This may TRULY be my hands-down favorite soup of all time! It’s simple, straight-forward, easy to make, and perfect for making ahead of time. It’s also healthy and great for feeding a crowd!
The best part about this Lemon Chicken and Rice Soup? It’s anything but boring. With balancing flavors like lemon and parsley, hearty textures in the rice and split peas, and delicious chicken and veggies, this soup is one that I can keep on repeat. Even my toddler loves it!
RELATED: 15 Healthy Winter Soups
Table of contents
What you’ll need
The only equipment necessary for this cozy soup is a dutch oven or stock pot! Here are some of the main ingredients you’ll need for this easy chicken lemon rice soup recipe:
Carrots – Sliced or chopped carrots are delicious in this recipe! Frozen carrots would also work, but would need to be added in later in the recipe.
Green Split Peas – I love the taste and texture of green split peas in this soup! Dry lentils are also a great substitution.
Chicken Broth – Chicken or vegetable broth are both great options in this recipe.
Rice – I used Jasmine Rice, but any type of long grain rice works wonderfully! Another healthy substitution is to use Brown Rice instead.
Chicken – My favorite method for this soup is to use rotisserie chicken! Another option is to roast a chicken or use baked chicken breast in this recipe.
Lemon – The flavors of fresh lemon juice in this recipe are SO yummy!
Parsley – Balance the bright lemon flavors with wholesome, fresh parsley. Dried parsley is also a great option!
How to make Chicken Lemon Rice Soup
This Chicken Lemon and Rice Soup is truly one of the easiest recipes EVER. You’ll love how hearty, healthy, and delicious it is! Here’s a rundown of how to make it:
1. Cook the onion in a dutch oven.
2. Cook the carrots.
2. Add in the water, broth, green split peas, and rice.
4. Add in the cooked chicken, lemon, parsley, and seasoning.
Making this Chicken Lemon Rice Soup in the crockpot
I love making this Chicken Lemon Rice Soup in a dutch oven, but it can also be made in the crockpot! To cook this recipe in the slow cooker:
- Place everything but the rice and chicken in the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours.
- Add in the rice and cooked chicken.
- Cook on high for 1 more hour or low for 2 more hours (or until the veggies are soft and the rice is fully cooked).
Make it creamy
Take this healthy chicken soup to the next level by making it creamy! Mix about 1/4 cup of plain yogurt with about 1/4 cup of warm water and whisk until smooth. Pour into the soup when you add in the lemon juice at the end!
Another option for making Chicken Lemon Rice Soup creamy is to whisk 2 eggs with the lemon juice and add it in. This also adds nutrition!
Lemon Rice Soup variations
This recipe has so many variations! You can really make it your own. Here are some of my favorite ideas:
- Add celery along with the carrots.
- Use bay leaves along with the parsley.
- Mix in peas for more delicious nutrition.
- Adjust lemon juice to taste!
More healthy soup recipes you’ll love
- Easy Turkey Noodle Soup
- The BEST Beef Stew Recipe
- Easy Weeknight Vegetarian Borscht
- Hearty Vegan Lentil Soup
- Slow Cooker Skinny Chicken Tortilla Soup
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Chicken Lemon Rice Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp avocado oil
- 1/2 small yellow onion (chopped)
- 4 large carrots (sliced)
- 1 cup green split peas
- 2 cups water
- 3-4 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups rice
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded)
- 1 medium lemon (juiced)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
- salt/pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- In a dutch oven or large stock pot, heat up the oil over medium heat.
- Add in the chopped onion and sliced carrots and cook for about 5 minutes.
- Add in the split peas, water, and broth and bring to a simmer.
- Let simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add in the rice and simmer for another 10-15 minutes (or until split peas are soft and rice is fluffy).
- Add in the chicken, lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Let simmer for another 5 minutes (or until everything is evenly hot).
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Adjust the amount of broth to taste!
Wanda says:
This looks like the ultimate comfort soup. I know my family is going to love it when I make it!
Freya says:
Delicious and such a comforting recipe
Jen Sim says:
Wow! This dish looks so delicious and comforting. Lemon and chicken is always a winning combination. I’m adding this to my weekly dinner rotation asap!
Sunrita Dutta says:
Just so soothing and amazing
Elizabeth says:
Such a great healthy, weeknight meal! Really easy to make and my whole family loved it!
Angela Cardamone @marathonsandmotivation.com says:
I just loved this easy comfort food recipe. Can’t wait to make it again as my kids enjoyed it too!!!
Nayomi says:
This sound like a great winter into spring soup. Warming and cosy with aromantic lemonly flavoured chicken
Lesli Schwartz says:
Lemon and chicken is my all-time favorite combo, especially in this healthy soup. This really warms my tummy!
Natalie says:
Delicious soup. One of my favorite. My son loves this one too. I will give your recipe a try next time I’m making Chicken Rice Soup. It looks delicious!
Jacqueline Debono says:
I’ve been feeling under the weather last few days so decided I needed chicken soup. This was perfect! Will be making it again for sure!
Julia says:
Yum, this was so good especially since it started raining where I am and temperatures have been freezing! The lemon adds such a great zest!
Stine Mari says:
This chicken lemon rice soup was just what I needed today! Full of healthy vegetables and filling rice. The freshness from the lemon is perfect.
Linda says:
Yum! Love this chicken lemon rice soup. It’s like getting a big warm hug in a bowl!
Addison says:
This soup is so hearty and flavorful! I love the chicken and lemon combo. So yummy!!
Deborah Brooks says:
I love lemon in soups! Looks refreshing and super easy for a weeknight meal