Brazilian Chicken and Rice Soup

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces (about 3 lbs / 1.4 kg) 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces (about 3 lbs / 1.4 kg)
• 1 cup (200g) white rice 1 cup (200g) white rice
• 1 onion, diced 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 8 cups (1.9 liters) chicken broth 8 cups (1.9 liters) chicken broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 35g, 3g
• Protein: 32g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant.
2. 2.
   Add the chicken pieces to the pot and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the chicken is browned on all sides.
3. 3.
   Pour in the chicken broth and add the bay leaves. Bring the broth to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
4. 4.
   Remove the chicken pieces from the pot and set them aside to cool slightly. Once cooled, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
5. 5.
   Return the shredded chicken to the pot and add the diced carrots, celery, and rice. Simmer for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and tender.
6. 6.
   Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaves.
7. 7.
   Serve the Canja de galinha hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chicken — Make sure to remove the skin from the chicken pieces before cooking to reduce the fat content in the soup.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can add a small piece of smoked sausage or bacon to the soup while simmering.
• If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can add a tablespoon of flour to the sautéed onions and garlic before adding the chicken broth.
• Feel free to customize the soup by adding other vegetables such as peas or corn.

Serving advice

Serve the Canja de galinha hot in bowls, garnished with fresh cilantro or parsley. It pairs well with crusty bread or Brazilian cheese bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can sprinkle some additional fresh herbs on top of the soup just before serving. Serve it in colorful bowls or traditional Brazilian ceramic bowls for an authentic touch.