This is a very simple and delicious soup recipe. If you love a good bowl of soup all year round like me, this chicken and cilantro-lime rice soup is perfect for you.
As the leaves fall and the weather cools and I start wearing boots, coats and hats, I also start craving more of those warm meals that are easy to make and require nothing more than a little stove top cooking.
This Cilantro Rice and Chicken Soup is a dish I often make and is quite similar to my traditional Sopa de Arroz con Pollo, a recipe I’ve loved my entire life. The difference being a handful of fresh cilantro blended with the broth and a hint of lime juice added just before serving, resulting in an aromatic and fresh soup with a delicious cilantro and lime flavor.
If you like cilantro as much as I do, you are going to love this soup. But if you hate cilantro or you are one of those people who think cilantro taste like soap, feel free to replace it with parsley or basil.
Ingredients You'll Need to Make this Soup
The printable recipe card with exact amounts and cooking directions is below.
Broth: You can use homemade or store bought chicken broth or chicken stock.
Vegetables: Scallions, garlic, corn, lime, peas and carrots.
Herbs: You need fresh cilantro to make this soup, but if you don't like the flavor use parsley, thyme or basil.
Chicken: You can use chicken thighs, chicken breast or your favorite chicken pieces.
Spices: Cumin, salt and pepper.
Rice: I like to use long grain white rice, but you can replace it with basmati or jasmine rice if you want.
How to Make this Recipe
Place the chicken broth, cumin, cilantro, scallion and garlic in the blender and blend until well combined.
In a large pot place the broth mixture, chicken, corn, peas, carrots, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes.
Add the rice and continue simmering for 15 minutes more or until the rice is tender. Remove the chicken from the pot, then shred chicken into bite-size pieces and return it to the soup.
Season with salt and pepper. Stir in fresh cilantro and lime juice. Serve immediately
How to Store this Soup
Place in a sealed container in the fridge up to 3 days. You may need to add more chicken broth before reheating.
More Soup Recipes to Try
Caldo de Pollo con Papa (Chicken and Potato Soup)
Sancocho de Gallina (Chicken or Hen Sancocho)
Sopa de Letras con Pollo (Pasta and Chicken Soup)
Cilantro-Lime Rice and Chicken Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 cups of chicken broth
- 4 scallions chopped
- 2 cups chopped fresh cilantro leaves plus more for serving
- 3 garlic cloves chopped
- 1¼ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- ½ frozen corn kernels
- ½ cup peas
- ½ cup diced carrots
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup cilantro
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ cup long grain white rice
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
Instructions
- Place the chicken broth, cumin, cilantro, scallion and garlic in the blender and blend until well combined.
- In a large pot place the broth mixture, chicken, corn, peas, carrots, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Add the rice and continue simmering for 15 minutes more or until the rice is tender. Remove the chicken from the pot, then shred chicken into bite-size pieces and return it to the soup.
- Season with salt and pepper. Stir in fresh cilantro and lime juice. Serve immediately
Evelyne@cheapethniceatz
With today's weather, yeah I want soup! This is a great one and I am a huge fan of cilantro. The lime juice takes it a level up for sure.
Chris
Pinned this! I'm all about cilantro, one of my favorite flavors, and I love what you did with it here!
Carrie
Do I add cooked or uncooked rice?
Erica Dinho
Uncooked rice.
Carrie
Your directions do not include the cumin.
Erica Dinho
First step. I fixed it!
Carrie Campos
I've been making this soup for over a year now and it never disappoints!! My husband is Colombian and loves it!!! Thanks for the great recipe!!!
Daniel S.
Absolutely loved the perfect blend of flavors. Delicious! Simple and rewarding to make! Thank you!
Marla
I didn't have any carrot or peas on hand but I did have Avocado! Oh my goodness... I chopped up the avocado and put it in there and it made this soup very creamy and just lovely!
Anonymous
I loved this recipe and it was simple to make! I didnt have corn or peas but it still came out great!
Fay
This soup was a big hit with my family, I made it 2 weeks in a row. It is definitely in our winter/summer dinner rotation. So yummy!
Anonymous
This recipe transports me to my grandmother's house in Medellin. Thank you for sharing the recipe.