Heartwarming Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe: Soul-Soothing Goodness

Ingredients

• 2 cups (480 ml) chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great)
• 8 cups (2 liters) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) uncooked white or brown rice
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsps olive oil or butter
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried parsley (or 1 tbsp fresh parsley)
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt
• pepper
• 1/2 lemon, juiced (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Crusty bread for serving