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Christmas Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

Christmas Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Diet: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large onion, finely diced
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh)
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Place a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté the vegetables for about 5 to 7 minutes until the onions become translucent and the carrots begin to soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  2. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the pot. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary. Cook the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the outsides are no longer pink. You don’t need to cook the chicken all the way through at this stage, as it will finish poaching in the broth.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pot. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the liquid to a gentle boil. Once boiling, stir in the uncooked white rice. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
  4. Remove the lid and stir in the heavy cream and fresh baby spinach. The heat from the soup will wilt the spinach within a minute or two. Continue to stir over low heat for another 3 minutes until the soup thickens slightly and becomes beautifully creamy. Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
  5. Ladle the hot soup into deep bowls. Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and an extra crack of black pepper. Serve immediately with a side of crusty bread or festive dinner rolls for dipping.
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes

Find it online: https://www.smilefood.net/christmas-creamy-chicken-and-rice-soup/