Name: Lemon Ginger Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 cups chicken broth; 2 cups cooked shredded chicken; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon grated ginger; 1 teaspoon ground turmeric; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1/4 cup lemon juice; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 tablespoons chopped parsley; 1 cup cooked rice

There’s something incredibly soothing about a bowl of homemade soup, and this Lemon Ginger Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe nails that cozy, nourishing vibe perfectly. With a fresh lemony kick balanced by warming ginger and turmeric, it feels like a warm hug on a chilly day—and it’s surprisingly simple to whip up.

A close-up image of a dark bowl filled with chicken soup that has four visible layers: the bottom layer is clear golden broth, followed by white rice grains and small shredded pieces of pale chicken, scattered bright orange carrot chunks, and light green celery pieces spread throughout. The surface is topped with small green parsley leaves and a light sprinkle of black pepper. The bowl is placed on a white marbled texture with a blurred lemon wedge and greenery in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Lemon Ginger Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Lemon Ginger Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Lemon Ginger Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I always find myself coming back to this Lemon Ginger Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe because it hits all the right notes—bright, comforting, and packed with flavor and nutrients. It’s one of those dishes that feels fancy but is totally fuss-free, making it perfect for dinner any night of the week.

Bright & Nourishing: The lemon juice adds a fresh zing that balances the earthiness of turmeric and warmth of ginger wonderfully.
Simple to Prepare: You don’t need special ingredients or hours in the kitchen—just a few basics you likely have on hand.
Comfort Food with a Kick: It’s cozy but never bland thanks to distinct, layered spices.
Great for Leftovers: This soup actually tastes better the next day, making it ideal for meal prepping or quick lunches.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This soup is all about bright, simple ingredients that come together to create a comforting bowl of goodness. Each element plays a part—from the rich chicken broth base to the zesty lemon that really wakes up your taste buds. Here’s why I love these staples in this soup.

Flat lay of a small pile of shredded cooked chicken, a halved bright yellow lemon next to a small white bowl filled with vibrant golden ground turmeric powder, a whole fresh white onion quartered to show its layers, three uncracked brown garlic cloves, a small piece of knobby fresh ginger root with a portion grated on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl of clear golden olive oil, a small white bowl filled with light golden chicken broth, a small heap of bright green chopped parsley, a tiny white bowl with red pepper flakes, and a small mound of cooked white rice, all arranged symmetrically and balanced on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken Broth: A rich, flavorful base that infuses the soup with warmth and depth—homemade or store-bought works great.
Shredded Chicken: Using cooked shredded chicken speeds things up and adds protein so this soup keeps you full and satisfied.
Olive Oil: Needed for sautéing and it brings a subtle fruitiness that complements the spices beautifully.
Onion: Adds sweetness and body once cooked down, making the broth taste more robust.
Garlic: Because what soup is complete without its punch of garlic aroma and flavor?
Fresh Ginger: The star of the recipe, providing that warming, slightly spicy note that pairs perfectly with lemon.
Turmeric: Adds a subtle earthiness, a vibrant color, plus anti-inflammatory goodness.
Red Pepper Flakes: Just a pinch for a mild kick—feel free to adjust based on your heat preference.
Lemon Juice: Brightens the entire soup, cutting through the richness with fresh acidity.
Salt & Pepper: Essential for balancing and elevating every flavor layer.
Fresh Parsley: Adds a herbaceous finish and a pop of color right before serving.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Lemon Ginger Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe is how easy it is to make your own tweaks. Depending on what you’ve got in the fridge or what flavors you're craving, this soup can easily adapt.

Variation: I love adding chopped carrots and celery when I want a heartier soup—it adds some nice texture and sweetness. Sometimes, I swap the rice for quinoa for a protein boost and it works beautifully.
Dietary Twists: For a low-carb version, skip the rice and add extra veggies like zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
Seasonal Flair: Toss in some fresh spinach or kale right at the end for an extra nutrient lift during winter months.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Lemon Ginger Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe

A deep white bowl is filled with a bright yellow soup broth with shredded white chicken pieces floating in it. On one side inside the bowl, there is a small mound of white rice topped with green chopped herbs and a sprinkle of black pepper and red chili flakes. A thin round slice of lemon sits partially submerged in the broth on the right side. The soup is garnished with fresh green parsley pieces scattered across the surface. The bowl is placed on a dark textured cloth on a white marbled surface with small green herb leaves scattered around. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until it shimmers, then add your diced onion. Cook until it turns translucent and sweet—about 5 minutes. This slow sauté builds the base flavor, so don’t rush it. Then stir in the minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, turmeric, and red pepper flakes. Cook for about a minute, just until fragrant; this wakes up the spices beautifully without burning.

Step 2: Add Broth and Chicken

Pour in your chicken broth and bring everything up to a gentle simmer. This is where the magic happens as the broth picks up all those flavors from the aromatics and spices. Toss in your shredded cooked chicken and cooked rice—make sure the rice isn’t mushy to avoid a gloopy soup. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes to let the flavors blend.

Step 3: Finish with Lemon and Seasoning

Once the soup is fragrant and hot, stir in the fresh lemon juice along with salt and pepper to your taste. The lemon really brightens everything up, so don’t skip it! Give it one last taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Finally, sprinkle over some chopped parsley for a fresh pop and serve immediately.

Top Tip

From years of making this soup, I’ve learned a few things that really make a difference, so let me share my top tips to help your soup shine.

Use Fresh Ginger: Grating fresh ginger instead of using powdered totally elevates the flavor with that bright punch.
Don’t Overcook the Rice: If you use leftover rice, make sure it’s not mushy to keep the soup texture perfect the next day.
Simmer Gently: Keep the heat low once the broth comes in to let flavors blend slowly without toughening the chicken.
Adjust Lemon Last: Adding lemon juice right at the end preserves its fresh zest without dulling it during cooking.

How to Serve Lemon Ginger Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe

Lemon Ginger Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love a simple garnish of fresh parsley—it adds a lovely herbaceous note and a burst of green. Sometimes, I’ll sprinkle a little extra red pepper flakes on top if I’m craving some heat, or even a tiny drizzle of good olive oil for richness.

Side Dishes

This soup pairs beautifully with crunchy whole-grain bread or warm garlic naan. For something lighter, a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette is a nice contrast to the comforting broth.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I’ve served this soup in pretty soup mugs topped with a sprig of parsley and a thin lemon slice on the rim. It’s simple but adds that extra touch that makes guests feel cared for.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover soup in airtight containers in the fridge, and it keeps beautifully for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making the next day’s meal even better.

Freezing

This soup freezes well too—just portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags. When frozen, I recommend leaving out the rice and adding it fresh after reheating to keep the texture perfect, but if you’re in a hurry, freezing everything works fine.

Reheating

Reheat gently over low heat on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. If it’s a bit thick, add a splash of broth or water to loosen it up. Add any fresh lemon juice or parsley right before serving to keep flavors vibrant.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other grains besides rice in this soup?

Absolutely! Quinoa, couscous, or even small pasta shapes like orzo work well—the key is using a grain that holds up well in broth and adjusting cooking times accordingly.

Is it better to use homemade chicken broth?

Homemade broth does add an extra depth of flavor and richness, but a good-quality store-bought broth works just fine and saves time.

Can I make this soup vegetarian?

While the recipe relies on chicken and chicken broth for flavor and protein, you can make a vegetarian version by using vegetable broth and swapping the chicken for chickpeas or tofu for a hearty texture.

How do I keep the rice from getting mushy?

Using pre-cooked, slightly firm rice helps prevent mushiness. Also, add rice near the end of cooking and avoid boiling the soup vigorously once rice is in.

Final Thoughts

This Lemon Ginger Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe has become a real staple in my kitchen—not just because it’s easy and nourishing, but also because it feels like a little gift to myself and my loved ones every time I make it. I hope you’ll enjoy making it just as much, whether for a quiet solo dinner or to share around a bustling table.