Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe – A comforting classic chicken and rice soup recipe that is ultra creamy and rich with parmesan cheese and our gluten-free secret ingredient.
Why We Love Creamy Chicken Soup Recipe
Chicken soups are among my favorite comfort food recipes. There are an infinite number of versions, with noodles, tortillas, tortellini, and dumplings… SO MANY different varieties to enjoy. Whatever mood you are in, or taste you are craving, there’s a sort of chicken soup for you.
Loaded with a classic combination of onions, celery, and carrots, and including hearty rice, Chicken and Rice Soups are particularly comforting dishes any time of year. They are a complete meal in a bowl, and often incredibly easy to make! And if you love Chicken and Rice, then you will absolutely love this creamy parmesan chicken and rice soup!
Many creamy chicken soups call for heavy cream or artificial cream-of-something fillers. But our healthier, and in my opinion, far more delicious and nourishing version uses simple parmesan cheese and “secret ingredient” cornstarch to get that perfectly rich soup we all love.
What Ingredients You Need
You’ll love the classic flavors of our Creamy Parmesan Soup, made lighter but still incredibly rich by swapping traditional heavy cream with parmesan cheese and cornstarch.
Plus, did I mention that all of the ingredients are gluten-free?!
Here’s what you need:
- Butter – preferably unsalted
- Sweet onion – peeled and chopped
- Medium carrots – chopped
- Celery – chopped
- Garlic – minced
- Fresh thyme leaves – or substitute with 1 tsp dried thyme
- Bay leaf – adds earthy flavor, remove before serving
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs – or chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken will work as well
- Chicken broth – or water + 10 tsp chicken bouillon
- Dried long-grain rice – white rice (or brown rice with additional cook time)
- Parmesan cheese – grated
- Cornstarch – helps to thicken the soup
- Parsley – chopped
- Salt and pepper – helps the soup’s flavor stand out more
How to Make Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
All of the ingredients for this comforting chicken and rice soup recipe are easily cooked together in just one heavy soup pot. And you don’t even need to cut up the chicken or cook the rice beforehand!
- First, place a large 6-8 quart pot or dutch oven on the stovetop over medium heat. Add the butter and melt. Then add in the chopped onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté for a few minutes to soften.
- Add in the fresh or dried thyme, bay leaf, whole chicken thighs, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and stir in the dried rice.
- Cover and reduce the heat, and simmer for several minutes. Use tongs to move the chicken thighs to a large bowl or cutting board, and using two forks shred the cooked chicken into bite-size pieces. Continue to gently simmer the soup, uncovered, while you shred the chicken.
- Next, in a small bowl mix together the grated parmesan cheese with the cornstarch. Stir the shredded chicken back into the soup, and continue stirring as you add the parmesan and cornstarch mixture into the soup.
- Simmer and stir for another few minutes until the soup is thick and creamy.
- Give the soup a taste and salt and pepper as needed. Lastly, remove the bay leaf and stir in the fresh parsley before serving warm.
Get the Complete (Printable) Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe + VIDEO Below. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
The comforting, savory flavors of chicken and rice soup pair wonderfully with a variety of sides to create a satisfying meal. Enjoy it with garlic bread for dipping; the warm, toasted slices will soak up the delicious broth perfectly. A fresh mixed green salad with a zesty vinaigrette adds a crisp contrast, while a Caesar salad brings a classic touch to the table.
For a heartier option, consider roasted vegetables like carrots, zucchini, or Brussels sprouts. Their caramelized sweetness enhances the soup’s flavor and adds texture. If you’re in the mood for something indulgent, classic grilled cheese sandwiches make for delightful accompaniments that complement the warmth of the soup.
Tips & Tricks
- Make sure you cook the rice in the soup! This adds flavor and starch to the broth.
- For extra flavor, add a dash of white wine before adding in the broth!
- Don’t overcook the rice! The beauty of this recipe is that it only takes about 30 minutes total, so the rice shouldn’t get overcooked. However, if you need to simmer for longer, than add the rice with just about 20-30 minutes left.
Frequently Asked Questions
Soups with starchy ingredients (like pasta or rice) do make good leftovers if stored in the fridge and eaten within the next 24-48 hours.
However, the rice will continue to absorb the broth and make the mixture more of a thick stew rather than a creamy soup. You can add additional broth to loosen the soup when rewarming.
No. Adding in uncooked rice (or dry rice) gives the grains extra flavor as it cooks in the pot, making this healthy chicken rice soup even more delicious!
If you want a lighter classic soup, just skip the parmesan cheese and cornstarch. It won’t be as creamy, but the soup will still have great texture and flavor thanks to the rice and veggies.
You can even swap the butter with olive oil, for a dairy-free version.
Looking for More Savory Soups? Be Sure to Try:
- The Best Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
- Healthy Italian Wedding Soup
- Buffalo Cauliflower Soup Recipe
- Sausage and Kale Soup
- Tomato Potato White Bean Soup
- Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
- (Better Than) Olive Garden Minestrone Soup Recipe
- Thai Khao Soi Recipe (Coconut Curry Soup)
- Spicy Vegan Ramen Recipe
- Rustic Ribollita Recipe (Tuscan White Bean Soup)
Get the Complete (Printable) Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe + VIDEO Below. Enjoy!
Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 large sweet onion, peeled and chopped
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 pound boneless chicken thighs, or breasts
- 10 cups chicken broth, or water + 10 tsp chicken bouillon
- 1 cup dried long-grain rice
- 2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons chopped parsley
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Place a large 6-8 quart pot over medium heat. Add the butter. Once melted add in the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, stirring to soften.
- Add in the thyme, bay leaf, chicken thighs, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, stir in the dried rice.
- Cover and simmer for 12 minutes. Then use tongs to remove the chicken thighs. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-size pieces. Continue to simmer the soup uncovered, while you shred the chicken.
- Mix the grated parmesan cheese with the cornstarch. Stir the chicken back into the soup. Continue stirring as you add the parmesan mixture into the soup. Simmer another 2-4 minutes to thicken the soup base.
- Taste. Then salt and pepper as needed. Remove the bay leaf and stir in the fresh parsley. Serve warm.
Is it possible to use cauliflower rice instead of the long grain rice it calls for? I’m looking for keto friendly recipes but this one sounds really good.
Hi Susan,
Sure you can! It will add extra moisture to the soup base, plus there won’t be rice to absorb the liquid. Therefore, I would reduce the broth by 3 cups. Add the cauliflower rice at the end, about 10 minutes before serving.
My first home made chicken soup. The Parmesan cheese is actually yummy, not cheesy. Added some corn and had to substitute the corn starch with Tapioca starch. (Just double recipe) very good!
Can you make this with brown rice?
Hi Anita,
Sure, you can! You may have to simmer the soup a little longer, until the rice is fully cooked.
I have made this soup twice in two weeks!! Once when I wasn’t feeling to good after chemo and the next when my little one got a stomach bug.
It is so easy to make and it is delicious! HITS THE SPOT EVERYTIME. Dad & kiddo (7&14) approved!! Only problem now is that I need to remember to double the recipe next time bc the latest batch is almost gone & I made it less than an hour ago!
This Soup is delicious! Is it freezer safe?
Hi Patricia,
Yes, you can! Just make sure to place it in an airtight container and freeze it for up to 3 months. Then thaw it completely before reheating.
I made this for my wife, she wasn’t feeling well and it’s a great soothing soup. Easy and quick to make !
This soup looks amazing. Can I use minute rice? I do t have any long grain rice on hand? I also want to double the recipe. TIA.
Hi any tips for getting the Parmesan to evenly melt/ not get clumpy?? Thanks!
Hi Megan!
If you stir well while you add it in, it should melt into the broth.
The sharpness from the parmesan and the comfort from the soup all work together so perfectly. I love everything about this recipe!
Would this work to freeze? If so what are your suggestions? I’m due with a baby at the end of this month and want to have my freezer stocked.