Description

This easy Chicken Tomato Rice Soup is a hearty, comforting dish filled with tender chicken, vibrant tomatoes, and warming rice. Perfect for chilly days or whenever you want a simple, nourishing meal, it combines savory flavors with wholesome ingredients for a cozy, one-pot delight that’s quick to prepare and kid-friendly.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins

1 lb chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces
4 oz smoked turkey bacon, cut into pieces

Vegetables

1 cup carrots, finely chopped
1 cup celery, finely chopped
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups fresh or canned tomatoes, diced

Grains & Legumes

3/4 cup white or brown rice

Liquids & Broth

6 cups vegetable broth
1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)

Herbs & Seasonings

1 tsp dried thyme or 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Other

1 tsp natural gelling agent

Instructions

Prepare the Vegetables and Chicken: Finely chop the onions, garlic, carrots, and celery to build the flavorful base. Dice the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and tenderness throughout simmering.
Sauté the Base: In a large pot, cook the smoked turkey bacon pieces over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside, using the rendered fat to sauté the onions, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened and aromatic, around 5 minutes.
Add Chicken and Liquids: Add the diced chicken to the pot and cook until just browned on the outside. Pour in the vegetable broth and fresh or canned tomatoes, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Simmer with Rice and Herbs: Stir in the rice and fresh or dried herbs. Reduce the heat to low and let everything simmer gently until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked, usually about 20 minutes. Near the end, add the natural gelling agent to achieve a silky texture.
Season and Serve: Return the crispy smoked turkey bacon to the pot and add a splash of vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural) for added savory depth. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.

Notes

Use long-grain white rice for a fluffier texture or short-grain rice for creamier consistency.
Simmer the soup gently on low heat to keep chicken tender and develop flavors deeply.
Add chopped fresh parsley just before serving to brighten the flavors.
Crisp the smoked turkey bacon well to enhance its smoky flavor.
Adjust soup thickness by varying the amount of natural gelling agent or broth.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Simmering
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
Calories: 280
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 1.2g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: chicken soup, tomato soup, rice soup, comfort food, one-pot meal, healthy soup, quick soup