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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- 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.
- Vegetable Foundation: In the same pot, sauté diced onions, sliced carrots, chopped celery, and minced garlic until vegetables soften and aromatics become fragrant.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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