Hearty Chicken Cacciatore Soup with Rice

Ingredients and Weight:

• 1 whole chicken (3-4 pounds), cut into 8 pieces
• 1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
• 2 stalks celery, chopped (1 cup)
• 2 carrots, chopped (1 cup)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
• 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 cup long grain rice
• 8 cups chicken broth
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation Time:

30 minutes

Cooking Time:

1 hour 15 minutes

Difficulty Level:

2 (Easy)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
2. Heat a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sear the chicken pieces until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside.
3. Add the onion, celery, and carrots to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
4. If using white wine, add it to the pot and let it simmer until reduced by half, about 2 minutes.
5. Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, bay leaf, and thyme. Return the chicken pieces to the pot and add the chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
6. Stir in the rice and continue to simmer for 30-45 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and the chicken is tender.
7. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper.

Nutritional Information:

(Per serving)

• Calories: 350
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Protein: 30g
• Fat: 15g

Dish Characteristics:

• Hearty and comforting
• Flavorful and aromatic
• Easy to make and perfect for a cold day

User Comments:

• "This soup is absolutely delicious! The chicken is tender and flavorful, and the rice is perfectly cooked. The broth is rich and satisfying."
• "I love how easy this soup is to make. It's perfect for a busy weeknight dinner."
• "The flavor of this soup is amazing! I added a little extra garlic and it really kicked it up a notch."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• If you don't have white wine on hand, you can substitute an equal amount of chicken broth.
• If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add more rice or cornstarch slurry.
• This soup can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.