Description
This Mexican Chicken Rice Soup is a warm, comforting, and flavor-packed dish perfect for a quick dinner or healthy meal prep. Loaded with tender shredded chicken, hearty rice, and vibrant vegetables simmered in a spiced tomato broth, it’s one of those easy recipes that delivers big on taste without requiring complicated steps. Whether you’re looking for cozy dinner ideas or a nourishing one-pot meal, this soup is a satisfying choice.
Ingredients
1 cup cooked shredded chicken
3/4 cup white rice
6 cups chicken broth
1 can diced tomatoes
1 medium onion chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
1 bell pepper chopped
2 carrots chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
2 tablespoons lime juice
Instructions
1. Prepare all ingredients by chopping vegetables, shredding chicken, and rinsing rice until water runs clear.
2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and sauté onion until soft and translucent.
3. Add garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
4. Stir in bell pepper and carrots, cooking for a few minutes until slightly softened.
5. Add cumin, chili powder, and paprika, stirring to coat vegetables and release aroma.
6. Pour in diced tomatoes and chicken broth, stirring well to combine.
7. Add rinsed rice and bring mixture to a gentle boil.
8. Reduce heat and let simmer, stirring occasionally until rice is tender.
9. Add shredded chicken and cook until heated through.
10. Season with salt and black pepper, then stir in cilantro and lime juice before serving.
Notes
Rinse the rice thoroughly to prevent the soup from becoming overly thick or starchy.
Add the chicken toward the end if it is already cooked to keep it tender.
Adjust spice levels by adding jalapeños or extra chili powder if you prefer more heat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 55mg