Creamy Hearty Mushroom, Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Soup

This soup is rich, creamy, and loaded with hearty ingredients for a comforting meal!

Description:
This creamy and comforting soup combines tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and wholesome vegetables with tender rice, all simmered in a flavorful broth enriched with cream. Perfect for a satisfying meal any day, it’s hearty enough to fill you up while delivering a delicious balance of textures and flavors.

Servings:
Serves 6 generous bowls

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cubed
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (cremini, button, or a mix)
• 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice (wild rice or jasmine works well)
• 1 large carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half and half for a lighter version)
• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 2 tbsp flour (optional, for thickening)
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp parsley (fresh or dried)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup spinach or kale (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook the Chicken:
   • Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
2. Sauté the Vegetables:
   • In the same pot, add onions, carrots, celery, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
   • Add mushrooms and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes until the mushrooms are tender.
3. Make the Soup Base:
   • Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir for 1-2 minutes. (This will help thicken the soup, but you can skip this if you want it thinner.)
   • Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
   • Add the rice, thyme, and parsley. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, until the rice is tender.
4. Add Chicken & Cream:
   • Stir in the cooked chicken and spinach or kale (if using).
   • Slowly stir in the heavy cream and simmer for another 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
5. Serve:
   • Ladle into bowls and serve warm with a side of crusty bread.