When you’re in the mood for a nourishing bowl that warms you from the inside out, chicken and rice lentil soup hits the spot. It’s a timeless comfort food, packed with protein, fiber, and flavor, and it’s one of those meals that’s just as perfect for chilly weather as it is for a simple, satisfying dinner any day of the year.
This soup brings together tender chunks of chicken, fluffy rice, and hearty lentils in a light yet savory broth. Each spoonful is balanced, mild yet flavorful, filling but not heavy. The chicken provides lean protein, while the lentils add a plant-based boost of fiber and nutrients. The rice rounds it out, giving the soup a bit of body and that cozy, comforting texture everyone loves.
What makes this soup even better is how simple it is to prepare. Start by sautéing onions, carrots, and celery in a large pot until soft and fragrant. Add garlic, a pinch of thyme or bay leaf, and your favorite seasonings. Then stir in the chicken (either raw to cook in the broth or pre-cooked for a quick version), uncooked lentils, rice, and plenty of chicken broth. Let it simmer until everything is tender and the flavors have melded together beautifully.
You can use any type of lentil, brown, green, or red. Brown and green hold their shape better, while red ones break down and thicken the broth. Feel free to adjust the texture depending on your preference. The same goes for the rice, white cooks quickly, while brown adds an earthy taste and extra fiber.
Finish it with a squeeze of lemon for brightness, or a sprinkle of fresh herbs for color and freshness. Whether you’re meal prepping or making a big batch to share, chicken and rice lentil soup is one of those dishes that gets even better the next day.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts boneless and skinless
- 1 cup brown rice
- 1 cup lentils
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 carrots chopped
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp thyme dried
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the chicken breasts and cook until browned on both sides, about 2 minutes per side.
- Add the chicken broth, lentils, rice, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover the pot.
- Simmer for 1 hour, or until the lentils and rice are tender and the chicken is cooked through.
- Remove the chicken breasts from the pot and shred or chop into small pieces. Return the chicken to the pot.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
This soup was amazing! So filling and comforting. Perfect for cold days. Will definitely make again!
This is a meal-prep win. Holds up well for leftovers and reheats without getting weird. I portioned it and it lasted all week.
Pretty good, but my rice took longer than the soup time said. I ended up simmering closer to 75 minutes. Still tasty though, especially after shredding the chicken.
I find it hard to believe lentils and rice cook in just an hour! Took me longer.
I had the same experience! My rice took ages too. Maybe it depends on the stove or how you measure the grains? Not sure, but I just let it simmer longer next time.
Tasty. I added some chicken flavor powder. More flavor! 🤤
I don’t know, it didn’t taste as good as I expected. Maybe I forgot something? The rice was mushy.
I think the lentils made it too thick. Maybe it’s just me?
Kinda basic, you know? Like onion, carrots, celery, garlic, herbs—still tastes like every soup ever lol. If you add something like bay leaf or chili flakes it’ll pop.
Totally agree on the flavor boost—bay leaf is a game changer. I also toss in chili flakes sometimes and it really wakes it up. Even with the “same soup base” veggies, the seasoning makes it different.
I followed it exactly and it came out kind of mushy—mostly the rice. Maybe my brown rice was old or I over-simmered. Flavor was decent, texture was off for me.
Not bad, but I found it a bit bland until I went heavy on black pepper and salt. Could use more seasoning options like bay leaf or smoked paprika.
I followed it pretty closely but mine took longer than an hour. The rice wasn’t quite tender at 60 minutes, so I simmered another 20-ish. Still tasty though, and the flavor base is great.
Made something similar before and it came out super filling. I’d probably add a bay leaf, but the base here looks solid.
This is one of those recipes that looks too simple but tastes like you worked all day. Great pantry meal. My kids asked for seconds (rare!).
I didn’t have lentils, so I used split peas instead. It didn’t taste quite right, I think I messed it up.
Easy to make and delicious. Will definitely make again!
I’m a little nervous about simmering 1 hour—brown rice can be stubborn. Did you mean 1 hour total or 1 hour after it comes to a boil?
Good question! I simmer it on low after it reaches a boil—so: bring to a boil first, then turn down and cover for 1 hour total simmer time. Brown rice can be stubborn, but 1 hour works here with the amount of broth.
I was skeptical but my kids loved it! Next time I might add some spicy stuff!
I dunno, adding spicy stuff might ruin it. It was good enough without, you know? Just my opinion.
That’s awesome to hear! Spicy sounds like a great idea, my kids love heat too!
This recipe is a lifesaver! The flavors are amazing, and it’s so hearty. Will definitely make it again!
I don’t know, I followed the recipe but my soup came out too bland. 🤷♂️
I accidentally used 1 cup of rice and 1 cup of lentils like the recipe says… and then realized I forgot to chop the celery. Still good, kinda rustic. Would recommend adding celery though.
Honestly that sounds like it turned out pretty well—rustic soup is the best kind. I’ve definitely forgotten celery before and it still hits. Love that you’d recommend it though!
Wait, are you sure it’s 1 cup rice + 1 cup lentils? I tried that once and it was way too thick/ mushy for me. Maybe I cooked it too long? Still, if you forgot celery, at least the flavor didn’t fall apart.
Great recipe! I added some jalapeños for a kick and it turned out amazing! 🌶️👍
Sounds delicious! I might try that too. I’ve always loved a bit of spice in my soup! 🌶️
Absolutely loved this soup! Super filling and comforting. A perfect meal for a chilly evening. Will definitely make it again.
Greasy. Why would you use olive oil for this? Not a fan.
Soup is good, but I think I’m allergic to something in it. Just be careful!
Chicken & rice? Lentils too? How is this even a thing?? Lol, but I tried it and it was tasty!
Lentils?! That seems weird with chicken and rice… I might pass.
Haha, right? It’s a wild combo but totally works! Glad you liked it!
I hate lentils. This was a terrible choice!!!
I get it, lentils aren’t for everyone! But this soup sounds yummy without them too. Just skip the lentils next time!
But lentils are so healthy! You could try swapping them out for pasta or something instead.
Sooo good! Easy recipe too! I’m not a great cook but followed it step by step. A little sprinkle of chili flakes made it pop!
1 cup brown rice + 1 cup lentils with only 6 cups broth… kinda worried it’ll be too thick or undercooked. Did you have to add more liquid?
I think 6 cups broth is enough for that amount of rice + lentils. Since it’s covered and simmered on low, it should cook through without getting brick-thick. If it looks too thick, just splash in a bit more broth/water.
idk about cooking chicken only 2 minutes per side and then simmering… I was scared it wouldnt be cooked through but it ended up fine. Just make sure you actually shred after it’s cooked. Tasty!
2 min per side seems kinda short though… like are we sure it cooks all the way? I usually simmer longer before adding shred. But glad yours turned out tasty!
I was nervous about the 2 minutes per side too, but your tip about shredding makes sense. Thanks for the reassurance!
Chicken and rice soup? Sounds weird to me. Why lentils? They don’t fit, just sayin’.
Made this last night and it turned out super comforting. The lentils + brown rice combo is perfect—hearty without being heavy. I added a splash of lemon at the end and it really brightened everything.
Super easy and delicious! Perfect for a cold day. 😊 Thanks for sharing!
Good filling meal, but next time I’m using more garlic. Needs punch! 😋
Not bad at all, but it was a little bland until I added extra pepper. Next time I’ll add a pinch of cumin or chili flakes for more depth.
Too much work for soup. Just get a can from the store, it’s quicker and easier!
The ingredients list is missing the seasonings! What do I do? 😱
Super easy to make, but it was a bit bland for my taste. I added hot sauce!
Really? I found it flavorful enough. Maybe you just like spicier stuff! 😂
I totally agree! It needed a flavor boost for sure. Hot sauce is a great idea! Next time I’m trying that too!
Great recipe! Didn’t have lentils, so I used chickpeas. Still yummy! 😊
Honestly, this soup is just okay. Tastes kinda bland and didn’t wow me. Maybe needs more spices?
I totally get that! A lil’ more garlic or some red pepper flakes might kick it up a notch!
I made this while working from home. It was easy and I loved the smell in my kitchen.
I don’t understand how you think this smells good. My kitchen was a disaster! Maybe I did something wrong?
I’ve tried this recipe too! It’s super simple and the chicken turns out so juicy. Love it!
Chicken and rice soup? Classic! Always a win in my book.
Totally agree! This recipe is gonna be super comforting, especially on a cold day. Can’t wait to try it! 🥰
I followed the recipe exactly, but the lentils were still hard after an hour. What did I do wrong?
Maybe you used different lentils? Brown lentils usually need a good hour, but some kinds cook faster. Try soaking them beforehand next time.
Delicious! Perfect for a cold day. I added some hot sauce for extra kick!
Yummy! I ain’t much of a cook but I followed this and it came out real good! Thx!
Too much rice! Next time I’ll use half, it really overpowered everything. 👎
Bleh. This was too bland for my taste. Didn’t really enjoy it. Not making it again!
Made this tonight—super cozy. The mix of lentils + brown rice gives it great texture, and the thyme/oregano really rounds it out. I’ll definitely make again.
This recipe is a lifesaver! My kids devoured it. I added some spinach and it was still yum! Thanks for sharing!
I don’t know, soup with chicken and rice? Sounds weird to me. Probably wouldn’t make it.
So glad your kids liked it! Spinach is a great add, will try that next time! 🌟
Soup soup soup! I just love soups. Gona eat this all week long!
Soups are the best! I could eat them every day too! This one sounds amazing, can’t wait to try it!
I’m not sure about this one… it seems like a lot of ingredients for a soup. Are lentils really that good?
Not gonna lie, the thyme and oregano smell a little “Italian soup” to me. I like it, but I expected more classic chicken soup vibes. Next time I’ll go lighter on herbs.
Totally get that—thyme + oregano can lean more “Italian-ish” than classic chicken soup. If you want that traditional vibe, you could swap one of the herbs (or use just thyme) and maybe add a bay leaf. Also next time I’d start with half the oregano and adjust at the end—easy win.
This sounds like the perfect cozy soup. I like that it’s hearty but not too complicated—brown rice + lentils is a great combo.
Try adding some spinach at the end for extra healthy. 😍
This soup is amazing! So hearty and filling. My kids loved it!
Easy and delicious! I added some crushed red pepper for a kick. Family loved it!
This soup was delicious! The flavors mingled so well. Even my kids loved it!
Chicken and rice soup. What else is new? Not impressed. 🤷♂️
This soup is so comforting! I love how everything just blends together. Five stars from me! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Smells amazing while cooking. I used garlic powder instead of fresh bc I’m lazy—still tasty. 10/10 comfort food.
Seems like a lot of steps for soup. I dunno if I’ll try it tbh.
I’m skeptical about the ratio. 1 cup lentils + 1 cup brown rice in 6 cups broth feels like it could get thick or take forever. Mine was thick by the end, but edible and flavorful.
Easy to make but I wish I had more flavors. Needs something more, like cheese maybe? 🧀
I don’t get why everybody loves this recipe. It tasted kinda bland. Maybe I did something wrong? 🤷♀️
Not gonna lie, I questioned it at first because chicken breasts can get dry… but shredding them back in should help. Going to try!
My kids loved it and asked for seconds, so that’s a win. I cut the chicken into smaller pieces earlier so it cooked faster. Very reliable recipe!
This soup is amazing! So hearty and filling. My kids loved it!
Good comfort food, but 1 hour felt a little short for my rice/lentil combo (maybe my simmer was weaker). I ended up going closer to 75 minutes. Still delicious though.
Hmm 1 hour always seems fine to me 🤷♂️ maybe your pot runs cold? I always keep it at a real simmer, not barely bubbling.
Totally agree—brown rice especially can be stubborn. I’ve done 70-80 minutes too depending on how low I keep the simmer. Glad it still worked out!
Great flavor already just reading it. The thyme and oregano with onion/celery is such a good profile. Yum.
Right?! The thyme/oregano combo with onion and celery really makes it taste “from scratch.” I’m definitely trying this—do you think dried herbs are enough or should I add a little fresh at the end?
Not sure about the 2 tbsp olive oil—seemed like a lot. My pot got kinda greasy. I’d use less next time, but the veggies and garlic were great.
Question: 1 cup brown rice + 1 cup lentils in 6 cups broth feels like a LOT of grains. I was nervous it would turn into mush. It didn’t, but I did have to stir occasionally so it wouldn’t stick.
2 cups of dry grains in 6 cups broth sounds wild to me too 😅 but if it stayed firm, you’re doing something right. Next time maybe add a splash more broth if you want it even less thick.
I had the same worry, but brown rice + lentils actually works out fine in that much broth. Stirring helps a lot—also keeping it on a gentle simmer (not a rolling boil) prevents sticking and mush.
Way too soupy for my taste. I added more rice and it thickened a bit, but then the lentils got lost. Might try less broth next time or add a thickening step.
The timing is slightly off for me—1 hour wasn’t enough for the lentils. I ended up cooking closer to 1h 20m. Flavor is good though.
Good catch! I’m glad you still got great flavor. I’ve noticed lentils (especially brown) can be slower depending on age—1h can be tight. I’ll try updating mine to 1h 15m–1h 25m and check tenderness a bit earlier.
I don’t like chicken, could I use beef instead? Asking for a friend. 🤔
So much flavor! Olive oil really made a difference, I think.
I accidentally used red lentils (because I can’t read labels apparently). It turned more like stew and the rice got mushy. Still edible, just not the texture I expected.
This isn’t how my grandma made it! Where’s the cream and thyme?
No cream? That’s weird! My grandma always boiled chicken in cream for the flavor. Wish I’d known about this!
I get that! But this recipe is more about healthy choices. You could add cream if you want, it’s your kitchen! 😊
Chicken broth + lentils + rice = instant comfort food. The veggie base tasted super fresh even though it’s just onion/carrot/celery. Will make again for sure.
Wow. So good.
Right?! I made this last week and it was even better the next day—so cozy and hearty.
Haha mine turned out a bit soupy—maybe I should’ve cooked the rice a little longer or used less broth. But still good!
I didn’t have brown rice so I used white—turns out fine, but it cooked way faster and the soup got thicker. I’d reduce the simmer time if doing that swap.
Good to know! I’ve only used brown rice with this, but if white cooked faster and thickened up, definitely makes sense to shorten the simmer. I’ll try 30–40 min if I swap to white.
Why is there so much chopping? I broke my fingernail on the carrots!
Chopping can be a pain! But it makes the soup taste so good! Maybe try using pre-chopped veggies next time?
I added some spinach at the end for extra nutrients, turned out great!
That’s a great idea! Spinach really boosts nutrition and flavor. I might try that next time too.
This sounds super hearty and comforting. I like that it’s one pot and the flavors seem like they’d get better as it simmers.
This is so wholesome. I can already picture it with crusty bread—easy weeknight meal win. 10/10.
My lentils always take way longer than recipes say. If yours are quick-cooking, cool, but otherwise I’d keep simmering until everything is tender.
Hmm mine cook in like 25 min? Maybe you’re using older lentils or rinsing them wrong. Also, I usually use red lentils, they soften way faster. With brown lentils I guess you’d need more time though—just saying.
Totally agree—lentils are so unpredictable. I’ve had “quick” ones that still took forever, so now I start checking way earlier and just simmer until they’re actually tender. 1 hour never felt like enough for me either.
Made this last night—so cozy. The thyme and oregano combo is doing work, and the lentils make it hearty without being heavy. I did 1/2 tsp more salt at the end and it was perfect.
I don’t know about this. Chicken and rice soup? I thought it was just chicken soup.
Not gon lie, I don’t taste thyme much. Maybe I need more, but it was still good. Would make again though.
Hm maybe you just didn’t get enough thyme—could also be the dried thyme being old? I’d try crushing it a bit between your fingers or swapping to fresh if you can. Still, if it was good, who cares, right.
Totally get that—thyme is one of those spices that can be subtle if it’s not quite enough. I usually start with the 1 tsp like the recipe says, then add a little more to taste toward the end. Glad you’d make it again though!
So easy! I didn’t even chop evenly and it still tasted like a restaurant soup. Family asked for seconds. 10/10
Made it exactly as written and my whole kitchen smelled amazing. The lentils thickened it up nicely after simmering. Next time I might add a squeeze of lemon for brightness.
LOVE THIS RECIPE! So hearty and comforting. Perfect for winter nights. 🌟
I made this last night, and it was just what we needed! So filling! 😊
I tried it, but honestly it came out bland for me. I didn’t measure salt, just did “to taste,” and probably under-seasoned. I fixed it with more pepper and it improved a lot.