Cozy Winter Chicken and Rice (Printable Version)

Hearty one-pot meal with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and vegetables in a savory broth. Ready in under an hour.

# What You Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
04 - 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
05 - 3 celery stalks, sliced
06 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Rice

07 - 3/4 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed

→ Broth & Seasoning

08 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
11 - 2 bay leaves
12 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
13 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

→ Finishing Touches

14 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
15 - Juice of 1/2 lemon, optional

# How To Make:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, dried thyme, and rosemary. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the chicken breasts, chicken broth, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
04 - Add the rinsed rice, reduce heat to a simmer, and cover with a lid. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
05 - Remove chicken breasts from the pot and shred with two forks. Return the shredded meat to the soup.
06 - Discard bay leaves. Stir in fresh parsley and lemon juice if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
07 - Ladle soup into individual bowls and serve hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The rice absorbs just enough broth to get creamy without turning into mush like pasta often does.
  • It is a one pot miracle that makes the whole kitchen feel warm for hours after you turn off the heat.
02 -
  • Rinsing the rice is the difference between a clear soup and a thick porridge.
  • Adding the salt at the beginning lets the chicken soak up the flavor rather than just seasoning the water.
03 -
  • Always use a low sodium broth so you have total control over the final saltiness of your meal.
  • If the soup gets too thick after sitting just add a little water or more broth when reheating.
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