½ tsp each: dried parsley, oregano, thyme, mustard powder
¼ tsp pepper
Soup:
2 tbsp butter
1small yellow onion, diced
½ cup diced carrots
2 celery ribs, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
5 cups chicken broth
1tsp soy sauce
1tsp ]hot sauce
1 ¼ lbs bone-in chicken breast (or chicken thighs)
Fresh parsley for garnish
Rice:
1 ½ cups chicken broth
¾ cup white long-grain rice (uncooked) or 2 ¼ cups cooked rice
Instructions
Prepare the Soup:
In a large soup pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for another 1 minute.
Stir in the seasonings (basil, parsley, oregano, thyme, mustard powder, pepper), soy sauce, hot sauce, chicken, and chicken broth.
Bring the soup to a gentle simmer (avoid boiling to keep the chicken tender) and cover partially. Let it cook for about 15-20 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked. Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and discard the bones. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
Cook the Rice:
In a separate medium saucepan, bring 1 ½ cups of chicken broth to a boil. Add the rice, submerge it in the liquid, and bring back to a boil.
Cover tightly, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for an additional 10 minutes.
The rice will yield about 2 ¼ cups. If you’re using pre-cooked rice, add it directly to the soup instead of cooking separately.
Assemble and Serve:
Taste the soup and add salt if needed.
Spoon the rice into bowls and ladle the soup on top. If you prefer, you can add the rice directly to the soup pot.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Chicken: Bone-in chicken breast or thighs work best for adding flavor to the broth. Boneless chicken can also be used.
Slow Cooker Method: For a hands-off approach, cook the soup in a slow cooker on low for 6 hours. Shred the chicken at the end and stir it back in.
Storage: Store soup and rice separately in airtight containers. The soup lasts in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months. Rice also freezes well on its own.