Soulful Cajun Chicken & Rice Soup

Welcome to the heart of comfort food! This incredibly flavorful Cajun Comfort Chicken and Rice Soup is more than just a meal; it’s a warm embrace in a bowl. Designed for busy weeknights, this recipe comes together in under 45 minutes, delivering a zesty, rich, and utterly satisfying experience that will quickly become a family favorite.

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Curious to see how quickly this delightful soup comes together? You can watch the full cooking process and see just how easy it is to whip up this comforting dish! Watch the video here!

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of soup to bring warmth and joy to your table. Here at The Beach House Kitchen, we’re fully immersed in soup season, and my soup pot has been working overtime! From robust chilis and creamy chowders to light, brothy concoctions, we’re exploring all the wonderful possibilities the season offers. But today, we’re diving into a recipe that combines the soulful flavors of Cajun cuisine with classic comfort: our creamy and savory Cajun Comfort Chicken and Rice Soup.

This exquisite Cajun Comfort Chicken and Rice Soup is brought to you with the help of my esteemed friends at Tony Chachere’s. This recipe marks the grand finale in our series of four delicious recipes for 2021, all crafted using Tony’s exceptional line of products. But fear not, Cajun food enthusiasts! Our partnership with Tony’s will continue into 2022, promising even more exciting and flavorful Cajun-inspired dishes for you to savor. Get ready for a new year filled with bold tastes and easy-to-make meals that capture the spirit of Louisiana cooking.

For anyone familiar with my kitchen, you’ll know that Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning is a true pantry staple. It’s my secret weapon for elevating the flavor profile of virtually any dish I create. This seasoning isn’t just a spice blend; it’s a testament to the vibrant culinary traditions of Louisiana. Its unique combination of bold and zesty notes imparts an irresistible zing, transforming ordinary ingredients into extraordinary meals. Whether it’s morning eggs, hearty stews, grilled meats, roasted chicken, delicate seafood, or fresh salads, Tony’s seasoning brings an authentic Cajun kick that makes every bite memorable. The versatility is truly endless, and the results are consistently delicious, making it an indispensable part of my cooking repertoire.

Our Cajun Comfort Chicken and Rice Soup is the epitome of hearty and satisfying. This creamy chicken soup, enriched with tender rice, is loaded with succulent shredded chicken, a colorful medley of fresh vegetables, all enveloped in a perfectly balanced, creamy broth. It’s rich and full-bodied without being overly heavy, striking the ideal balance for a comforting meal. My family, especially “Mr. Picky,” has enjoyed this soup countless times for both lunch and dinner, always accompanied by warm, fluffy biscuits – generously slathered with butter, of course! It’s the kind of meal that sticks to your ribs and leaves you feeling utterly content.

Contents

Cajun Comfort Chicken and Rice Soup Ingredients

butter
yellow onion
celery
carrots
garlic
all-purpose flour
Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning
fresh thyme leaves
diced pimentos
low-sodium chicken broth
milk
white rice
shredded rotisserie chicken

Beyond its incredible taste, you’ll adore how effortlessly this soup comes together. To make meal prep a breeze, I highly recommend using pre-shredded rotisserie chicken, readily available at most markets. This simple shortcut shaves valuable minutes off your cooking time without compromising on flavor or quality. For those looking ahead to upcoming holidays, especially Thanksgiving, this recipe offers fantastic flexibility: feel free to substitute the chicken with any leftover shredded turkey from your festive bird. It’s a wonderful way to repurpose holiday leftovers into a brand-new, equally delicious meal that continues the spirit of comfort and warmth.

The cooking process is beautifully straightforward, ensuring a delicious outcome even for novice cooks. You’ll begin by gently sautéing your aromatic vegetables—onions, celery, and carrots—until they achieve a tender softness, releasing their sweet essence. Next, a touch of all-purpose flour is added to create a foundational roux, thickening the soup to a luscious consistency, followed by the star of the show: Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning, along with fragrant thyme leaves for an earthy balance. Diced pimentos, chicken broth, and milk are then incorporated, and the mixture is simmered to allow the flavors to meld and the broth to thicken beautifully. Finally, the pre-cooked shredded chicken and rice are stirred in, heated through just long enough to warm everything perfectly without overcooking. This method ensures maximum flavor with minimal fuss, culminating in a soup that’s both quick to prepare and incredibly satisfying to eat.

This Cajun Comfort Chicken and Rice Soup is truly a soul-satisfying dish, the kind of “stick-to-your-bones” comfort food that every home cook needs in their repertoire, especially during cooler months. It’s robust, creamy, and packed with flavor, making it an ideal choice for a comforting family dinner or a cozy lunch. Don’t let another chilly evening pass without experiencing this delightful blend of Cajun zest and classic comfort. Head to your pantry, grab your essential Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning, and get ready to transform simple ingredients into a truly memorable meal. Enjoy every spoonful of this wonderfully warming and deeply flavorful soup!

Essential Cook’s Notes & Tips for Cajun Comfort Chicken and Rice Soup

Turkey Substitution: With the festive season often leaving us with delicious leftovers, this recipe is incredibly adaptable. If you’re preparing this around Thanksgiving or Christmas, feel free to substitute the shredded rotisserie chicken with an equal amount of leftover shredded turkey. The rich flavors of turkey blend seamlessly with the Cajun seasoning and creamy broth, offering a delightful twist that prevents food waste and extends the holiday cheer.
Thyme Options: Fresh thyme leaves provide a bright, aromatic quality that truly enhances the soup’s profile. However, if fresh thyme isn’t available, dried thyme works wonderfully as well. As a general rule for converting fresh to dried herbs, use about one-third the amount of dried herbs compared to fresh. For this recipe, if opting for dried thyme, use 1 ½ teaspoons to achieve a similar depth of flavor.
Serving Suggestions: While this soup is a complete meal on its own, it pairs beautifully with certain accompaniments. As mentioned, warm, buttery biscuits are a perennial favorite, perfect for soaking up every last drop of the creamy broth. Other excellent choices include crusty French bread, cornbread, or a light side salad to add a refreshing contrast. For a touch of extra flair, garnish with fresh parsley or a dash of hot sauce if you desire an extra kick!
Meal Prep & Storage: This soup is fantastic for meal prep. It reheats wonderfully on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, the soup freezes well for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. You might need to add a splash of milk or broth when reheating if it has thickened too much.
Vegetable Variations: While carrots, celery, and onions form the classic mirepoix base, feel free to experiment with other vegetables. A handful of chopped bell peppers (green, red, or yellow) would add extra flavor and color, leaning even more into a traditional Cajun trinity. Diced potatoes or corn could also be added for extra heartiness.

More Delicious Soup Recipes to Enjoy

Looking for more ways to warm up with a bowl of comforting soup? Explore these other delightful recipes:

African Peanut Sweet Potato Stew
Italian Wedding Soup
Creamy Broccoli Soup

Cajun Comfort Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe

Cajun Comfort Chicken and Rice Soup

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Servings: 8 servings

This Cajun Comfort Chicken and Rice Soup is a total meal in a bowl! The recipe takes just about 30 minutes from start to finish and has a zesty Cajun flavor that’s sure to delight your taste buds.

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 30 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

4 Tbsp. butter, divided
1 small yellow onion, chopped
¾ cup celery, chopped
¾ cup carrots, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. Tony Chachere’s Original Creole seasoning
1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
1 4-oz. jar diced pimentos, drained
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 ½ cups milk
2 cups cooked white rice
2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

Instructions

In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, celery, carrots, and minced garlic to the pot. Cook, stirring frequently, for 8-10 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened and become aromatic.
Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the pot and allow it to melt. Stir in the all-purpose flour, Tony Chachere’s Original Creole seasoning, and fresh thyme leaves. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly, to cook out the raw flour taste and create a roux base.
Pour in the drained diced pimentos, low-sodium chicken broth, and milk. Stir well to combine, ensuring no lumps remain. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes, or until the soup base has thickened to your desired consistency.
Finally, add the cooked white rice and shredded rotisserie chicken to the pot. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken and rice are thoroughly heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Ladle the warm Cajun Comfort Chicken and Rice Soup into bowls and serve immediately. Garnish with fresh parsley or extra thyme, if desired. Enjoy this hearty and comforting meal!

Notes

With the Thanksgiving holiday just around the corner, feel free to substitute any leftover turkey for the chicken in this recipe.
You can use fresh thyme leaves or dried for this recipe. If you opt to use dried, use 1 ½ teaspoons.
As mentioned above, I love to serve our soup with some warm biscuits on the side.

Nutrition

Keyword: Chicken, Comfort Food, rice, Soup, Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning

Cuisine: American, Cajun, Creole

Course: Soup

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