Souper Rice is a quick, creamy, and flavorful side dish that comes together in just 10 minutes.
The blend of chicken soup and broth ensures every spoonful is tasty. Meanwhile, the Parmesan creates a risotto-like texture that melts in your mouth.
This rice dish is my go-to when I need a side in a hurry. It pairs well with everything from chicken and pork to fish and seafood!
Why You’ll Love This Souper Rice
Quick Meal Solution: This one-pot dish is ready in a flash and can easily be a whole meal if you throw in leftover chicken.
Foolproof Rice Dish: This recipe really couldn’t be any easier. Just boil, cover, and let it sit. After 8 minutes, the rice is perfect every time!
Pantry Staple Ingredients: As far as budget-friendly recipes go, this is one of the best. All you need is rice, a can of soup, some stock and cheese. Easy peasy.
Ingredients
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Use unsalted or 98% fat-free for a rich and creamy yet light base that binds the rice together.
- Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: Adds savory chicken flavor to the rice while keeping the sodium in check.
- Uncooked Instant White Rice: Instant rice cooks quickly, absorbing the creamy broth for fluffy perfection. Unfortunately, regular rice won’t work with the amount of liquid called for and the shorter cooking time.
- Parmesan Cheese: Nutty, salty aged cheese that adds a pop of flavor and helps thicken the rice. Grate it fresh for the best taste.
Optional Extras
Stick to the recipe above, and you’ll be more than happy with the results. But if you want to jazz it up, add the following:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon
- Dash of freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
How to Make Souper Rice
If you’re craving something comforting and easy for dinner, this totally hits the spot. And the steps are a breeze:
1. BOIL the chicken soup and broth in a medium saucepan.
2. ADD the instant rice and cheese and mix well.
3. COVER the pot and take it off the heat. Leave for 5-8 minutes.
4. FLUFF the rice with a fork, then serve and enjoy!
Tips For the Best Souper Rice
I’m already dreaming up ways to customize this dish next time.
Maybe I’ll add some sautéed mushrooms, peas, shredded chicken…the possibilities are endless. (Though it’s pretty perfect as is.)
But before you get cooking, read these handy tips:
- Use Instant rice. I said it already, but this recipe only works with instant rice. And white rice is the best, in my opinion. Other types of rice don’t cook properly with the given liquid ratios and cooking time.
- Switch the soup. Feel free to experiment with different flavors of condensed cream soups, such as cream of mushroom, celery, or cheese.
- Broth matters. Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the dish.
- Cheese options. While Parmesan is a classic, you can try other types like cheddar, Asiago, or Romano to suit your preferences. Just be sure to shred them from a block so they melt properly.
- Mix-Ins. Add cooked chicken, bacon, mushrooms, peas, or other vegetables. You could also try hot sauce or jalapeños if you like spice.
- Serving suggestions. Serve Souper Rice as a side dish alongside roasted chicken, grilled steak, or baked fish. It also works well as a hearty main course when paired with a simple salad or steamed vegetables.
How to Store
As with most rice dishes, this is best eaten right away.
For one thing, rice absorbs excess moisture as it sits, drying it out. But it’s also one of the leading foods associated with food safety risks.
That said, as long as you store and reheat it properly, it should be just fine!
To Store: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container no more than 2 hours after cooking*. Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To Reheat: Place leftover rice into a saucepan with extra broth. Warm over medium heat, stirring frequently until hot. Alternatively, reheat in the microwave with extra broth, covered, for 1-2 minutes.
*If the rice has been at room temperature for over 2 hours, discard it.
More Rice Recipes We Adore
Sausage and Rice Casserole
Glorified Rice
Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
Spanish Rice
4-Ingredient Souper Rice
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servings5
minutes8
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kcalSouper Rice is a flavorful side dish that comes together in just 10 minutes. Using just four pantry staples, the risotto-like texture melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of chicken soup (unsalted or 98% fat free)
1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cups uncooked instant white rice
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, whisk the cream of chicken soup and chicken broth over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Stir in the instant white rice and Parmesan cheese, and mix well until combined.
- Cover the saucepan and remove it from the heat. Let the rice mixture stand for 5-8 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
Notes
- Substitute cream of mushroom, celery, or broccoli soup for the cream of chicken.
- For a complete meal, add cooked chicken, bacon, or vegetables like peas, mushrooms, or sautéed onions.
- This recipe is designed for instant rice. Regular rice won’t work.
This was was so so good. Excellent as written. I added peas and carrots and sliced almonds. Wow
Hi LaFern!
So happy you liked it:-)
This is definitely one of the easiest and tastiest rice dishes I’ve tried!
And I’ll have to try it with your additions next time. I love sliced almonds!
Why won’t regular rice work?
Hi Patricia!
This recipe has been designed specifically for quick cooking rice.
If you use regular rice, you’ll need to change the amount of liquid and increase the cooking time.
You can, of course play around with it. But for the recipe as written, you’ll need instant rice 🙂