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Chopt spicy chicken soup with rice in a bowl with tender chicken and vegetables: chopt spicy chicken soup recipe with rice

Chopt Spicy Chicken Soup with Rice

A bold, warming one-pot spicy chicken soup with rice, built on layers of ginger, garlic, warm spices, and chili heat simmered into a rich, flavorful broth. Chicken thighs are simmered until tender and shreddable, while long-grain rice absorbs all the spiced broth flavors. A satisfying full meal in one bowl that tastes even better the next day.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 pounds chicken thighs boneless or bone-in
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced or grated
  • 2 carrots diced
  • 2 stalks celery diced
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 0.5 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 lime juice, for serving

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and ginger and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Add carrots and celery and stir for 2 minutes. Add all spices (chili flakes, paprika, cumin, turmeric, salt) and stir for 30 seconds.
  3. Add the chicken thighs and pour in the broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
  4. Remove the chicken from the pot. Shred using two forks, then return to the pot.
  5. Add the rice to the pot and stir. Simmer for 15–18 minutes until rice is cooked through and has absorbed the broth flavors.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve in bowls with a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Add extra chili flakes for more heat.

Notes

Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts in this soup. Add rice directly to the pot so it cooks in and absorbs the spiced broth. The soup thickens as it sits — add more broth when reheating. A squeeze of lime at serving brightens all flavors. Adjust chili flakes to your heat preference.