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Creamy chicken and rice soup is one of those meals that feels right at home on the table during a busy week or a chilly evening. It’s hearty, comforting, and built from simple ingredients that come together into a rich, creamy bowl of soup.
This recipe starts with a classic vegetable base of onion, celery, and carrots simmered in chicken broth before tender chicken and rice are added. The result is a thick, creamy soup that’s filling enough to serve as the main course with a slice of warm bread on the side.
At our house, soups like this are often served with something warm for dipping. A slice of homemade Dutch Oven Bread or buttery garlic bread makes the meal feel complete. When we’re planning a cozy dinner menu, this soup pairs beautifully alongside comfort-food favorites like Creamy Beef Enchiladas or as part of a simple dinner spread with Fluffy Steamed Rice and Garlic Butter Rice for anyone who wants an extra scoop of something warm and savory.
For families who love classic comfort food recipes like Easy Homemade Spanish Rice (Stovetop), Cilantro Lime Rice or hearty casseroles like Tater Tot Chicken Casserole, this creamy chicken and rice soup fits right into that same cozy dinner rotation.
See more recipes you might enjoy in my ever growing Soup Recipes collection, or easy dinner option in my Slow Cooker Recipes collection.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich, creamy soup that’s hearty enough for dinner
- Simple ingredients that are easy to keep on hand
- Family-friendly flavor that picky eaters usually enjoy
- One-pot meal that keeps cleanup simple
- The vegetables can be blended into the soup base for smoother texture
- Easy to reheat for lunches the next day
- Can be adapted for slow cooker cooking
Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken breast or chicken thighs, diced
- Italian seasoning
- Celery, Carrots & Yellow onion
- Butter or olive oil
- Minced garlic
- All-purpose flour
- Chicken broth
- White rice
- Heavy whipping cream or half and half
- Salt & Black pepper
Equipment
Large Dutch Oven or Soup Pot – A heavy pot distributes heat evenly and gives the vegetables space to sauté properly before the broth is added.
Cutting Board and Sharp Knife – You’ll want a sturdy cutting board and a sharp knife for chopping the vegetables and dicing the chicken.
Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spoon – A sturdy spoon helps scrape the bottom of the pot when the broth is added so the flour blends smoothly into the soup.
Immersion Blender (Optional) – If you have picky eaters in the house, an immersion blender can be used to blend the vegetables directly into the broth before adding the rice and chicken.
How to Make
Creamy chicken and rice soup starts with building a flavorful base. Finely chopped celery, carrots, and onion are sautéed in butter or olive oil until they soften and begin to release their natural sweetness. Cooking the vegetables first deepens the flavor of the soup and creates the foundation for the creamy broth.
Minced garlic is stirred in next along with a small amount of flour. The flour lightly coats the vegetables and acts as a thickening base for the soup. Cooking the flour briefly removes the raw flour taste and helps the broth thicken smoothly once the liquid is added.
Chicken broth is poured into the pot while stirring to dissolve the flour and lift any flavorful bits from the bottom of the pot. At this stage, the soup base becomes smooth and slightly thickened.
For households with picky eaters, this is the moment when the vegetables can be blended directly into the broth using an immersion blender. The flavor stays the same, but the vegetables disappear into the soup.
Uncooked rice is stirred into the broth along with Italian seasoning. As the soup simmers, the rice gradually absorbs the broth while releasing starch, which naturally thickens the soup and gives it that classic creamy texture.
The diced chicken is lightly seasoned with Italian seasoning before being added to the soup. Cooking the chicken directly in the broth keeps it tender and allows the flavor to blend into the soup as everything finishes simmering together.
Finally, heavy cream is stirred in to create the rich, creamy finish that makes this soup so comforting. A final seasoning with salt and pepper balances the flavors before serving.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
PrintCreamy Chicken and Rice Soup
This creamy chicken and rice soup is the ultimate comfort food. Tender pieces of chicken, soft rice, and finely chopped vegetables simmer in a rich, creamy broth seasoned with Italian herbs. It’s hearty, cozy, and perfect for chilly evenings, busy weeknights, or anytime you need a warm bowl of homemade comfort.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8-12 servings
- Category: Dinner, Soup
- Method: Crockpot, Slow cooker, Slow Cooking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning (for seasoning the chicken)
- 2 tablespoons butter or oil
- 3 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 1 cup carrots, peeled and chopped
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons jarred minced garlic (or 5–6 cloves fresh garlic, minced)
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 9 cups chicken broth
- 1½ cups uncooked white rice
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning (for the soup)
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces and toss with ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning to lightly season the meat.
- Heat a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the butter or olive oil along with the celery, carrots, and onion. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Stir in the minced garlic and flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly so the flour coats the vegetables and cooks slightly.
- Slowly pour in the chicken broth, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot so the flour dissolves and any browned bits release.
- (Optional step for picky eaters)
If you prefer a smoother soup, use an immersion blender to blend the vegetables into the broth until smooth. - Stir in the uncooked rice and the remaining ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning.
- Increase the heat until the soup comes to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Cover with the lid slightly ajar and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking.
- Add the seasoned chicken and cook for another 7–10 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the rice is tender.
- Stir in the heavy whipping cream and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes until the soup is hot and creamy.
Notes
Reheating Tip
This soup will naturally thicken as it sits because the rice continues to absorb liquid. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or water and stir until the soup reaches your desired consistency.
Slow Cooker (Crockpot) Instructions
To make this soup in the slow cooker, add the chicken, celery, carrots, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, rice, and chicken broth to the crockpot. Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken and rice are tender.
About 30 minutes before serving, whisk the flour with a small amount of broth from the soup until smooth, then stir it into the crockpot along with the heavy cream. Cover and continue cooking until the soup thickens.
Texture Tip
For picky eaters or a smoother soup base, you can use an immersion blender to blend the vegetables before adding the rice and chicken.
Recipes That Pair Well With This
A warm bowl of creamy soup pairs best with something to dip or something crisp to balance the richness.
Homemade bread is always a great choice, and slices of Dutch Oven Cheddar Bread or toasted garlic bread work perfectly for soaking up the creamy broth.
Rice-based side dishes also complement the flavors of this soup nicely. Favorites include Fluffy Steamed Rice, Garlic Butter Rice, Cilantro Lime Rice, or classic Easy Homemade Spanish Rice.
If you enjoy building cozy dinner menus with simple sides and warm bread, these combinations create a balanced and satisfying meal.
More Recipes to Try
If you enjoy comfort-food recipes like this creamy chicken and rice soup, here are a few other favorites to add to your dinner rotation:
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Easy Crockpot Taco Soup
- Garlic Butter Pasta
- Easy Homemade Spanish Rice (Stovetop)
- Fluffy Steamed Rice
- Tater Tot Casserole
- Creamy Beef Enchiladas
Tips for Little Helpers
Kids can easily help with several steps in this recipe.
They can help wash vegetables, stir the soup while it simmers, or measure ingredients before cooking begins. Older kids can also help add the rice to the soup or stir the cream into the pot near the end of cooking.
Cooking together in the kitchen is a great way to help kids learn basic cooking skills while spending time together.
Tips for Success
- Dice the vegetables small so they cook evenly in the soup.
- Stir occasionally while the rice cooks so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
- Simmer gently rather than boiling hard to keep the rice tender.
- Season the chicken before adding it to the soup to build extra flavor.
- Adjust the thickness at the end with a little extra broth if needed.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes. Chicken thighs work very well in this soup and tend to stay especially tender.
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes. The soup reheats very well and is often even better the next day.
Can I hide the vegetables for picky eaters?
Yes. Blend the vegetables into the broth with an immersion blender before adding the rice and chicken.
Can this be made in a slow cooker?
Yes. See the notes in the recipe card for full slow cooker instructions.
Storage
Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Freezing Instructions
This soup can be frozen, but keep in mind that rice can soften after freezing and reheating.
For best results, freeze the soup before adding the cream and stir the cream in after reheating.
For easy portioning, pour cooled soup into silicone soup freezer cubes. Once frozen solid, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag so you can thaw just the amount you need for a quick lunch or dinner.
For best results, freeze the soup before adding the cream and stir the cream in after reheating.
Variations
- Substitute chicken thighs for extra richness.
- Add fresh parsley or thyme for additional herbs.
- Replace white rice with brown rice (increase cook time).
- Add mushrooms or spinach for additional vegetables.
Final Thoughts
Creamy chicken and rice soup is the kind of recipe that becomes a regular part of the dinner rotation. It’s simple to make, full of comforting flavor, and perfect for serving to family and friends.
With tender chicken, creamy broth, and hearty rice, every bowl feels warm and satisfying.
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