Amazing creamy chicken wild rice soup

Okay, let’s talk about getting cozy. When those winter winds start howling and you just want something warm and delicious to hug you from the inside out, there’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of creamy chicken wild rice soup. I remember feeling so burnt out from my old job, and the kitchen felt like the last place I wanted to be. But finding the joy in simple cooking, like making this amazing soup, totally changed things for me. It’s seriously soul-satisfying, super creamy, and just perfect for those days when you need a little extra comfort. This recipe is all about bringing people together with food that feels like a warm hug, straight from my kitchen to yours.

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Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Seriously, this soup is a total winner for so many reasons. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl, and coming from someone who used to dread cooking, that says a lot! Here’s why you’re going to be obsessed:

• Pure Comfort Food Bliss: If you’re looking for that ultimate cozy dinner, this is it. It’s rich, creamy, and packed with all the good stuff to make you feel totally content.
• Super Easy to Make: No fancy tricks here! The steps are really straightforward, making it totally approachable even if you’re just starting out in the kitchen.
• Packed with Flavor: From the savory chicken and veggies to the earthy wild rice and those subtle herbs, every spoonful is just deliciousness.
• A True Minnesota Classic: If you’re from the Midwest, you probably know and love this soup. It’s a staple for a reason, especially when the weather gets chilly!
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a big batch on the weekend, and you’ve got delicious lunches or easy dinners ready to go all week. It’s almost as easy as ordering from some of the best meal delivery services, but way more rewarding because you made it!
• Crowd-Pleaser Guaranteed: Whether it’s family dinner or friends coming over, everyone raves about this soup. It’s always a hit!

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Ingredients for the Perfect Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Alright, let’s get everything ready for our amazing soup! Having all your ingredients prepped is honestly half the battle, and it makes the whole cooking process so much smoother. Trust me, it’s worth it to have everything measured out and chopped before you even start. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (just a swirl in the pot to get us started)

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces (I like using thighs for extra flavor, but breasts are great too!)

• 1 cup chopped yellow onion (that’s about one medium onion, diced up)

• 1 cup chopped carrots (about two medium carrots, peeled and chopped nice and evenly)

• 1 cup chopped celery (usually two ribs will do the trick, also chopped)

• 2 cloves garlic, minced (smash ’em and chop ’em fine!)

• 8 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms (those lovely little brown ones add so much earthiness)

• 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth (the base of all that delicious flavor)

• 1 cup uncooked wild rice blend (make sure it’s uncooked for now!)

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (a little goes a long way for that cozy flavor)

• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary (just a bit more of that classic herby goodness)

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste (you know, season it up just right!)

• 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (this is our secret weapon for creaminess!)

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (for a pop of color and freshness at the end)

How to Make Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup: Step-by-Step

Alright, let’s get this delicious soup simmering! Making this creamy chicken wild rice soup is totally doable, even if you’re not usually a kitchen whiz. I promise, the steps are super clear, and before you know it, you’ll have a pot full of pure comfort. Just follow along, and you’ll see how easy it is to create something truly special.

Sautéing Aromatics and Browning Chicken

First things first, grab a nice big pot or a Dutch oven. We want to get that olive oil nice and hot over medium-high heat. Toss in your chicken pieces – make sure they’re bite-sized so they cook evenly. Let them brown up nicely on all sides; this adds a fantastic depth of flavor. Once they’re looking good, scoop them outta the pot and set them aside for a bit. Now, throw in your chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Let those veggies soften up, stirring every so often, for about 5 to 7 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re just starting to get tender. Then, add your minced garlic and those lovely sliced mushrooms. Cook them for another few minutes until the mushrooms are tender and just starting to turn golden brown. Yum!

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Simmering the Wild Rice and Chicken

Okay, time to bring it all together! Put that browned chicken back into the pot with all those flavorful veggies. Pour in your chicken broth, the uncooked wild rice blend, and those wonderful herbs – thyme and rosemary. Give it a good season with salt and pepper. Now, bring the whole beautiful mixture to a boil, then immediately turn the heat down to low. Cover up your pot and let it simmer away for a good 45 to 60 minutes. You want to let that wild rice get perfectly tender and soak up most of the liquid. Just give it a stir now and then so nothing sticks to the bottom. Patience is key here – that slow simmer is where all the magic happens.

Achieving the Creamy Texture

Almost there! Once the wild rice is tender and the soup has thickened up beautifully, it’s time for the creamy magic. Gently stir in your heavy cream or half-and-half. You just want to heat it through for a few minutes; it’s super important that you don’t let it boil after adding the cream, or it might separate and get a bit clumpy. Keep it on low and just let it warm up until the soup is perfectly heated. Taste it one last time and adjust the salt and pepper if you think it needs it. That’s it – pure, creamy deliciousness!

Tips for the Best Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup

You know, tweaking recipes is half the fun, and it makes them even better. Here are a few little secrets to make your creamy chicken wild rice soup absolutely perfect every time, building on that classic flavor. It’s all about those simple touches that make a big difference!

Ingredient Swaps and Customizations

Don’t have chicken breasts on hand? No problem! Rotisserie chicken is a lifesaver for saving time – just shred it and toss it in towards the end. You can also switch up the wild rice blend to your favorite kind, or even add other veggies like peas or corn. Sometimes I just throw in whatever leftover cooked veggies I have!

Achieving Perfect Creaminess

Want it even creamier? Right before you add the cream, take a sturdy spoon and mash about a quarter of the cooked wild rice against the side of the pot. This releases some starch and naturally thickens the soup beautifully. And remember that super important rule: once the cream is in, keep the heat low and don’t boil it. Just gentle warmth is key for that velvety smooth texture.

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Meal Prep and Storage for Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup

This soup is a total dream for anyone who loves to be prepared. You know, having delicious meals ready to go makes life so much easier, and this creamy chicken wild rice soup is perfect for that. It’s the kind of meal that you can make ahead and just pull out when you need it, almost like having your own personal meal planning service at home, but way more satisfying because you actually cooked it!

Freezing and Reheating Your Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup

If you’ve made a big batch (and you totally should!), it freezes beautifully. Just make sure it cools down completely before you scoop it into freezer-safe containers or sturdy bags. Label them with the date! When you’re ready for it, the best way to thaw it is overnight in the fridge. Then, just gently reheat it on the stovetop over low heat. Give it a stir now and then until it’s hot all the way through. Remember, don’t let it come to a rolling boil after the cream is in, no matter how you reheat it!

Frequently Asked Questions about Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Got questions? I’ve got answers! It’s totally normal to have a few when you’re trying a new recipe, especially one as comforting as this creamy chicken wild rice soup. I’ve collected some of the most common ones to help you out!

Is this Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup Gluten-Free?

You bet! If you stick to the recipe and use a wild rice blend that’s naturally gluten-free and make sure your chicken broth is certified gluten-free, then this soup is totally gluten-free. It’s one of those delicious meals that works for a lot of people!

Can I Make This Soup in a Slow Cooker?

Oh, you absolutely can! While I love the quickness of the stovetop, a slow cooker is great for hands-off cooking. You’d brown the chicken and sauté the veggies first (just like the recipe says) on the stove, then add everything *except* the cream to your slow cooker. Cook on low for about 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, then stir in the cream and heat through before serving. Just remember, don’t boil after adding the cream!

Nutritional Information for Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Just so you know, the exact nutritional breakdown can wiggle a bit depending on the brands you use and how you might tweak things, but here’s a general idea of what you get in a generous serving (about 1.5 cups) of this delicious soup. It’s pretty balanced, packed with protein, and just wonderfully satisfying without being too heavy.

• Calories: Approximately 450
• Fat: Around 20g
• Protein: About 30g
• Carbohydrates: Roughly 40g
• Fiber: Around 5g

It’s always good to remember these are estimates, but they give you a great picture of how nourishing this soup is!

Share Your Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup Experience

I’d absolutely LOVE to hear from you if you make this creamy chicken wild rice soup! Did you try any fun variations? Maybe you added some different herbs or swapped out the veggies? Let me know in the comments below, and please leave a rating if you enjoyed it! Sharing your experience helps other cooks feel more confident. You can also tag me on social media – I love seeing your delicious creations!

Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup

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A comforting and creamy chicken wild rice soup, perfect for cold weather. This recipe is easy to make on the stovetop and can be prepared ahead for meal planning.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time: 60 min
• Total Time: 80 min
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion (about 1 medium)
• 1 cup chopped carrots (about 2 medium)
• 1 cup chopped celery (about 2 ribs)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup uncooked wild rice blend
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.
2. Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add minced garlic and mushrooms to the pot. Cook for another 3-5 minutes, until mushrooms are tender and lightly browned.
4. Return the browned chicken to the pot. Add chicken broth, wild rice blend, thyme, and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45-60 minutes, or until the wild rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
6. Once the rice is cooked, stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half. Heat gently for a few minutes until the soup is heated through, but do not boil.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
8. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

• For a thicker soup, you can mash some of the cooked rice against the side of the pot before adding the cream.
• This soup freezes well. Let it cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop.
• You can substitute pre-cooked chicken for raw chicken to save time.
• For a gluten-free option, ensure your wild rice blend and chicken broth are certified gluten-free.
• This soup is a great option for meal planning, similar to the convenience offered by some meal delivery services.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1.5 cups
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 100mg