Ranch chicken and rice soup is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines the zesty flavors of ranch seasoning with tender chicken and hearty rice. Here’s a basic recipe to make ranch chicken and rice soup:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced
- 1 cup white or brown rice (uncooked)
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 packet (about 1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup milk or heavy cream (for a creamier soup)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for sautéing
- Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat a bit of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
- Add Chicken: Add the diced chicken to the pot and cook until it’s no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
- Season: Sprinkle the ranch seasoning mix over the chicken and vegetables. Stir well to coat everything with the seasoning.
- Add Rice and Broth: Pour in the uncooked rice and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the chicken is tender.
- Creamy Option: If you want a creamier soup, you can add 1 cup of milk or heavy cream at this point. Stir it in and let it simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Adjust the thickness of the soup by adding more milk or cream if desired.
- Season to Taste: Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed. Keep in mind that the ranch seasoning mix can be salty, so you may not need much additional salt.
- Serve: Ladle the ranch chicken and rice soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired.
- Enjoy: Serve the soup hot and enjoy the comforting flavors of ranch, chicken, and rice.
This soup is easy to customize. You can add other vegetables like peas, corn, or spinach, and you can adjust the thickness by adding more or less milk or cream. It’s a hearty and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a comforting meal.