It seems like everyone I know is feeling under the weather. At times like this, I always make this fabulous "Chicken-Rice Soup Tout Simple" from The Bonne Femme Cookbook, by Wini Moranville. Not only this recipe simple enough to hand over to the non-cook in your house, it is surprisingly quite delicious. Made with boneless, skinless chicken thighs, carrot, celery, onion, rice, and a dash of lemon juice, it makes me feel instantly better. It's so satisfying that you might want to make it even when feeling well! If you would like a more substantial meal, Wini suggests serving it with a platter of prosciutto and butter sandwiches. Also, I recommend a Sauvignon Blanc to accompany.
Chicken-Rice Soup Tout Simple
Serves 4 light main-dishes and approximately 45 minutes total.
Ingredients:
2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (2 cups if using leftover cooked chicken)
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 medium carrot, peeled and finely diced
1 celery rib, finely diced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup long-grain white rice (very easy to digest if ill)
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, or more to taste
1/4 cup celery leaves, chopped, for garnish (my favorite part!)
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Directions:
In a 3-quart saucepan, combine the chicken thighs and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to an active simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and skim off any foam with a fine mesh strainer. Add the carrot, celery (not the leaves), onion, and rice to the pan and bring back to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover the pan, and simmer until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Remove pan from the heat. Remove the chicken from the soup and let cool slightly. When cool enough to handle, cut the chicken into small pieces. Return the chicken to the pot along with the parsley, lemon juice, and celery leaves. Season with salt and pepper, plus more lemon juice, if you like. Reheat the soup if necessary and ladle into bowls to serve.
Hope you feel better soon!
