Ranch Chicken And Rice Soup Recipe

Easy Ranch Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe for Cozy Comfort

Comfort meets convenience in this ranch chicken and rice soup that promises to warm your soul on chilly evenings.

Creamy textures blend with hearty ingredients for a satisfying meal.

Weeknight dinners just got a delicious upgrade with minimal preparation time.

Tender chicken pieces nestle perfectly among fluffy rice grains, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.

Subtle ranch seasoning adds a zesty kick that makes every spoonful exciting.

Quick to assemble and even faster to devour, you’ll want to keep this recipe in your regular rotation.

Grab your favorite soup pot and let’s turn ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dinner.

Why Ranch Chicken and Rice Soup Warms the Soul

  • Comfort in a Bowl: Delivers ultimate comfort food satisfaction with rich, creamy texture and hearty ingredients.
  • Quick Kitchen Magic: Prepares rapidly with simple steps, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying meal without complicated techniques.
  • Versatile Flavor Boost: Combines classic ranch seasoning with traditional soup elements, creating a unique twist that appeals to both kids and adults, transforming an ordinary soup into something special.
  • Customizable Convenience: Allows easy adaptations like adding bacon bits or swapping protein, making it a flexible recipe that suits different dietary preferences and pantry contents.

Ingredients for Ranch Chicken and Rice Soup

Protein Base:
  • Shredded Chicken: Tender protein that provides hearty substance to the soup.
  • Chicken Broth: Flavorful liquid base that enhances the overall soup's depth and richness.
Vegetables:
  • Onion: Aromatic vegetable that creates a foundational flavor profile.
  • Carrot, Celery: Complementary vegetables that add texture and subtle sweetness to the soup.
Seasoning Blend:
  • Salt, Black Pepper, Paprika, Italian Seasoning: Classic spices that develop a well-rounded flavor combination.
  • Ranch Seasoning: Tangy and creamy seasoning mix that gives the soup a distinctive ranch flavor.
  • Garlic Powder: Provides a concentrated garlic essence without raw garlic chunks.
Additional Components:
  • White Rice: Starchy grain that adds substance and helps thicken the soup.
  • Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Cooking fat used for sautéing vegetables and building initial flavor.
Optional Topping:
  • Bacon Bits: Crispy garnish that offers a smoky and salty accent to the soup.
Soup Binder:
  • Condensed Soup: Creamy element that contributes to the soup's rich and smooth texture.

How to Make Ranch Chicken and Rice Soup

Step 1: Sauté Veggie Base

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high. Toss in chopped onions, carrots, and celery.

Cook these flavor-packed veggies until they become tender and slightly translucent, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 2: Spice It Up

Sprinkle in your seasonings:
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Italian seasoning
  • Ranch seasoning
  • Paprika

Stir everything together to create a fragrant blend that will make your kitchen smell amazing.

Step 3: Wake Up the Garlic

Add garlic powder and let it dance in the pot for 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to let it burn – we want depth of flavor, not bitterness.

Step 4: Build the Liquid Foundation

Pour in chicken broth and condensed soup. Whisk these together until they create a smooth, creamy base that’ll make your soup irresistible.

Step 5: Create the Soup Symphony

Toss in shredded chicken and white rice. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat.

Cover and let simmer for 15-20 minutes until rice is perfectly cooked and tender.

Step 6: Final Flavor Boost

Optional: Sprinkle bacon bits on top for extra crunch.

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Ladle into bowls and serve piping hot.

Expert Tips for Creamy Ranch Chicken and Rice Soup

  • Swap store-bought ranch seasoning with homemade blend for fresher, more vibrant flavor profile.
  • Use rotisserie chicken for quicker preparation and extra juicy meat texture.
  • Choose long-grain white rice to prevent mushy consistency and maintain ideal soup structure.
  • Consider low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and customize seasoning easily.
  • Add fresh herbs like parsley or chives at serving time for bright, crisp garnish that elevates overall taste.

Tasty Variations of Ranch Chicken and Rice Soup

  • Gluten-Free Ranch Chicken and Rice Soup: Replace condensed soup with gluten-free cream of chicken and use certified gluten-free rice and ranch seasoning mix.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute dairy-based ranch seasoning with dairy-free ranch blend and use olive oil-based cream alternative instead of condensed soup.
  • Low-Sodium Version: Select low-sodium chicken broth, reduce added salt, and use herb-based seasonings to maintain flavor profile without excess sodium.
  • Quinoa Power Soup: Swap white rice with protein-rich quinoa for enhanced nutritional value and create a slightly different texture in the soup.

Pairings That Complement Ranch Chicken and Rice Soup

  • Select a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the ranch and herb flavors in the soup, cutting through its creamy richness with bright, citrusy notes.
  • Top the soup with homemade garlic and herb croutons to add a delightful textural contrast and enhance the existing herb profile of the ranch chicken soup.
  • Create a light side salad with mixed greens, fresh dill, chives, and a tangy vinaigrette to balance the soup's creamy texture and provide a refreshing counterpoint.

How to Store Ranch Chicken and Rice Soup Properly

  • Store leftover soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, keeping the soup fresh and safe to consume later.
  • Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for 2-3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
  • Pour desired portion into a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.

FAQs

  • What ingredients make ranch chicken and rice soup unique?

The ranch seasoning and condensed soup give this soup a creamy, tangy flavor that sets it apart from traditional chicken soup, creating a rich and comforting dish with a unique taste profile.

  • Is this soup nutritionally balanced?

Yes, the soup provides a balanced meal with protein from chicken, carbohydrates from rice, and vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions, offering a well-rounded nutritional combination.

  • Can I make this soup if I'm short on time?

Absolutely! This recipe is quick and easy, taking approximately 30-35 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you want a fast, satisfying meal.

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Ranch Chicken And Rice Soup Recipe

Ranch Chicken And Rice Soup Recipe


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4.7 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Comforting ranch chicken and rice soup delivers hearty flavors from homestyle cooking. Warm ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a satisfying meal that nourishes both body and soul.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups chicken (cooked and shredded)
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2/3 cup white rice (uncooked)
  • 1 packet (1.0 oz) dry ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 can (10.75 oz) condensed cheddar cheese or cream of chicken soup
  • 2 carrots (peeled and finely diced)
  • 2 celery ribs (finely diced)
  • 1 onion (finely chopped)
  • 2 tbsps extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tsps Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • Optional: bacon bits (for garnishing)
  • Kosher salt (to taste)
  • Freshly ground pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large stock pot over medium-high temperature, sautéing onions, carrots, and celery until vegetables become translucent and tender, approximately 8-10 minutes.
  2. Integrate salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, ranch seasoning, and paprika into the vegetable mixture, stirring thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly.
  3. Add garlic powder and cook for 1-2 minutes, carefully preventing garlic from scorching.
  4. Pour chicken broth and condensed soup into the pot, whisking until ingredients blend smoothly.
  5. Add shredded chicken and white rice, raising heat to generate a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce temperature, cover pot, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until rice reaches complete tenderness.
  6. If desired, scatter bacon bits across soup surface. Taste and fine-tune seasonings as needed. Ladle into serving bowls while piping hot.

Notes

  • Enhance the soup’s creaminess by stirring in a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half during the final minutes of cooking.
  • Transform this recipe into a gluten-free version by using cornstarch instead of regular flour and selecting gluten-free ranch seasoning.
  • Boost protein content by adding extra shredded chicken or stirring in white beans for a heartier meal.
  • Prep vegetables in advance and store in the refrigerator to cut down on cooking time and make weeknight meal preparation faster and easier.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 230 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 540 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg
Mike Reynolds

Mike Reynolds

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Sustainable cooking techniques, Food photography

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech)
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Mike studied culinary arts with a strong focus on farm-to-table principles and sustainable cooking. His training emphasized the importance of fresh, local ingredients and environmentally responsible practices in the kitchen.


Mike’s food journey began deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where weekends at farmers’ markets and home-cooked meals sparked a lifelong obsession with simple, seasonal eating.
After earning his Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, he set out to bring farm-to-table cooking into everyday kitchens, without the fuss.
Mike’s philosophy is all about keeping it fresh, unfussy, and full of heart. When he’s not crafting new single-serving recipes, he’s hiking mountain trails, chatting with local farmers, or experimenting with wild ingredients in his backyard kitchen.

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