There's something deeply comforting about a bowl of soup that feels both nourishing and fresh at the same time. This Healthy Chicken and Miso Rice Soup Recipe checks all those boxes — it’s packed with immune-boosting ingredients and has this lovely, gentle warmth that feels like a big kitchen hug on a chilly day.

A white bowl filled with a thick yellow soup that shows pieces of shredded chicken and small bits of orange carrot, green peas, and chopped green herbs spread evenly inside. The soup has a smooth broth with some red oil drops on the surface and is sprinkled with black pepper and fresh green cilantro leaves. There is a thin lemon slice placed on the right side inside the bowl, floating in the soup. In the background, there is a small white plate with four lemon wedges. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface with a white cloth that has black stripes near the bottom left corner. 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 Healthy Chicken and Miso Rice Soup Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Healthy Chicken and Miso Rice Soup Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Healthy Chicken and Miso Rice Soup Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love sharing this soup because it’s one of those recipes that feels fancy but is surprisingly easy to make. Plus, it’s got a beautiful balance of flavors that soothe, energize, and satisfy, making it a regular in my weeknight rotation.

Packed with Nutrition: The combination of miso, ginger, and garlic doesn’t just taste amazing—it also supports your immune system.
Comforting and Light: It’s hearty thanks to chicken and rice but still feels light and healthy on your stomach.
Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of these ingredients on hand, making it easy to whip up without a special trip to the store.
Flexible and Customizable: You can tweak the veggies or spices based on what you like or what’s in season.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This soup brings together familiar pantry staples with a few special touches that transform it into something memorable. Each ingredient plays a key role—not just in flavor but in adding to the overall health benefits and texture.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl with extra-virgin olive oil, a bunch of scallions separated into vibrant green tops and white pale bottoms, two large celery stalks diced, one large peeled carrot diced, a small white bowl of minced fresh ginger, a small white bowl with four unpeeled garlic cloves, small white bowls containing ground coriander, ground turmeric, and black pepper, a small white bowl with dry long-grain white jasmine rice, a raw boneless skinless chicken thigh, a small white bowl with low sodium chicken broth, a small white bowl with white miso paste, a small white bowl with fresh lemon juice, and a few sprigs of fresh cilantro placed 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

Extra-virgin olive oil: A healthy fat that gently sautés the aromatics without overwhelming the dish.
Scallions (green onions): Keeping the white and pale green parts separate from the vibrant tops helps layer the flavors and adds fresh brightness at the end.
Celery: Adds subtle earthiness and crunch in the base of the soup.
Carrot: Offers a natural sweetness that balances the savory notes perfectly.
Fresh ginger: This packs a zingy warmth and works wonders for digestion and immunity.
Garlic: Adds depth and that classic comforting aroma we're all drawn to.
Ground coriander & turmeric: These spices boost flavor complexity and have anti-inflammatory qualities.
Black pepper: Enhances the spices’ warmth and adds subtle heat.
Long-grain white rice (Jasmine recommended): Toasting it first adds a lovely nuttiness and keeps the grains from getting mushy.
Low sodium chicken broth (or bone broth): Forms the nourishing base with rich flavor and fewer additives.
Boneless skinless chicken thighs: Juicy and tender, they hold up well in soup without drying out.
Kosher salt: Balances all the flavors perfectly.
White miso paste: Brings umami and that signature miso depth—just whisk it gently in to preserve the probiotics.
Fresh lemon juice: A splash at the end brightens everything and lifts the soup beautifully.

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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 Healthy Chicken and Miso Rice Soup Recipe is how adaptable it is—I often switch up the veggies or even swap chicken thighs for breast depending on what I have. It makes it really friendly for different tastes and diets.

Variation: I’ve tried adding shiitake mushrooms for extra earthiness, and they soak up the broth beautifully.
Vegetarian option: Leave out the chicken and use vegetable broth with extra firm tofu cubes to keep it hearty.
Spice it up: A little chili crisp stirred in at the end adds a delicious kick that wakes up the whole bowl.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Healthy Chicken and Miso Rice Soup Recipe

A close-up view of a black pot filled with yellow chicken soup that has small pieces of shredded chicken and finely chopped orange carrots and green herbs floating in it. A silver ladle is partially submerged in the soup, lifting some liquid and chicken pieces. The pot sits on a white marbled surface with part of a woman's hand holding the ladle visible on the right side. The soup looks warm with a light broth and scattered green onion slices on top photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Build the Flavor Base

Heat the olive oil in a big soup pot over medium heat. I add the white and pale green parts of scallions first, then toss in diced celery and carrot. Stir occasionally until everything softens, about 5 to 6 minutes. This gentle cooking wakes up their flavors without browning, which keeps the broth clear and light.

Step 2: Spice It Up

Now stir in the minced ginger, garlic, coriander, turmeric, and black pepper. Cook another 2 minutes until it’s beautifully fragrant. Make sure your garlic doesn’t brown here—stir frequently to keep things evenly heated.

Step 3: Toast the Rice

Add the dry rice and toast it for a minute or two. This step might seem small, but it adds such a lovely nutty depth that lifts the whole soup. Plus, it helps keep the rice from getting mushy later.

Step 4: Simmer Everything Together

Pour in the chicken broth, tuck the chicken thighs into the pot, and sprinkle with kosher salt. Turn the heat up just until it gently boils, then cover and reduce to a simmer. I let it cook for about 20 minutes until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.

Step 5: Shred the Chicken and Add Miso

Use tongs to fish out the chicken and put it on a cutting board. Shred it with two forks—that chicken will be juicy and easy to pull apart. Meanwhile, whisk the miso paste with a little hot broth in a separate bowl till smooth, then stir it back into the pot with the shredded chicken and vibrant green scallion tops.

Step 6: Finish with Lemon and Seasoning

Cook a few more minutes uncovered to meld the flavors, then stir in lemon juice. This freshens everything up and really brightens the broth. Taste and adjust salt or pepper as needed, then you're ready to serve.

Top Tip

Making this Healthy Chicken and Miso Rice Soup Recipe taught me how important the final steps are in balancing flavor and texture—those finishing touches really elevate a simple soup to something memorable.

Toast the Rice: Don’t skip this step—it adds subtle nuttiness and keeps the rice fluffy, not mushy.
Miso Addition: Always dissolve miso in hot broth separately to gently temper it—this preserves the full flavor and probiotics.
Shred the Chicken: Removing the chicken to shred makes sure you keep lovely tender pieces, rather than overcooking it in the simmer.
Lemon Juice Finish: Add fresh lemon juice right at the end to awaken and brighten the whole soup without masking the other flavors.

How to Serve Healthy Chicken and Miso Rice Soup Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping this soup with fresh cilantro or parsley for an herbal pop, and sometimes a little chili crisp if I want to kick up the heat. These simple garnishes add fresh brightness or spicy crunch, making each bite interesting.

Side Dishes

This soup really shines on its own but I often pair it with a light cucumber salad or some steamed greens for an extra serving of veggies. A warm crusty whole-grain bread is great too, especially if you want to keep things cozy.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve the soup in pretty ceramic bowls with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds on top. A side plate with lemon wedges and extra chili crisp lets guests customize their bowl, which is a fun interactive touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover soup keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually wait to add lemon juice and scallion tops until reheating for best freshness.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this soup a couple times with great success. Just cool it completely, then freeze in portioned containers. When thawed, reheat gently on the stove and stir in fresh lemon juice and scallions last for that bright flavor.

Reheating

Reheat over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally so the rice doesn’t stick to the bottom. Add a splash of water or broth if it’s too thick. Finish by stirring in fresh scallion tops and lemon juice to revive the flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice in this soup?

Absolutely! Brown rice will work but keep in mind it takes longer to cook, so you’ll want to add it earlier in the simmering process and possibly increase the broth to keep the soup from getting too thick.

Is white miso paste different from other miso varieties?

Yes, white miso is milder and sweeter compared to red or darker miso pastes. It’s ideal for this light chicken soup because it adds umami without overpowering the other flavors.

Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

You can, but I recommend briefly sautéing the aromatics in a pan first to get that extra flavor depth. Then add all ingredients except the miso and lemon juice to the slow cooker. Add the miso and lemon only at the very end of cooking to preserve their fresh flavors.

How do I keep the chicken tender and juicy?

Using boneless skinless chicken thighs is key—they stay moist even after simmering. Also, don’t overcook the soup and shred the chicken out of the pot immediately once tender.

Final Thoughts

This Healthy Chicken and Miso Rice Soup Recipe is one of those meals I turn to when I want something healing yet satisfying. It’s simple enough to make on a busy weeknight but special enough to share with friends. I’m confident you’ll find it as comforting and delicious as I do—give it a try and enjoy that first blissful spoonful!