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Hearty Chicken Soup with Rice and Kale

I’ve been going through this thing.

Hearty Chicken Soup with Rice and Kale

It’s called All the Bad Bacteria.

The bad bugs have infiltrated my holy temple like Cary Elwes storming the castle.            ^^^ Not the best reference to Princess Bride ever, but we’ll take what we can get.

Anyhoo, I’ve been sick for like a week. Which never happens. Not ever. Never.

I won’t bore you with the details of being plagued by the cold from hell in July, but I tell ya, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle if I haven’t been sipping on chicken soup with rice to calm my aches. < – Not the best use of the phrase “I’ll be a monkey’s uncle” ever, but we’ll take what we can get.

Hearty Chicken Soup with Rice and Kale

‘Tis true, I’ve been throwing myself sickly sicko pity parties in the form of hearty soup, sweet potato fries, twangy country music, and every single tea under the sun. Yes, I did say sweet potato fries. Which probably won’t make sense as a cold remedy until your hand, foot, chest, and eyeball disease causes you to throw yourself on the floor like a ragdoll and pound the carpet with your fist, moaning “whyyyy life, whyyyyy? I need sweet potato fries.” Not that that happened (it totally happened). But at that point, you’ll understand the sweet tater fry portion of the pity party.

Speaking of tea… this tea, this tea, this tea and this tea. My favorites.

Hearty Chicken Soup with Rice and Kale

This recipe is everything you need to nurse yourself back to health. Or keep yourself full and happy as a lark. It’s thick, cozy, hearty, and filling. It makes enough soup for an army. Or one sick person who has put herself on All the Bad Bacteria House Arrest and has determined the ONLY THING SHE SHALL EAT is chicken soup (and sweet potato fries) until ALL THE BAD BUGS have exited the premises.

Meaning it makes a lot of soup. And all of it is equally delicious.

Hearty Chicken Soup with Rice and Kale

I put hot sauce all up on this cozy train. The hot sauce added a nice little WOOP! and helped clear out the sinuses. I’d recommend you do the same.

Take back your life. Sip on chicken soup with rice in July.

Hearty Chicken Soup with Rice and Kale

Hearty Chicken Soup with Rice and Kale is the perfect belly-pleasing meal whether you're under the weather or just craving soup!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2/3 cup brown rice, uncooked
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil, or dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
  • 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 medium-sized zucchini squash, chopped
  • 2 large boneless skinless chicken breast, chopped
  • 1 large head kale, stems removed, roughly chopped

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a large pot over medium high and sauté the onion until fragrant, about 3 minutes.
  • Add the chopped carrots, garlic, brown rice, oregano, basil, and salt. Sauté, stirring occasionally for 8 minutes.
  • Add the chicken broth and bring to a full boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 30 minutes.
  • Add the zucchini, chicken, and chopped kale leaves and cover the pot again. It will be very full, but the kale will cook down. Continue cooking until chicken and veggies are cooked through, about 10 minutes.
  • Serve heaping bowls of soup with your favorite hot sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1grams
Course: Soups, Stews, & Chilies
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken soup recipes, Chicken soup with rice recipe, healthy chicken soup
Servings: 4 Servings
Author: Julia

Recipe Rating




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Jo Ann Booth

Saturday 28th of October 2023

This was a lovely soup and got good reviews from my guests. Uncomplicated to prepare and hit the spot on a chilly evening. I added sauteed mushrooms to the recipe because I had some needing use, and also added coconut milk to my bowl, which I like.

Julia

Wednesday 1st of November 2023

I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Jo Ann! I love the idea of adding coconut milk for some creaminess - thanks for the brilliant idea! xo

Bonnie M.

Tuesday 21st of January 2020

This is 2020 and I just made your Hearty Chicken Soup recipe, which was delicious! Thank you for this yummy and easy dish ?

Julia

Wednesday 22nd of January 2020

Yaaaas! I'm thrilled to hear it, Bonnie! xoxo

Karen Wilkins

Friday 1st of April 2016

Hi there... I'm going to make this for some volunteers. I see that it serves 8 people - how many ounces for each serving? I'm making for 85 people. :) Thank you.

Danah

Sunday 16th of November 2014

I found your recipe on Pinterest while on the hunt for a "chicken, kale, rice soup". I no longer need to look anywhere else! This was absolutely delicious and just what I was looking to make on a cool Autumn night. I didn't have oregano on hand but it was still incredible and I omitted the hot sauce (although I will definitely add sriracha next time!). I also added white beans for some more heartiness!

Thank you for posting!

Danah ❤ Panache Offblast

Michelle

Thursday 4th of September 2014

Just to clarify...do you cook the chicken in the broth, or cook it beforehand? Going to make this tonight! Thanks for the recipe :)

Julia

Thursday 4th of September 2014

Hi Michelle, I'm so glad you're trying the soup! I chopped up the chicken while it was raw and added it in the soup raw :) Let me know if you have any other questions, and I hope you enjoy! :D

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