotisserie Chicken instead of raw thighs. Cook veggies, broth, and rice until tender, then stir in cooked chicken at the end just to warm through.

This saves 15-20 minutes.

Slow Cooker Version

Add 1 ½ lbs chicken thighs, 8 cups broth, onion, celery, carrots, garlic, thyme, pepper, bouillon, and bay leaf to a slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
Remove chicken, shred, return to the pot, and stir in 1 cup uncooked rice. Cook an additional 30-40 minutes until rice is tender.

Instant Pot Instructions

Use sauté mode to cook the onion, celery, and garlic in 1 Tbsp olive oil. Add remaining ingredients except rice. Seal and cook on HIGH pressure for 8 minutes. Natural release 10 minutes.
Remove chicken, shred, return to pot, then stir in rice. Use sauté mode and simmer until rice is tender.

Variations & Substitutions

Chicken breasts instead of thighs
Brown rice (cook 40-45 minutes or separately)
Extra veggies like peas, corn, spinach, or zucchini
Lemon juice for brightness
Creamy version with ½ cup milk or cream
Fresh herbs like parsley or dill
A squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving brightens the broth beautifully

Can You Make Chicken and Rice Soup Ahead of Time?

Yes. The flavor deepens overnight, making leftovers even better the next day.

For best texture, cook rice separately and add it when serving so it doesn't absorb too much broth during storage.

What To Serve With Chicken and Rice Soup

Crusty garlic bread that only takes 10 mins, my homemade dinner rolls, or quick and easy garlic parmesan knots made with refrigerated biscuit dough.
Simple green salad - store bought or made fresh
I like to make our grilled cheese on a baking sheet, or these easy sheet pan quesadillas
Roasted vegetables
Serve with toppings like fresh parmesan, homemade croutons or fresh herbs including thyme and rosemary.

How To Store Leftovers

Fridge: 3-4 days
Freezer: Up to 3 months (freeze without rice for best texture)
Reheat: Add extra broth if soup thickens

Why Homemade Chicken and Rice Soup Tastes Better Than Canned

Homemade soup has deeper flavor, better texture, and more tender chicken because everything cooks fresh in the same pot. The broth naturally becomes rich as the chicken simmers, something packaged soup can't fully match.

This simple one-pot version delivers cozy comfort fast, making it practical for real weeknights.

If you enjoy hearty comfort meals like Beef Stew, creamy chicken soups, or cozy rice dishes such as Chicken and Rice Casserole, this recipe fits perfectly into that same warm, family favorites dinner rotation.

soup ladle with scoop of chicken and rice soup above pot

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts?

Yes. Chicken breasts work well, but they can dry out more easily than thighs. Check for doneness at 165°F and avoid overcooking.

Can I use brown rice?

Yes, but it takes 40-45 minutes. For faster soup, cook separately and add to bowls.

Is chicken and rice soup gluten-free?

Yes, as long as you use gluten-free bouillon and broth.

Can I freeze chicken and rice soup?

Yes. For best texture, freeze the soup without rice and add freshly cooked rice when reheating.

Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Yes. Stir in 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken after the rice has finished cooking and heat through.