Print

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Print Recipe

A comforting and hearty Chicken and Wild Rice Soup featuring tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and a medley of vegetables in a creamy, savory broth. Perfect for chilly days, this easy-to-make soup combines simple ingredients to create a nutritious, family-friendly meal that soothes the soul and satisfies the appetite.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, chopped or shredded

Grains

  • 1 cup wild rice, rinsed

Vegetables

  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2–3 garlic cloves, minced

Liquids

  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream or milk

Herbs & Seasonings

  • 1–2 tsp fresh thyme or parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Variations

  • Oil or butter for sautéing
  • Cayenne pepper or jalapeños for spice
  • Additional veggies like kale, spinach, or peas
  • Dairy-free milk alternatives: coconut milk or almond milk

Instructions

  1. Prep and Sauté: Chop onions, carrots, and celery into bite-sized pieces. In a large pot, heat some oil or butter and sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant and translucent, building the aromatic base of the soup.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Add chicken breasts or thighs to the pot and cook until lightly browned on both sides to seal in flavor. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside to shred later.
  3. Build the Soup: Pour in the chicken broth, then add the rinsed wild rice, chopped carrots, and celery. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, cover, and cook for 40-50 minutes until wild rice is tender and vegetables are soft.
  4. Finish and Enrich: Shred the cooked chicken and add it back to the pot. Stir in the cream or milk gradually to achieve a velvety texture. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs like thyme or parsley to brighten the flavors.

Notes

  • Use leftover cooked chicken to save prep time.
  • Rinse wild rice before cooking to remove excess starch and improve texture.
  • Monitor rice cooking time to prevent mushiness.
  • Add cream gradually at the end to prevent curdling.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
  • To keep the soup creamy without dairy, use coconut or almond milk and consider blending some cooked vegetables.
  • If soup is too thick, thin it with extra broth, milk, or water when reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken soup, wild rice soup, creamy chicken soup, comfort food, hearty soup, gluten free soup

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/chicken-and-wild-rice-soup/