My 3 Key Ingredients for the Best Rotisserie Chicken Soup
Nothing beats a steaming bowl of homemade chicken soup when you want something warm and comforting! This amazing soup is perfect for busy families who crave that homemade taste without spending all day in the kitchen. The best part is how it transforms a simple rotisserie chicken into something truly special that feeds a crowd.
Recipe Details
Timing & Servings: Active Time: 40 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes, Serves: 10 people.
Nutrition Profile: Diabetes-Friendly, Nut-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, High-Protein, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): 260 Calories, 10g Fat, 20g Carbs, 26g Protein.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Rotisserie chicken: You’ll need 1 medium chicken that’s about 2 to 3 pounds. This is my favorite shortcut because all the hard work is already done for you!
Low-sodium chicken broth: Get 8 cups of the good stuff. The low-sodium version lets you control the salt level perfectly.
Fresh garlic: 6 cloves will give you that amazing depth of flavor. Don’t worry about peeling them all at once – we’ll use them at different times.
Celery stalks: 4 stalks diced into half-inch pieces will add that perfect crunch and fresh taste. I love how celery makes soup taste so homey!
Carrots: 2 medium carrots diced into half-inch pieces bring natural sweetness and beautiful color to your soup.
Onions: 2 medium onions cut into small chunks will build that amazing base flavor. Yellow or white onions work great here!
White rice: ⅔ cup makes this soup hearty and filling. Regular long-grain white rice is perfect.
Fresh lemon juice: ¼ cup brings bright, fresh flavor that makes everything pop. This is one of my secret ingredients!
Salt: Just ¼ teaspoon since we’re being careful with the sodium levels.
Fresh avocado: 1 ripe avocado diced up adds creamy richness to each bowl. This is another one of my special touches!
Fresh cilantro: 4 tablespoons finely chopped brings fresh, bright flavor that makes this soup special.
Scallions: 4 scallions finely chopped add a gentle onion flavor and pretty green color on top.
How to Make My 3 Key Ingredients for the Best Rotisserie Chicken Soup
Step 1: Pull apart your rotisserie chicken into legs, thighs, wings, and breasts. Put all the chicken pieces in a big stockpot. Pour in the chicken broth and add water until the chicken is covered by at least 1 inch.
Step 2: Add 4 whole garlic cloves to the pot. Toss in half of your diced celery and carrots. Add all the onion chunks except for one small piece – save that for later! Bring everything to a boil, then turn the heat down to keep it simmering.
Step 3: Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the meat falls right off the bones! Use a slotted spoon to carefully remove all the chicken pieces and cooked vegetables. Keep that beautiful broth in the pot!
Step 4: Throw away the bones and the cooked vegetables – they’ve done their job. Cut up all the chicken meat into small, bite-sized pieces and put it back in the broth.
Step 5: Finely chop your remaining 2 garlic cloves and add them to the pot. Add the rice, the rest of your celery and carrots, and that onion chunk you saved. Bring everything back to a boil over medium heat.
Step 6: Turn the heat down to keep it simmering and cook for about 20 minutes until the rice is nice and tender. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and salt. Taste it and add more salt if you think it needs it!
Step 7: Serve your soup hot with small bowls of diced avocado, chopped cilantro, and scallions on the side. Let everyone add their own toppings – it’s so fun!
Easy and Quick Rotisserie Chicken Soup Version
Want to make this even faster? You can skip making your own broth! Just use 10 cups of good quality chicken broth and add your shredded rotisserie chicken meat directly to it. Add all your vegetables, rice, and seasonings, then simmer for 25 minutes until everything is tender. You’ll still get amazing flavor in way less time!
Serving Ideas
This soup is basically a complete meal in a bowl with all that protein and vegetables! Serve it with some warm crusty bread or simple crackers on the side. A fresh green salad with light vinaigrette makes a perfect companion too.
Storage
Store your leftover soup in the fridge for up to 4 days in covered containers. To reheat, just warm it gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. The rice might absorb more liquid as it sits, so feel free to add a bit more broth when reheating.
Substitutions
No white rice? Brown rice works great too – just cook it a bit longer! You can swap the cilantro for fresh parsley if that’s what you have. Don’t have avocado? No worries – the soup is delicious without it too.
Pro Tips
- Save time: Buy pre-diced vegetables from the store if you’re in a hurry!
- Flavor boost: Add the lemon juice right before serving to keep it bright and fresh.
- Perfect texture: Don’t overcook the rice or it’ll get mushy.
- Make ahead: This soup tastes even better the next day!
FAQs
Can I use leftover turkey instead of chicken?
You bet! Leftover turkey works wonderfully in this recipe. Just use the same amount and follow all the same steps. It’s perfect for using up holiday leftovers!
What if I don’t like cilantro?
Sure! You can leave it out completely or swap it for fresh parsley, dill, or even green onions. The soup will still taste amazing without it.
Can I freeze this soup?
You can freeze it for up to 3 months, but the rice texture might change a bit when you thaw it. For best results, freeze it before adding the rice, then add fresh cooked rice when you reheat it.
How can I make this soup spicier?
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes while it’s simmering, or let people add hot sauce to their own bowls. A diced jalapeño with the other vegetables works great too!
I hope you love this comforting soup as much as my family does! Let me know how yours turns out – I always love hearing about your cooking adventures and any fun changes you make to the recipe.
