There’s just something incredibly soothing about a bowl of warm soup that feels like a gentle hug. This Creamy Chicken Rice Soup Recipe is exactly that—a luscious blend of tender chicken, wholesome rice, and a silky broth that makes comfort food feel a little fancy but still totally accessible.

A large white pot filled with creamy chicken and vegetable soup shows several layers: a smooth, yellowish creamy broth speckled with black pepper and herbs forms the base layer; chunks of tender white chicken pieces and bright orange carrot cubes spread evenly throughout; deep green beans and lighter green celery pieces add color and texture; finely chopped parsley sprinkled on top offers a fresh green contrast. A bronze ladle in the center scoops up a portion of the soup, highlighting the mix of vegetables, chicken, and creamy broth. The pot sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Chicken Rice Soup Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Chicken Rice Soup Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Chicken Rice Soup Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this Creamy Chicken Rice Soup isn’t just soup—it’s a remedy for those chilly evenings or when you want cozy but crave something nourishing. I love how the rich creaminess comes from evaporated milk rather than heavy cream, so you get depth without heaviness. Plus, it’s one pot wonder magic that smells DIVINE as it cooks.

Comforting Creaminess: Made creamy without heavy cream, just the right touch of indulgence using evaporated milk.
Rich Flavors from Simple Ingredients: The blend of herbs, garlic, and seared chicken drippings creates depth that hits the spot every time.
Hearty & Healthy: Brown rice adds nuttiness and fiber, while the veggies bring freshness and color to your bowl.
Flexible & Efficient: Use rotisserie chicken for a shortcut or follow the full searing method for restaurant-style flavor.

A close-up view of a ladle full of creamy chicken and vegetable soup lifted above the pot with the soup visible beneath; the soup contains light brown shredded chicken pieces, bright orange carrot chunks, green beans, small bits of herbs, and rice in a thick, light golden broth. The ladle is metal with a slightly rustic look, and the soup has a moist, rich texture with fresh parsley sprinkled on top, enhancing the color contrast. The background is a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Creamy Chicken Rice Soup Recipe plays a crucial role—from building flavor to adding texture. Most of these are simple pantry staples, and knowing a little about each will help you tweak the recipe to your taste or based on what you have on hand.

Flat lay of a raw boneless skinless chicken thigh with natural pinkish tones and slight marbling, a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of unsalted butter cubes, a whole yellow onion with smooth bright skin, three fresh celery stalks crisp and green, two medium peeled carrots with vibrant orange color, several whole garlic cloves with papery skin, a few deep green sprigs of fresh parsley, a small white ceramic bowl filled with light brown uncooked brown rice grains, a small white ceramic bowl holding fine reddish paprika powder, a small white ceramic bowl of dried mixed herbs including parsley, basil, thyme, and oregano, a single fresh bay leaf with glossy green surface, a small white ceramic bowl containing coarse granulated chicken bouillon powder, a small white ceramic bowl of trimmed chopped green beans, a small white ceramic bowl of creamy off-white evaporated milk, two whole brown eggs with smooth clean shells placed nearby, freshly ground black peppercorns scattered naturally, all ingredients arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Olive oil: The perfect fat for sautéing that adds a subtle fruity note and helps sear chicken beautifully.
Boneless skinless chicken thighs: Juicy and forgiving, they stay tender through simmering, but rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness while helping soften onions, carrots, and celery to a beautiful base.
Yellow onion, celery, carrots: Classic soup trio for depth and sweetness—don’t skip these aromatics!
Garlic and red pepper flakes: Garlic amps flavor, and a pinch of red pepper flakes gives just a hint of warmth without overpowering.
Brown rice: Nutty, chewy, and wholesome; it holds up well in soup without becoming mushy. (See notes for white rice alternative)
Chicken bouillon and dried herbs: These seasonings boost the broth with savory notes—parsley, basil, thyme, oregano, and a touch of dill bring freshness.
Bay leaf: Adds subtle earthiness and complexity as it simmers.
Low-sodium chicken broth: The flavorful base that ties everything together while keeping sodium in check.
Green beans: Adds a fresh snap and vibrant color late in cooking to keep their texture light and pleasant.
Evaporated milk: Brings creaminess without heaviness or excessive fat—my secret ingredient for silky soup.
Fresh parsley: A final sprinkle for brightness and a pop of green in the bowl.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Creamy Chicken Rice Soup Recipe is how adaptable it is. Over time, I’ve learned to tweak it based on what I have or what mood I’m in, and you can totally do the same for your perfect bowl.

Variation: I sometimes swap out brown rice for jasmine or basmati white rice—just adjust cooking times because white rice cooks faster. It still turns out deliciously creamy!
Shortcut: When time’s tight, shredded rotisserie chicken is a lifesaver and gives great flavor with less fuss.
Veggie Upgrade: Toss in chopped kale, spinach, or peas near the end of cooking for extra greens that brighten the soup.
Dairy-Free: Use coconut milk or additional chicken broth instead of evaporated milk for a lighter, dairy-free version.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Chicken Rice Soup Recipe

Step 1: Sear Your Chicken for Maximum Flavor

Heat the olive oil in a big soup pot over medium-high heat. I pat the chicken thighs dry and season with salt and pepper—that helps get a nice crust. Sear them about 2 minutes per side until golden brown. This step seals in juices and leaves those tasty drippings we’ll use for the veggies. If you choose breasts, the sear is optional, but it adds a nice touch.

Step 2: Build Your Flavor Base With Veggies

After removing the chicken, melt butter in the same pot over medium heat. Toss in diced onions, chopped celery, and carrots. I like to cook this mix until onions look translucent and veggies soften—about 5-7 minutes—while scraping up all those browned bits stuck to the bottom. Then, stir in minced garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes for just half a minute to release their aroma.

Step 3: Add the Good Stuff and Simmer

Return your chicken to the pot along with the brown rice, chicken bouillon, dried parsley, basil, thyme, oregano, ground mustard, paprika, dill, bay leaf, and chicken broth. Give everything a good stir, cover, and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, turn down the heat so it’s just simmering and cook until the chicken is tender enough to shred—usually between 12-15 minutes. If using breasts, expect it to take a bit longer.

Step 4: Shred Chicken & Finish Cooking the Soup

Carefully remove the chicken and shred it with forks once it’s cool enough to handle. Meanwhile, add chopped green beans to the simmering pot and cook, covered, for another 20-25 minutes—this lets the rice become tender and beans stay crisp-tender. Stir a few times so nothing sticks.

Step 5: Creamy Finish & Season to Taste

Remove the bay leaf, then stir in the shredded chicken and evaporated milk. If your soup feels too thick, adding a bit more broth helps thin it out to just how you like it. Give it a taste, then sprinkle in salt and pepper if needed. Don’t skimp on this last seasoning step—you want every spoonful balanced and satisfying.

Top Tip

From my many tries making this Creamy Chicken Rice Soup Recipe, I’ve gathered a few pointers that make all the difference between just “good” and truly delightful.

Sear the Chicken Well: Don’t rush this. Those browned bits left in the pot? Pure magic that give your soup extra depth.
Mind Your Simmer: Keep heat low once you add the broth to prevent rice from overcooking or the soup from sticking.
Add Greens Last: Toss in green beans (or other quick-cook veggies) at the end so they stay vibrant and don’t turn mushy.
Don’t Skip Final Seasoning: The soup can taste a bit muted before adding salt and pepper at the end—this is where it all comes together.

How to Serve Creamy Chicken Rice Soup Recipe

creamy chicken rice soup - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love finishing this soup with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for brightness—it just wakes up the whole bowl. Sometimes I add a squeeze of lemon for a bit of zing or a small handful of grated Parmesan if I want an extra cheesy touch. A drizzle of good olive oil right before serving also feels indulgent.

Side Dishes

Pair this soup with crusty bread or a buttery garlic toast to soak up every bit of that creamy goodness. A side salad with crisp greens and a light vinaigrette balances out the richness quite nicely if you want to keep things fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

For special gatherings, I’ve ladled this soup into rustic bread bowls—a fun way to serve and eat! Garnishing with colorful microgreens or edible flowers also turns an everyday soup into a centerpiece. Don’t be afraid to get creative with toppings like crispy bacon bits or toasted nuts for texture contrast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Creamy Chicken Rice Soup tightly covered in the fridge—it stays fresh and tasty for about 3-4 days. If you notice the rice thickening the soup overnight, just add a splash of broth or water when reheating.

Freezing

This soup freezes really well! I recommend freezing it without the evaporated milk, then stirring that in fresh after reheating to keep the creaminess vibrant. Package leftovers in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags and you’ll have quick comfort food ready anytime.

Reheating

Warm up gently on the stove over low-medium heat so the soup heats through without scorching. Stir often, and add broth or water if the soup feels too thick. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use white rice instead of brown rice?

Yes! You can substitute white rice in this recipe. White rice cooks faster, so add it later during simmering—about 15 minutes before the end—to prevent it from getting mushy. Adjust liquid levels slightly if needed.

What if I don’t have evaporated milk?

If you don’t have evaporated milk, you can replace it with additional chicken broth for a lighter soup, or use half-and-half or whole milk for a richer result. Coconut milk is also a good dairy-free alternative that adds a subtle sweetness.

Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! You can use the slow cooker by placing all ingredients except the evaporated milk and green beans inside. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Add green beans and evaporated milk about 30 minutes before serving to keep the veggies tender and creaminess intact.

How do I prevent the rice from getting mushy?

To keep the rice from getting mushy, maintain a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil during cooking. Also, avoid stirring too frequently once the rice has started cooking. Using brown rice helps since it holds its texture better, but if you use white rice, add it later in cooking for the best results.

Final Thoughts

Making this Creamy Chicken Rice Soup Recipe is one of those small acts of love that fills your kitchen with warmth and your belly with comfort. Every time I make it, I’m reminded how simple ingredients treated with care can create something really special. I hope when you try this soup, it becomes your reliable go-to cozy meal, just like it did for me. So grab your pot, pull up a chair, and enjoy that first, heavenly spoonful.