One-Pot Healthy Chicken Soup (Printer View)

Comforting soup with tender chicken, wholesome veggies, and hearty rice, all cooked together effortlessly.

# What you'll need:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 cup baby spinach or kale, chopped
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

→ Grains

08 - 2/3 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed

→ Liquids

09 - 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1 bay leaf
13 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
14 - 3/4 teaspoon salt
15 - Juice of 1/2 lemon

→ Fats

16 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

# Method:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
02 - Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
03 - Stir in chicken pieces and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned on the surface.
04 - Add rinsed rice, dried thyme, dried oregano, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Pour in chicken broth and bring mixture to a rolling boil over high heat.
05 - Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender and chicken is completely cooked through.
06 - Stir in chopped spinach or kale and cook uncovered for 2-3 minutes until wilted and tender.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Stir in lemon juice and fresh parsley. Remove and discard bay leaf.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with additional fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It genuinely nourishes without any fussy ingredients or complicated timing.
  • The whole thing lives in one pot, which means minimal cleanup and maximum comfort.
  • It's forgiving enough to make after a long day but special enough to serve when people need feeding.
02 -
  • Don't skip sautéing the vegetables first—this is where the actual flavor gets built, not in the broth alone.
  • Leftovers thicken as the rice continues absorbing liquid, so add extra broth or even water when you reheat if you want it soupy again.
03 -
  • Cutting your chicken into evenly sized pieces means it finishes cooking at exactly the right moment instead of some pieces being dry while others are barely done.
  • If your broth tastes a little thin, you can simmer it uncovered for the last 5 minutes to let some liquid evaporate and concentrate the flavor.
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