Cozy, Soul-Warming Hearty Chicken & Wild Rice Soup Recipe

Comfort flows through every spoonful of this hearty chicken and wild rice soup that warms the soul on chilly evenings.

Tender chicken pieces mingle with nutty wild rice, creating a symphony of flavors and textures.

Fragrant herbs and vegetables dance together in a rich, creamy broth that promises pure satisfaction.

Each carefully crafted bite tells a story of wholesome ingredients and careful preparation.

Rustic and inviting, this soup turns an ordinary meal into a memorable experience.

Nourishing and deeply satisfying, it stands ready to become your new cold-weather favorite.

Grab a ladle and savor every comforting spoonful of this irresistible soup.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 480 kcal

Servings: 7

Chicken & Wild Rice Soup Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts or Thighs: Tender protein base that provides hearty texture and rich flavor for the soup, select fresh cuts with minimal fat for best results.
• Chicken Broth: Creates deep foundational flavor and liquid base, choose low-sodium versions for better control of salt levels.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic soup trio adding sweetness, color, and nutrition, select crisp and firm vegetables for maximum crunch and flavor.
• Garlic: Adds robust, warming depth to the soup's overall taste profile, choose fresh cloves for most intense flavor.
• Thyme, Rosemary: Herbaceous notes that elevate the soup's complexity, use fresh herbs when possible for brighter taste.
• Parsley: Bright garnish that provides fresh finish and visual appeal.

• Wild Rice: Nutty, hearty grain that adds texture and nutritional value, look for high-quality, minimally processed varieties.
• Butter: Creates rich base for roux, providing smooth texture and depth.
• Flour: Essential thickening agent that helps develop creamy consistency.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious, silky mouthfeel and rounds out flavor profile.
• Black Pepper, Salt: Essential seasoning agents that balance and enhance overall taste.

Soup-Making Gear That Gets It Done

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for cooking chicken, sautéing vegetables, and simmering the entire soup.
• Small Saucepan: Perfect for creating the creamy roux and thickening the cream mixture.
• Whisk: Crucial for smoothly blending the roux and preventing lumps in the cream sauce.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Required for dicing onions, slicing carrots, and cutting chicken.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing soup ingredients while cooking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Help ensure accurate ingredient quantities.

How to Cook Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

• Sear the Chicken

Brown chicken in a hot pot with a splash of olive oil until golden and cooked through. Remove and chop into tender chunks.

• Wake Up the Vegetables

Toss chopped onions, carrots, and celery into the same pot. Dance them around until they soften and release their aromatic. Sprinkle in garlic for an extra flavor punch.

• Build the Soup Base

Pour in rich chicken broth and tumble in wild rice with herbs. Let everything bubble and simmer until rice becomes tender and dreamy.

• Create the Creamy

Melt butter and whisk in flour to create a silky base. Slowly stream in cream, stirring until the mixture transforms into a luxurious sauce.

• Bring It All Together

Reunite the chicken with the soup, letting everything cuddle and warm up. Give it a final gentle simmer to marry all the flavors. Dust with fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy.

Chicken Soup Tweaks You Can Try

• Quick pro tips to elevate your wild rice soup game
• Choose bone-in chicken thighs for richer flavor and more tender meat. Dark meat adds deeper taste and stays juicier compared to chicken breasts.
• Rinse wild rice before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent clumping. Pre-soaking rice for 30 minutes can reduce overall cooking time and create more consistent texture.
• Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk for a lighter, lactose-free version. These alternatives provide creamy consistency without compromising taste.
• This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat gently to maintain soup's original texture.
• Swap chicken with rotisserie chicken for quicker preparation or add cooked shredded turkey as a delicious alternative. Consider adding white beans or quinoa for extra protein and interesting texture variation.

Serve Wild Rice Soup Warm and Cozy

• Cozy Family Dinner Night: Gather loved ones around the table and enjoy this hearty soup as a comforting main course paired with crusty bread for dipping.
• Rustic Soup and Salad Combo: Create a light, balanced meal by serving the chicken wild rice soup alongside a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette dressing.
• Lunch Meal Prep Champion: Pack this soup in individual containers for a satisfying work or school lunch that reheats perfectly and keeps you full throughout the day.
• Winter Wellness Booster: Serve this nutrient-rich soup during cold months as a warming dish that provides protein, vegetables, and comfort in every spoonful.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips for Chicken Soup

• Transfer leftover soup to airtight containers and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking. Enjoy delicious soup up to 4 days after preparation, maintaining optimal flavor and texture.
• Carefully pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving slight expansion space. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Seal tightly to prevent freezer burn and maintain soup quality.
• Thaw frozen soup overnight in refrigerator. Warm gently in saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add small splash of chicken broth if soup seems too thick during reheating process.
• Double recipe ingredients when cooking. Store extra portions in individual meal-sized containers for quick weeknight dinners. Label containers with date and contents for easy tracking and organized meal planning.

FAQs

• What type of wild rice works best for this soup?

Wild rice blends or traditional long-grain wild rice are perfect. Look for packages that include a mix of rice varieties for richer flavor and texture.

• Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken from scratch?

Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken saves time and adds extra flavor. Simply shred the pre-cooked chicken and add it to the soup during the final combination step.

• Is this soup freezer-friendly?

Yes, this soup freezes well. Store in airtight containers for up to 3 months. When reheating, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm slowly on the stovetop to prevent separation of cream.

• How can I make this soup healthier?

Replace heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for fewer calories. You can also add more vegetables like mushrooms or spinach to increase nutritional value.

Hearty Chicken & Wild Rice Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Heartwarming chicken & wild rice soup embraces comforting Minnesota flavors with creamy richness. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, offering satisfying warmth for hungry diners seeking winter nourishment.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 6 cups (1.4L) chicken broth
• 1 cup (185g) uncooked wild rice blend
• 1 cup (240 mL) heavy cream or half-and-half
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter
• ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp dried rosemary
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt, to taste
• 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley (optional)

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Instructions

1. Protein Preparation: Sear chicken in a spacious pot with heated olive oil until golden and thoroughly cooked. Remove from pot, cool briefly, and shred into tender pieces.
2. Vegetable Foundation: In the same pot, sauté diced onions, sliced carrots, chopped celery, and minced garlic until vegetables soften and aromatics become fragrant.
3. Broth and Rice Infusion: Pour chicken broth into the vegetable base, adding wild rice, thyme, rosemary, black pepper, and salt. Bring to a robust boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook until rice reaches perfect tenderness, approximately 45 minutes.
4. Creamy Transformation: Create a velvety roux by melting butter and whisking in flour. Gradually incorporate heavy cream, stirring continuously until the mixture achieves a smooth, luxurious consistency.
5. Final Harmonization: Reintroduce shredded chicken to the herb-enriched broth, gently folding in the cream mixture. Simmer briefly to meld flavors. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve steaming hot.

Notes

• Chicken Selection: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts for even cooking and easier shredding. Organic or free-range options provide richer flavor and better texture.
• Rice Perfection: Wild rice blend requires longer cooking time; pre-soak for quicker cooking and more consistent texture. Check package instructions for precise water-to-rice ratio.
• Creamy Consistency: Prevent cream sauce from breaking by maintaining low heat and stirring continuously. Temper cream gradually to avoid curdling and ensure smooth, silky finish.
• Flavor Enhancement: Toast herbs briefly before adding to concentrate their aromatic oils. Fresh herbs can replace dried ones for brighter, more vibrant taste profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 830mg
• Fat: 27g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 37g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 24g
• Cholesterol: 90mg