This comforting chicken and rice soup is packed with tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and fragrant oregano. It’s an easy and complete, nourishing meal—perfect for chilly winter days or when you need a cozy pick-me-up.
Looking for more easy soup recipes? If you love beans, my creamy black bean soup is a reader favorite! Prefer something light and quick? My pumpkin carrot soup is simple, velvety, and packed with flavor.
Why You'll Love This Soup
✔️ Quick and easy to make – Whether you start from scratch or use leftovers, this soup comes together with minimal effort.
✔️ Great way to use up leftover chicken and rice – A time-saver when you need a meal fast!
✔️ Perfect for cold and flu season – Warm, nourishing, and full of feel-good ingredients.
It's Easy to Put Together
This is one of those effortless, satisfying recipes that you can whip up with fresh ingredients or repurpose leftovers. Last time I made it, I wasn’t feeling great, so I threw in some leftover rice and rotisserie chicken—it was still delicious and incredibly soothing.
There’s a reason why chicken soup is a go-to remedy when you’re under the weather. This canja de galinha is especially comforting thanks to:
🥕 Carrots – A good source of vitamin C and antioxidants.
🥔 Potatoes & Rice – Provide energy and help keep you full.
🍗 Chicken – A protein boost to help you recover.
Pair it with my ginger and llemon iced tea for an extra immunity boost!
The Secret to the Best Chicken Soup
This step is optional, but it makes all the difference:
- Caramelize the onions and brown the chicken before adding the broth.
- This small step deepens the flavors and gives your soup a richer, homemade taste. If you’re short on time, you can skip it—but trust me, it’s worth the extra few minutes.
Yes! Just be sure to use plain cooked rice (not flavored or seasoned) and shredded or diced roasted chicken. Avoid breaded chicken, as it can make the soup greasy.
Absolutely! Leftover turkey works just as well, making this a great post-Thanksgiving meal.
Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for extra richness. Add a splash of lemon juice at the end for brightness. Toss in a bay leaf while simmering for extra depth.
Yes! It keeps in the freezer for up to 2 months. Let it cool completely before freezing, and store it in an airtight container.
It lasts 3 to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Long-grain white rice is my go-to—it stays fluffy without getting mushy. Basmati rice also works well and adds a slight nuttiness. Brown rice is a great whole-grain option, but it takes about 7–10 minutes longer to cook.
What to Serve With It
Nothing pairs better with a warm bowl of soup than freshly baked bread. Butter up a slice of simple sourdough, dip in some cheesy bread, or serve with a grilled cheese sandwich for the ultimate cozy meal. Here are my favorite bread to have with this soup:
Have you tried this Chicken and Rice Soup? Please leave a 🌟 star rating in the recipe card below, I'd love to know how it went!
📖 Recipe
Chicken and Rice Soup (Canja de Galinha)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 medium onion cut into half-moon slices
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 chicken breasts cubed
- 2 medium carrots grated
- 2 medium potatoes cut into small cubes
- 5 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1 cup rice long grain
- green onions to serve
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients. (See notes if using leftovers.)
- In a large soup pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the garlic and cubed chicken, cooking for another 5 minutes until lightly browned.
- Stir in the carrots, potatoes, oregano, salt, black pepper, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat to low, add the rice, and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the potatoes and rice are tender.
- Stir in the green onions just before serving.
Notes
- Add it after the potatoes are tender, then let it cook for 2 more minutes.
- Dice or shred the cooked chicken. Add it one minute after the garlic, sauté for a minute, then continue with the recipe.
Natalie
This is such a lovely recipe. I absolutely love the flavors and all the ingredients. I will definitely make this fro my family.
Genevieve
Yum! I love this recipe idea for leftover turkey.
Tammy
This looks absolutely delicious and comforting! Chicken soup is undeniably the best 🙂
Anita
I usually cook the rice and chicken soup separately. I got to try combining them in one dish like this. 🙂