Healthy Chicken and Rice Soup

Here’s a simply recipe for chicken and rice soup that is both healthy and delish. 

This is really good with a squeeze of fresh lime juice. 

Ingredients…

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 tsp salt 
• 2 cups chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 8 cups chicken broth (by all means use low sodium chicken broth if you are watching your salt intake) 
• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 1/2 cup white rice, uncooked
• 2 cups chopped cooked chicken (here I used left over chicken I had on hand that I baked then froze in meal/recipe size portions, see previous recipe post) 
• 1/2 cup non fat yogurt 
• lime for garnish, optional

Process…

1. Heat olive oil to med high in a stock pot
2. Add in the onions and salt
3. Cook the onions till translucent
4. Add in the carrots and celery, continue cooking over med high heat another 10 minutes or so, mixing from time to time
5. Add in the garlic, cook an additional 5 minutes, mixing often  
6. Next, add in the chicken broth, thyme, pepper and rice. Mix well
7. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower to a simmer and continue to cook the soup for 20 minutes, at this point the rice should be cooked, taste to test it. If it’s not tender cook the soup an additional 5 to 10 minutes 
8. Add in the yogurt, whisk until smooth, don’t mind those little lumps those will smooth out as the soup continues to cook. 
9. Add in the chicken, bring the soup mixture to a simmer
10. Continue to cook (simmer) the soup for an additional 15 minutes or so, at this point you are just marrying the flavors 

Be ready to enjoy. 

This soup is so darn tasty, no kidding. 

*You’ll want to try the fresh lime juice in it, just a squeeze or two. It adds a pop of freshness that’s so delightful, you won’t regret it… promise. 

* The addition of fresh chopped cilantro or parsley would be fabulous in this as well. 

Again, here I used yogurt to thicken this soup. Yes, cooking yogurt kills the good live and active cultures (the probiotic element) in it, but you will still benefit from the added calcium and vitamin D in the yogurt without any added fat grams. Adding non fat yogurt to me is a win win, besides the health benefits, it adds a depth of flavor that’s something special and of course the way it thickens the soup is great too. 

Well, bye for now and happy weekend friends, may you find plenty of joy in it.    

                                                             💛 g.