Southern Chicken Rice Soup

Total Time

Prep: 25 min. Cook: 2-1/2 hours + cooling

Makes

10 servings (about 2-1/2 quarts)

Updated: Jan. 12, 2023
Meet the Cook: A favorite at soup night at our church, this recipe's one my husband concocted after he retired. (We have four children plus two grandchildren and another on the way.) I frequently find it on the table when I get home from work. -Rosalie Biar, Thorndale, Texas

Ingredients

  • 1 broiler/fryer chicken (about 3 pounds)
  • 10 cups water
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced carrots
  • 1/2 cup sliced fresh or frozen okra
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes, diced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped green chiles
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon Creole seasoning

Directions

  1. Place chicken, water and salt in a soup kettle or Dutch oven. Slowly bring to a boil; skim foam. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 45-60 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
  2. Remove chicken and set side until cool enough to handle. Remove meat from bones and discard bones and skin. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Skim fat from broth. Add the rice, vegetables and seasonings. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat for 30 minutes.
  3. Add the chicken. Simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
Editor's Note: The following spices may be substituted for the Creole seasoning—1/2 teaspoon each paprika and garlic powder, and a pinch each cayenne pepper, dried thyme and ground cumin.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 204 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 815mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein.