How many calories are in rice made with chicken broth?

December 10, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutrition tracking platforms, a single cup of cooked white rice prepared with chicken broth contains approximately 215 calories. This simple substitution of water for broth significantly enhances flavor while adding only a minimal amount of extra calories compared to plain rice.

Quick Summary

This guide details the calorie count for rice cooked with chicken broth, explains how different ingredients and preparation methods affect the total, and offers a straightforward calculation method.

Key Points

Slight Calorie Increase: Cooking rice with chicken broth adds a minimal amount of calories, typically increasing the calorie count of a cup of rice by about 10-15 calories compared to cooking with water.
Flavor Enhancement: The primary benefit of using chicken broth is the significant boost in savory flavor, making a simple staple more delicious.
Calculation is Simple: To find the total calories, add the calories from your uncooked rice and the chicken broth, then divide by the number of servings.
Broth Type Matters: Opting for low-sodium broth is a simple way to control sodium intake, while bone broth will add more protein and minerals.
Rice Type Varies Calories: Brown rice cooked with broth will have slightly fewer calories than white rice cooked the same way, and it offers more fiber and nutrients.
Added Fats Impact Totals: Ingredients like butter or oil used to toast the rice will have a much larger impact on the final calorie count than the broth itself.

Understanding the Calorie Contribution from Broth

While plain water has zero calories, using chicken broth introduces a small amount of extra calories and nutrients when cooking rice. A standard canned or ready-to-serve chicken broth typically contains around 14 calories per cup (240ml). The total calorie count comes from the raw rice and the broth used, not just the liquid volume, as the rice absorbs the liquid and increases in volume and weight during cooking.

How to Calculate Calories Accurately

For the most accurate calorie count, calculate based on the raw ingredients before cooking. This accounts for all components and is more reliable than using a generic estimate.

Step-by-Step Calculation Guide

Raw Rice Calories: Check the package label for the calorie content of uncooked rice. For instance, 100g of uncooked white rice has about 360-365 calories.
Broth Calories: Refer to the nutritional information for your chicken broth. A standard cup of canned broth contains approximately 14 calories. Homemade broth can be estimated, assuming fat is skimmed.
Total Calories: Add the total calories from the raw rice and the broth. For example, using 1 cup of uncooked white rice (approx. 720 calories) and 2 cups of canned broth (28 calories) results in a total of 748 calories.
Servings: Divide the total calories by the number of servings. If the recipe yields 4 servings, each serving is about 187 calories (748 / 4).

White Rice vs. Brown Rice with Chicken Broth

The type of rice impacts calorie count and nutritional benefits like fiber.

White Rice: Cooked with chicken broth, one cup is about 215 calories. It's a simple carbohydrate.
Brown Rice: A whole grain with more fiber and a lower glycemic index. Cooked brown rice has slightly fewer calories per 100g (111-112 calories) compared to white rice (around 130 calories).

Comparing Broth Types: A Nutritional Breakdown

The type of chicken broth affects the nutritional profile.

Regular Canned Broth: Adds flavor but can be high in sodium (around 890mg per cup).
Low-Sodium Broth: A good option for managing sodium intake, with some containing as little as 72mg per cup. Calorie count is usually similar to regular broth.
Bone Broth: Often richer in protein, minerals, and collagen. It may have slightly more calories due to concentrated nutrients.
Homemade Broth: Offers control over sodium and fat content. Skimming fat minimizes added calories.

Table: Calorie Comparison of Rice Cooked in Different Liquids


Preparation Method	Rice Type	Calories (per 1 cup cooked)	Key Differences
With Water	White Rice	~205 kcal	Zero-calorie liquid, standard preparation.
With Chicken Broth	White Rice	~215 kcal	Adds savory flavor, minimal calorie increase.
With Chicken Broth	Brown Rice	~195 kcal (est.)	Higher fiber, more nutrients, lower GI.
With Bone Broth	Brown Rice	~205 kcal (est.)	Higher protein and mineral content, but also more calories than regular broth.

Factors That Influence the Final Calorie Count

Additional ingredients beyond rice and broth will increase calories.

Added Fats: Butter or oil used for sautéing significantly raises calorie count. A tablespoon of butter adds over 100 calories.
Vegetables and Aromatics: While low-calorie themselves, the oil used to cook them adds calories.
Rinsing Rice: Does not change calorie content but can affect texture by removing starches.

Cooking Rice with Chicken Broth for Healthier Meals

Options exist for flavor without significant calorie or sodium increases:

Use Low-Sodium Broth: Effective for controlling sodium intake.
Combine Broth and Water: A 50/50 mix offers flavor with fewer calories and less sodium.
Incorporate More Vegetables: Adds nutrients and fiber for increased satiety.
Choose Brown Rice: Provides more fiber and nutrients.

Conclusion: The Calorie Impact Is Minimal

Using chicken broth to cook rice enhances flavor with a minimal calorie increase compared to water. A cup of white rice with chicken broth is approximately 215 calories, but the exact number depends on the specific rice and broth used, and any added fats. This technique can be part of a calorie-controlled diet by choosing low-sodium broth or brown rice. For more on the nutritional differences between rice types, consult resources like Healthline.

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard one-cup serving of cooked white rice made with chicken broth contains approximately 215 calories.

No, the calorie increase is minimal. A cup of standard chicken broth contains only about 14 calories, which is absorbed and distributed throughout the entire dish, leading to a very small per-serving increase.

The most accurate method is to add the total calories of the raw rice and the broth you used, then divide that sum by the number of servings the recipe yields.

Using a low-sodium broth will have a minimal impact on the calories compared to a regular broth. However, it is an excellent way to reduce the sodium content of your meal significantly.

Bone broth is a great alternative because it typically contains more protein, collagen, and minerals than regular broth. While it might have slightly more calories, the added nutritional benefits can be a worthwhile trade-off.

Brown rice has fewer calories and more fiber than white rice. Per 100g of cooked rice, white rice is around 130 calories while brown rice is closer to 111-112 calories, making brown rice a slightly lower-calorie choice even with broth.

Yes, adding ingredients like butter or oil to toast the rice will add a significant number of calories to the dish. A single tablespoon of butter adds over 100 calories, which is far more than the calories contributed by the broth.