Yields: 6-8 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
Ingredients
Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Spices
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Protein
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken saves time!)
Liquids
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup milk (any kind)
Rice
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice OR wild rice mix
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp, mild, or a combination)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Add-ins
- 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce or red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- Box of frozen vegetables (peas, corn, broccoli)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for extra thickening)
Instructions
1. Sauté the vegetables: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil or butter over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrots and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
2. Season and add chicken: Add thyme, salt, and pepper, then stir in the cooked chicken.
3. Simmer with broth and rice: Pour in the chicken broth and milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Stir in the rice. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes (or according to rice package directions) until the rice is tender.
4. Shred the chicken (if needed): If your chicken wasn’t already shredded, remove it from the soup, shred, and return it to the pot.
5. Make the cheese sauce: Stir in both the cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until melted and the soup is creamy.
6. Customize and thicken (optional)
- For a spicier soup, add a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes.
- For a richer soup, stir in the sour cream.
- For thicker soup, whisk the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water, then stir it into the soup. Simmer until thickened.
7. Taste and adjust: Give it a taste. Adjust salt, pepper, or additional seasonings as needed.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Ladle into bowls and garnish with parsley, a dollop of sour cream, or extra cheese if desired!
Tips
Rice Options: Substitute white rice with brown rice (adjust cooking time) or your favorite rice medley. Pre-cooked rice can be added towards the end.
Save Time: Use leftover rice or rotisserie chicken for maximum convenience.
Stock Up: This freezes beautifully for easy meals later.
