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    Home » Blog » Whole Food Recipes » Homemade Soups

    November 5, 2021 | By Jami

    Creamy Turkey Rice Soup (Leftover Idea Works for Chicken, Too)

    Jump to Recipe
    creamy turkey rice soup leftover idea pin

    A recipe for creamy turkey rice soup that makes a delicious, bone-broth nourishing, one dish meal in just 20 minutes hands-on time. Perfect way to use up leftover cooked turkey - and it's just good with chicken.

    healthy creamy turkey rice soup

    I love finding ways to use the nourishing bone broth I make with turkey or chicken bones, whether it's in a soup, sauce or recipe that calls for broth.

    Our whole family loves traditional turkey noodle soup, and chicken noodle soup, and when we're sick, I love to feed my family a chicken-vegetable soup that warms their tummies and hopefully helps speed their recovery.

    When we're in a spicy mood, turkey and rice soup with curry fits the bill.

    And this recipe for creamy turkey rice soup?

    Not only is it a great way to make use of leftover turkey (or chicken) you've stashed in the freezer, it's just plain comfort food.

    Serving this on a cold winter's night accompanied by a loaf of easy artisan bread or simple French baguettes is just SO good.

    creamy turkey rice soup in white bowl from side

    On a more practical level, this soup is filled with hearty, healthy food like brown rice, vegetables and bone broth, for an easy one-dish dinner.

    It also gains depth of flavor over a few days in the fridge, making it a wonderful meal prep recipe to have for lunches. So don't be afraid to make a big pot!

    Creamy Turkey Rice Soup Recipe

    creamy turkey rice soup ingredients

    Ingredients

    • Cooked turkey (or chicken)
    • Brown rice
    • Vegetables: onions, garlic, celery, carrots, peas, and optional potatoes
    • Milk, cream, or coconut milk
    • Salt and pepper
    frozen broth for soup

    And of course, broth.

    I use my homemade bone broth made in a slow cooker with the bones from either a turkey or chicken.

    It's easy to make when I have the bones and using the vegetable scraps I keep in the freezer - I just add to the slow cooker with water and let it cook on low for 18-24 hours.

    After straining I freeze in quart jars to use for recipes like this. So easy and SO CHEAP.

    turkey rice soup above in white bowl

    Directions

    Since we're using precooked poultry for this recipe, we actually won't be adding it until the end of cooking, after the rice is done. This is to make sure that the meat's flavor isn't all boiled out, which I'm here to tell you is a real thing.

    The cooking steps are pretty straightforward:

    • Cook the fresh vegetables in butter or oil in a large pot.
    • Sprinkle with a bit of flour (this will help thicken the soup - you can use a corn or potato starch at the end instead if you need to be gluten free).
    • Add the broth and rice, bring to a boil and cook until done.
    • Only then do you add the turkey or chicken, peas, and cream, heating just a few minutes until everything is warmed through.

    Turkey or Chicken?

    Like I've mentioned, this recipe easily becomes creamy chicken rice soup by using broth and cooked meat from a chicken.

    In fact, I like to plan a meal around a spiced slow cooker whole chicken one night, make the broth in the slow cooker overnight and plan on this soup (or one of the others mentioned above) for the next night's meal. 

    Once you have the meat off the bones and your broth cooked (all done the day before) this recipe comes together in about an hour.

    So - ready for some warm, comforting soup tomorrow?

    Creamy Turkey Rice Soup FAQs

    Can this be made dairy free?

    Yes - simply replace the milk with a can of coconut milk - it will not add any coconut flavor but will add the creaminess.

    Can I use other vegetables?

    This is really good with chopped spinach added at the end, or kale or chard added with the other vegetables.
    You can also replace the (optional) potatoes with turnips, parsnips or sweet potatoes and I've added chopped sweet red peppers in with the onion mixture in the past.
    So, yes - play with the vegetables and use what you have!

    Does this soup freeze well?

    I think so, though the rice does break up a bit more after thawing. It didn't make a difference to us, though, and it was nice to have this ready to go in the freezer for quick meals.

    What readers say:

    "Best soup ever!" - Billie

    turkey rice soup above in white bowl
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    Creamy Turkey Rice Soup (or Chicken)

    This recipe for creamy turkey rice soup makes a delicious, bone broth nourishing, one dish meal that's just as good with chicken. Serve with a hearty bread and save the leftovers for delicious lunches.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time1 hr
    Total Time1 hr 20 mins
    Course: Soups
    Cuisine: American
    Yield: 8 servings
    Author: Jami Boys

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons butter (or oil for dairy free)
    • 1 large onion, chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 4 to 5 carrots, peeled & chopped
    • 2 stalks celery, chopped
    • 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped (optional)*
    • 1/3 cup flour**
    • 8 cups turkey or chicken broth (preferably this Easy Homemade Chicken Broth)
    • 1 cup brown rice
    • 3 cups cooked turkey (or chicken)
    • 1 cups frozen peas
    • 1/2-3/4 cup whole milk, or half & half (or use 1 can coconut milk for dairy free)
    • 2 to 4 teaspoons salt, to taste (use the larger amount if using unsalted broth)
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions

    • Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, carrots, celery and potatoes, if using. Cook about 5 minutes to soften the vegetables.
    • Add the flour and stir to coat vegetables. Slowly pour in the stock, stirring as you do, to incorporate the flour well.
    • Add rice to the broth-vegetable mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook about 45 minutes or until rice is tender.
    • Add the remaining ingredients (turkey, peas, milk, salt and pepper) and simmer until heated through, about 10 minutes more.
    • Taste soup, adjust seasonings if needed, and serve.

    Notes

    *I often leave the potatoes out or replace with peeled, chopped turnips or parsnips which are really good.
    **To make gluten free: omit flour at the step in the recipe and use 1 tablespoon cornstarch or potato starch (mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water), adding it when you add the turkey and peas. Stir to thicken and cook as directed to warm everything through.
    Make Ahead: Like many soups, this is even better the next day, so it's a perfect make-ahead meal. It also freezes well.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 295kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 755mg | Potassium: 758mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 5367IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 4mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @anoregoncottage or tag #anoregoncottage!
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    leftover creamy turkey rice soup pin image

    More Soups to Make With Poultry

    Curried Turkey and Rice Soup (or Chicken)
    Spice up your turkey and rice soup with curry for a delicious, different take on a classic, comforting soup. This recipe is quick and easy and results in a warm, comforting meal - that's just as good with chicken as it is with turkey.
    Click For Recipe
    Homemade Turkey Noodle Soup in bowls
    Traditional Turkey Noodle Soup Recipe from Leftover Bones
    Use up your leftover turkey bones to make this delicious turkey noodle soup - it may become your favorite part of the holiday turkey!
    Click For Recipe
    homemade chicken noodle soup in bowl
    Quick & Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
    A family favorite, 30 minute quick and easy homemade chicken noodle soup is thick and healthy - maybe the perfect comfort food!
    Click For Recipe

     

    This recipe has been updated - it was originally published in February 2014.

    About Jami

    Since 2009 Jami Boys has been helping readers live a simple homemade life through whole food recipes, doable gardening, and easy DIY projects on An Oregon Cottage. From baking bread, to creating a floor from paper, to growing and preserving food, Jami shares the easiest ways to get things done. She's been featured in Cottages and Bungalows, Old House Journal, and First for Women magazines as well as numerous sites like Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, and Apartment Therapy.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Billie says

      July 27, 2014 at 6:01 am

      Best soup ever!

      Reply
    2. Charlotte Moore says

      February 06, 2014 at 2:57 pm

      Haha!!! I just sat down at my computer after eating a bowl of chicken and brown rice soup. Then I clicked on your blog and saw this recipe. It is soup weather for sure. Mine wasn't creamy but it sure was good.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Jami and I'm so glad you're here! My desire is to help you live a simple homemade life through delicious whole food recipes, easy organic gardening and preserving your harvest.

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