Unlocking the Secret to Demos' Restaurant Famous Chicken and Rice Soup

Demos' Restaurant is a beloved family-owned eatery in Virginia Beach known for its cozy ambiance and scratch-made comfort food. Their signature chicken and rice soup is a local legend. Smooth, savory, and filled with tender chicken, this soup satisfies like no other. While Demos' keeps the recipe under lock and key, this copycat version comes astonishingly close to the original. Read on to learn the secret techniques to make this viral soup at home.

The Story Behind Demos' Famous Soup

Demos' first opened in Virginia Beach in 1979 by the Demos family. They aimed to serve fresh, homemade favorites like pot roast, meatloaf, and of course - chicken and rice soup. It quickly became the restaurant's staple, with regulars coming in specifically for bowls of the hearty, creamy soup.

Unlocking the Secret to Demos' Restaurant Famous Chicken and Rice Soup

Recipes circulated but none replicated the exact flavor. In 2021, a local news segment on the iconic soup went viral, introducing it to the world. The secret ingredients remain elusive but this recipe gets impressively close.

Key Characteristics of Demos' Chicken and Rice Soup

To recreate this regional favorite, it's important to identify the soup's distinctive qualities:

Very Smooth

The soup has an ultra-smooth, creamy consistency with no chunks or rice grains.

Shredded Chicken

Tender, shredded chicken is abundant throughout the soup.

Onion and Garlic

Aromatics like onion and garlic add a savory depth without heaviness.

Subtle Warm Spices

Hints of black pepper, thyme, bay leaves, and other spices add warmth.

Slight Sweetness

A touch of sweetness balances the savory richness.

Keys to Replicating This Legendary Soup

A few key strategies help unlock the secrets to Demos' famous recipe:

Simmer the Rice

Simmer white rice until fully broken down into a thick, creamy base.

Shred the Chicken

Poach or roast chicken until fall-apart tender for easy shredding.

Keys to Replicating This Legendary Soup

Saute the Aromatics

Cook onion, garlic, and celery until softened and aromatic.

Season Judiciously

A delicate hand with savory herbs, pepper, and salt maintains the subtle seasoning.

Finish with Cream

A splash of cream or half-and-half adds silkiness and ties flavors together.

Copycat Recipe for Demos' Chicken and Rice Soup

Here is an extremely close match for the legendary soup:

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup long grain white rice
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Poach chicken in stock until very tender, 30-40 mins.
2. Remove chicken and shred. Return to pot.
3. Add rice, onion, garlic, celery to pot. Simmer until rice is fully cooked and broken down, 25-30 mins.
4. Discard bay leaf. Puree or blend soup until smooth.
5. Stir in cream, thyme, salt and pepper.
6. Simmer 15 mins more to meld flavors.

Serving Suggestions

Elevate your homemade Demos' soup with these additions:

• Fresh parsley, dill, or green onion
• Oyster crackers
• Crumbled bacon
• Shredded extra sharp cheddar
• Sliced scallions

Storage and Reheating Tips

Refrigerating

Store soup in airtight container up to one week. Stir before reheating.

Freezing

Freeze in portions up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Gently reheat on stove or microwave, adding more broth if too thick.

Troubleshooting Issues

Soup too thick

Add more chicken broth or cream while reheating to thin.

Bland flavor

Stir in more herbs, salt, pepper, garlic, or onion to boost flavor.

Rice not broken down

Simmer rice longer, up to 40 minutes, until fully creamy.

Chicken dry or stringy

Ensure chicken is cooked through and shredded into small pieces.

Enjoy a Local Legend at Home

With its silky texture, savory flavor, and tender chicken, this copycat recipe lets you enjoy Demos' iconic soup anywhere. Adjust seasonings to taste and add your own flair to make it your own.

FAQs

What rice is best to use?

Long grain white rice like basmati breaks down best for a creamy soup.

Can I use an Instant Pot?

Yes, sauté aromatics then add remaining ingredients and cook on high pressure 20-25 minutes.

Is the cream necessary?

The cream enriches the broth but you can omit or use milk instead.

Can I add vegetables?

Onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes would work well in this soup.

Should I use chicken thigh or breast?

Chicken breast is lower fat and shreds into finer pieces.

Conclusion

This simplified home-style recipe lets you enjoy the rich, savory flavors of Demos' legendary chicken and rice soup. Adjust seasonings to taste and garnish with fresh herbs or crackers. Comfort food at its finest!