Chicken Soup with Rice: A Recipe for Comfort and Food

This Chicken Soup with Rice Recipe is classic comfort food. It makes an easy, healthy weeknight meal, but it's also the perfect pick-me-up! 

This recipe was originally published on Cup of Jo. 

Sometimes I find myself wishing for a Mary Poppins moment. The wind blows uncomfortably and I start looking to the heavens for a spoonful of sugar to show up on my doorstep.

I love the stories, many of them true I'm sure, of unexpected angels in just the nick of time. The person who shows up on the doorstep with the loaf of bread just prayed for. The friendly phone call that rings through just when you needed it. Comfort when you hoped for it most but hardly expected it to happen.

I've had what feels like more than my fair share of dark hours and lonely days, overwhelming doubt and worry. I've also met Mary Poppins in her varying forms - an unexpected package from a friend that brings cheer after a sleepless night, a passage in a book that answers long pondered questions, an email expressing gratitude that make my heart swell.

Sometimes, comfort comes and makes the medicine go down. However, growing up means realizing more often than not, the only person around to measure out the sugar is You.

Other people don't always understand, or notice, or follow the mysterious prompting that would lead them to your door during the storm. Sometimes it's just you and the wind.

I spent the past week waiting for a sign the Mary Poppins was on her way. I kept looking for the magical moment that would assure me that my prayers are heard. I waited, but only until I realized that I have a carpet bag of my own.

No one showed up at my door to make me feel better; instead, I remembered to be gentle, to be patient, and to prescribe a little sugar for myself. From the magic carpet bag came many cups of homemade Chai Tea, a big batch of Chicken Soup with Rice, and permission to take a nap (more than once a day if necessary). It's doing the trick, perhaps not with the speed of a Poppins' finger snap, but brightening the day nonetheless.

I'm not a cynic. Not at all. I don't think we should always struggle on our own, but inevitably we all find ourselves alone. Sometimes it's up to you to make the phone call and ask for help, and sometime's it's up to you to pull out the magic carpet bag.

My real prayer, after a week of feeling very alone, is that I can be a Mary Poppins for someone else. May we all find ways to comfort ourselves and be the answer to someone else's prayers.

This Chicken Soup with Rice is comfort food of a high and healthy order. It's a good place to start.

Yield: 6

Chicken Soup with Rice: A Recipe for Comfort and Food

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Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 quarts chicken broth
• 1 cup wild rice
• 1 ½ cups chopped cooked chicken
• 1 ½ cups finely chopped vegetables (carrots, celery, red bell pepper, string beans all work well)
• Fine grain sea salt, to taste

Instructions

1. In a large pot, bring the broth and wild rice to a boil. Reduce heat, cover-pot, and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until rice is tender.
2. Stir in chicken and vegetables and simmer for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Season to taste with sea salt.