Amazing Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

Hey y’all! Jordan Bell here from Asheville, North Carolina, and let me tell you, this Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup is the real deal when it comes to clean Southern comfort food. You know, after losing 80 pounds, I really had to rethink how I approached all my Southern favorites. My blog, Easy Detox Recipes, is all about proving you don’t have to give up the food you love to eat healthy. This soup is one of those recipes that just feels like a warm hug from home, but it’s made with ingredients that actually make you feel good.

Growing up, a pot of chicken and rice soup was what you turned to when you needed a little extra love. This version takes all those cozy vibes and makes it fit for a clean eating lifestyle. It’s proof that you can have that delicious, hearty taste without all the fuss or the heavy stuff. It’s perfect for a chilly evening or anytime you need a little pick-me-up that nourishes you from the inside out.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

Get ready to fall head over heels for this soup! It’s got that classic, comforting taste you crave, but in a way that actually makes you feel good. Think of it as your new go-to for when you need something delicious and satisfying without any of the guilt.

Quick and Easy Preparation

Seriously, this soup comes together in a flash! You can have a big pot of goodness ready in under an hour, with most of that time being hands-off simmering. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you still want a home-cooked meal.

Wholesome and Nourishing Ingredients

We’re keeping it clean and simple here. All the good stuff – fresh veggies, lean protein, and hearty rice – come together to make a meal that’s both filling and good for you. It’s comfort food that truly nourishes.

Authentic Southern Flavor, Cleaned Up

This soup tastes like a warm hug from Grandma’s kitchen, but without all the heavy cream and excess sodium. It’s got that authentic Southern soul food flavor, all dialed in for clean eating. You get all the comfort, none of the compromise!

Gather Your Ingredients for Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

Alright, let’s get our ducks in a row and gather everything we need for this amazing soup. It’s pretty straightforward, using good, wholesome ingredients you likely already have or can easily find. The magic really happens when these simple things come together, so make sure you’ve got everything prepped and ready to go. We’re talking fresh veggies, lean chicken, and just the right touch of creaminess. Here’s what you’ll need to pull this delicious bowl of comfort together:

Ingredient	Quantity	Preparation
Olive Oil	1 tablespoon	–
Celery	1 cup	Chopped
Onion	1 cup	Chopped
Carrots	1 cup	Chopped
Garlic	2 cloves	Minced
Flour	2 tablespoons	All-purpose
Chicken Broth	6 cups	Low-sodium recommended
Italian Seasoning	1 teaspoon	–
Uncooked Rice	1 cup	Long-grain white rice recommended
Heavy Cream	1/2 cup	–
Cooked Chicken	2 cups	Shredded
Salt	To taste	–
Black Pepper	To taste	Freshly ground recommended

How to Prepare Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup Step-by-Step

Alright, let’s get this pot of deliciousness simmering! Making this Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup is really straightforward, I promise. It’s all about building those flavors layer by layer. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a hearty, comforting meal on the table in no time. Trust me, your kitchen is going to smell amazing!

Step	Action	Notes
1	Sauté Vegetables	Heat the olive oil in your biggest Dutch oven or a nice, large pot over medium heat. Toss in your chopped celery, onion, and carrots. Let them get cozy and soften up for about 5 to 7 minutes. You want them to be tender, but not so soft they turn to mush!
2	Add Garlic and Flour	Now, add in that minced garlic and the flour. Stir it all around constantly for about 1 minute. This is a key step for thickening our soup later, so don’t skip it! Just be careful not to let that garlic burn – nobody likes burnt garlic flavor.
3	Incorporate Broth	Here comes the liquid! Slowly, and I mean *slowly*, whisk in the chicken broth. Keep whisking until everything is nice and smooth. While you’re at it, scrape up any little browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot – that’s pure flavor gold!
4	Add Seasonings and Rice	Now for the good stuff! Stir in your Italian seasoning, the uncooked rice, and that lovely heavy cream. Give it a good stir to make sure the cream is all mixed in nicely.
5	Simmer (Initial)	Bring the whole pot up to a boil. Once it’s bubbling, turn the heat way down to low, pop a lid on, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. This is where the rice starts to get soft and happy.
6	Add Chicken and Finish Simmering	Time for the star of the show – the shredded cooked chicken! Add it right into the pot. Keep simmering, covered, until the rice is perfectly cooked through and the chicken is all warmed up, usually another 10 to 15 minutes.
7	Season	Almost done! Now, taste your soup. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper until it tastes just right to you. Don’t be shy with the seasoning – it really makes all the flavors pop!

Tips for the Best Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

Alright, let’s chat about making this soup absolutely perfect every single time. We want it to be that go-to recipe you can always count on. I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way, and I’m happy to share them so your soup is just as delicious as mine!

Quick Chicken Shortcut

If you’re in a real hurry, don’t you worry! Using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is a total game-changer. Just shred it up and toss it in during the last few minutes of cooking. It saves so much time and still tastes amazing!

Adjusting Creaminess

My recipe calls for half a cup of heavy cream, but you can totally play with that! If you like it super rich, maybe add a little more cream. Or, if you want it a bit lighter, just use a bit less. It’s your soup, make it how you like it!

Perfecting Soup Thickness

Sometimes soup can be too thin, or maybe you like it extra thick like I do! If yours isn’t quite as thick as you’d like, you can easily fix it. Stir in an extra tablespoon of flour with the garlic and cook for a minute longer, or just let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes at the end. It’ll thicken right up!

Frequently Asked Questions about Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

Got questions about our favorite creamy chicken and rice soup? I’ve totally got you covered! It’s super common to wonder about substitutions or how to tweak things, so here are the answers to some of the most frequent things folks ask me.

• Q: Can I use leftover cooked chicken?

  A: Oh, absolutely! Leftover cooked chicken is a lifesaver for this recipe. Just make sure you shred it up or chop it into bite-sized pieces before you toss it in during the last step. It makes getting dinner on the table even faster!

• Q: What kind of rice is best for this creamy chicken and rice soup?

  A: For this particular soup, I really like using long-grain white rice. It has a great texture and cooks up perfectly in the time the recipe calls for. If you wanted to try brown rice, you totally could, but just know it’ll take a bit longer to cook and might change the soup’s thickness a little.

• Q: How can I make this soup even healthier?

  A: That’s a great question! To make it even lighter, I’d suggest using low-sodium chicken broth. And instead of heavy cream, you could try a reduced-fat milk or even an unsweetened plant-based milk. Adding extra veggies like some frozen peas or a handful of spinach right at the end is also a fantastic way to boost the nutrition!

• Q: Is this soup suitable for meal prep?

  A: You bet! This chicken soup is fantastic for meal prep. It stores beautifully in the fridge, and honestly, the flavors seem to get even better after a day. Just portion it out into airtight containers, and you’ve got healthy lunches or quick dinners ready to go all week!

Storing and Reheating Your Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

Now that you’ve made this delicious pot of Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup, you’ll want to know how to keep it fresh and enjoy it later. It’s great for leftovers, so don’t be afraid to make a big batch! Here’s how to store and reheat it so it tastes just as good the next day, or even a few days later.

Aspect	Details
Storage	Once your soup has cooled down a bit, spoon it into an airtight container. Pop it in the fridge, and it should stay yummy for about 3 to 4 days. It’s perfect for packing as lunch!
Reheating (Stovetop)	My favorite way to reheat is on the stovetop. Just put the soup in a pot over medium-low heat. Stir it now and then as it warms up. If it seems a little too thick after sitting, just add a tiny splash of chicken broth or water to get it back to the perfect consistency.
Reheating (Microwave)	If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works great too! Put your soup in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it in 1- to 2-minute bursts, giving it a good stir in between each interval, until it’s nice and hot all the way through.

Nutritional Information for Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

Now, let’s talk about what’s packed into each bowl of this delicious rice soup. I always like to give you a heads-up on the good stuff, so you know exactly what you’re fueling up with. Remember, these numbers are just estimates – they can change a little depending on the brands you use and exactly how you whip it up. But it gives you a great idea of how wonderfully balanced this hearty soup is!

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	450
Fat	20g
Saturated Fat	10g
Carbohydrates	40g
Fiber	3g
Protein	30g
Sodium	800mg
Sugar	5g
Cholesterol	90mg

Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.

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