Cozy Winter Soup Everyone Makes After Christmas
A warm, comforting winter chicken and rice soup featuring sautéed vegetables, tender chicken breast, and creamy broth. Perfect for cozy evenings and post-holiday nourishment.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1/2 cup rice
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, diced carrots, and celery. Cook gently, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Cook Chicken: Add the diced chicken breast to the vegetables in the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly golden on all sides and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Add Broth and Rice: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Then, add the rice and reduce the heat to low to maintain a simmer.
- Simmer Soup: Let the soup simmer gently until the rice is tender and fully cooked, usually about 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Finish with Cream and Season: Stir in the cream and season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste. Heat through for another 2 minutes without boiling.
- Serve Hot: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve immediately for a cozy winter meal.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breast with thigh meat for richer flavor.
- Use long-grain white rice for best texture; brown rice will require longer cooking time.
- For a lighter version, use low-fat cream or omit it entirely.
- Add herbs such as thyme or parsley for additional aroma and taste, if desired.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.