Description
This comforting Chicken Lemon Rice Soup features tender chicken thighs, hearty vegetables, and short grain rice simmered in a bright, lemony broth. It’s a wholesome, flavorful dish perfect for chilly days or when you need a nourishing meal that’s easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 large carrots, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Chicken & Rice
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 8 cups water
- ½ cup short grain rice
Finishing Touches
- 2 lemons, juiced (about ⅓ cup)
- Parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, celery, 1 teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Add Aromatics and Chicken: Stir in the minced garlic and dried thyme, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add the chicken thighs, dried bay leaves, and the remaining salt and pepper to the pot.
- Simmer Soup: Pour in the water and add the short grain rice. Bring everything to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pot. Let it simmer gently for about 25 minutes or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the rice is tender.
- Prepare Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the pot and place it on a cutting board. Chop the chicken into ½-inch pieces and return it to the soup.
- Finish with Lemon and Parsley: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving to add bright, fresh flavors.
Notes
- This Chicken Lemon Rice Soup is packed with hearty vegetables, tender chicken thighs, and rice simmered in a bright, lemon-infused broth, making it both comforting and nutritious.
- You can substitute chicken breast if preferred, but thighs tend to be more flavorful and tender.
- For a thicker broth, cook uncovered during the last 10 minutes to reduce the liquid slightly.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste before serving.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stove.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 249 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 723 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.02 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 108 mg
