Winter is my least favorite season – between the cold weather and the lack of sunlight, it’s well below my second favorite season, which is spring! While it’s not officially spring yet, here in the DC area, I can tell that the outside world is getting ready to transition. The weather has been a bit warmer and the days are getting longer.
With that being said, it’s still pretty freaking cold! I’m walking around my apartment in sweatshirts and sweatpants and thick socks and I’m still cold. So, spring hasn’t officially sprung yet, which means I’m still cozying up with my favorite soups. And one of my favorite comfort foods was always chicken soup.
I don’t know about y’all, but growing up, I ate chicken soup when it was cold or when I was sick – some of the times you need a whole lot of comfort. Obviously, as a vegan, I don’t eat chickens anymore, so I ventured into making my own version. I wanted a version that was quick and easy that I could make after my most stressful days at work.
Thus, my Vegan Chicken & Rice Stew was born! I use Lightlife’s Smart Tenders as a chicken substitute and fill this soup up with as many veggies as I have on hand. The classics are celery, carrots, corn, and peas, but tons of veggies would work here so feel free to get creative! You can also add your favorite spices, as I kept it pretty simple. Just taste test and add as needed. For example, if you’d like your stew a little spicy, add some cayenne or red pepper flakes.
This recipe takes about 30 minutes to make, perfect for a weeknight. And if you make a big enough batch, you can store the leftovers in the fridge to eat for lunches or dinners for the next 3 to 4 days.
If you’re also looking for some comfort foods as the seasons begin to transition, this Vegan Chicken & Rice Stew is the perfect recipe. I would love to hear how this recipe turned out for you and what changes you made to make it your own. Let me know in the comments or message me at @thejewishvegan on Instagram. And, as always, if you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out. Now, let’s get started!
Vegan Chicken & Rice Stew
Equipment
- large pot
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 medium carrots chopped
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 1 package Lightlife Smart Tenders chopped into bite sized pieces
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup white rice rinsed
- 1 cup parsley leaves chopped
- 2 tsp salt to taste
- ¼ tsp ground thyme
- ½ cup frozen corn
- ½ cup frozen peas
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Once hot, add the onions and carrots and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the celery and smart tenders and continue stirring occasionally for 5 more minutes.
- Add the broth and rice and bring the soup to a simmer, covered.
- Once simmering, add the spices and parsley and simmer for 10 minutes, uncovered (or until the rice is done).
- Add the peas and corns and bring back to a simmer. Once simmering again, your soup is done!
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